School curriculum has certainly changed over the years. Where once pencils and pens were used, tablets and computers have become more common. Where math was once solved by writing out the process, calculators are used. Though some of us prefer if we’re honest. But one thing that is waning in the face of technology is penmanship. This is something California Gov. Gavin Newsom is looking to change. On October 13th, Newsome signed a bill into law that would reintroduce cursive writing into school curriculums.
AB 446 will require the teaching of cursive writing from first to sixth grade. Which will be new for some teachers as well as students. There’s a surprising amount of people that can’t write well and others that can’t read cursive whatsoever. But the problem with letting it fall by the wayside is actually a detriment to development. Penmanship and cursive is extremely beneficial to development that’s backed by Abigail Soriano-Lentz, English Language Arts Curriculum Coordinator for the East Side Union High School District.
“Handwriting actually activates different parts of the brain that do not get activated when printing block letters or typing,” she said. “For thirteen years our teacher education programs have said cursive is not part of the standards so we have quite a chunk of teachers who have not taught it and who haven’t needed to teach it and some who probably were not taught it themselves.”
Reviving a Dying Art
To say nothing of the fact that cursive writing is a dying art form. Napa Calligrapher Victoria Lara went as far as starting her Blossom and Ink Studio. Which teaches and provides calligraphy for special events. Claiming it’s an art worth preserving, and says that children will find passions if they interest them. And that extends to forms of writing.
“If it’s something they truly love and truly are passionate about – they’ll continue exploring that even years down the line,” Lara said. “For myself it’s been years since I practiced it in the classroom but now being able to have that as my business, it just makes me so happy.”
We’ll let you know when the requirement is reintroduced to schools.
