Homeschooling Resources: Academic Resources

Handwriting: Teaching Cursive with Home Education
By Mimi Rothschild

It's true that keyboarding skills have eclipsed cursive in terms of importance in the workplace. This is something that we old-timers have to come to terms with. However, that doesn't mean that our students should not focus on cursive in the home education environment as well. We write notes, checks, memos, and letters every day. Just because the computer is the primary method of communication these days doesn't mean that home educators should drop cursive from their curriculum. Learning cursive can help students develop their fine motor skills and understanding of the written word. In truth, no home education is complete without a study of cursive.

Students need to learn the three major elements of cursive home education: letter formation, letter size, and letter slant, in that order. Start off with formation by handing each child a guide as to how each letter should look. Then give them a writing sample that has been purposefully written with poor formation. Have the students correct the writing sample with help from the guide. When it comes to spacing, you can use a Popsicle stick or the “two fingers rule” to ensure consistent spacing. Slant is a little trickier. You can actually slant the page underneath the child's hands to encourage a good angle of writing. Draw lines through each letter to encourage symmetry and consistent angles.

Don't get hung up on your child's individual style. Some kids will opt for a squat letters and others more breezy, tall letters. Whatever the case it's not a big deal as long as the child's writing remains consistent and legible, style should be encouraged.