On why we “Cursive”
Curse the Cursive? Keep writing, you’ll be glad you did
artist: Gr. 7 student M. Scharlack
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, many of you will be pulling out your rusty cursive skills to write that perfect letter for the one you love. Hand written means that you put some thought into it, taking the time to tell your love interest how you couldn’t live without them.
While the unromantic will bemoan cursive and declare it a dying art, even the most pragmatic teacher at Waldorf will disagree. So we asked them why learning cursive is crucial. Below are their top reasons why schools need to keep it flowing through the curriculum.
As you write that letter speaking from the heart, remember that your brain is at work too.
Here are some top reasons learning cursive remains important for communication and knowledge retention, drawing on cognitive science, education research, and classroom practice:
1. Stronger Memory & Knowledge Retention
Writing in cursive engages multiple areas of the brain at once—motor control, language, and memory. Studies show students remember information better when they write by hand rather than type, and cursive’s continuous motion deepens this effect by reinforcing neural pathways linked to recall.
2. Improved Reading Comprehension
Learning cursive strengthens letter recognition and word formation, which supports reading fluency. Because cursive letters are connected, students learn to process words as complete units rather than isolated letters—an important skill for comprehension.
3. Enhanced Cognitive Development
Cursive requires planning, sequencing, and fine motor coordination. This helps develop:
Executive functioning
Focus and sustained attention
Spatial awareness
These skills transfer directly to problem-solving, math reasoning, and higher-order thinking.
4. Faster, More Fluid Writing
Once mastered, cursive allows students to write more quickly and efficiently than print. This helps learners keep pace with their thoughts, improving note-taking, creative writing, and idea development—especially important in upper grades.
5. Deeper Conceptual Processing
Because cursive slows writing just enough, it encourages students to process ideas more thoughtfully rather than transcribe verbatim. This supports synthesis, summarizing, and critical thinking—key components of meaningful learning.
6. Builds Confidence & Personal Expression
Cursive gives students a distinct personal voice in their writing. Mastery often leads to increased pride, confidence, and ownership of learning—important motivators for long-term academic engagement.
7. Access to Cultural & Historical Literacy
Much of the world’s historical record—letters, journals, founding documents—is written in cursive. Learning it allows students to read primary sources directly, deepening their connection to history and human experience.
8. Strengthens Hand–Brain Connection
The flowing movements of cursive reinforce the hand–brain link, which is essential for learning in early and middle childhood. This embodied learning supports both intellectual and emotional development.
9. Supports Students with Learning Differences
Research shows cursive can benefit students with:
Dyslexia (letters are less likely to be reversed)
ADHD (continuous motion improves focus)
Fine-motor challenges (fewer starts and stops than printing)
10. Balances Digital Learning
In a screen-dominated world, cursive offers a vital counterbalance—helping students develop patience, presence, and intentionality, all of which support long-term learning and well-being.
