Yesterday was National Handwriting Day, a day to remember cursive handwriting. New Jersey is recognizing this fact, and in the days where cursive may or may not be taught, the fact that cursive writing is not being taught in some locales is not a good thing! A certain part of the brain is not being activated: and just like wisdom teeth losing their usefulness over centuries, losing parts of the brain should not be endorsed by any parent. . .

𝓐𝓪𝓑𝓫𝓒𝓬𝓓𝓭𝓔𝓮𝓕𝓯𝓖𝓰𝓗𝓱𝓘𝓲𝓙𝓳𝓚𝓴𝓛𝓵𝓜𝓶𝓝

📚 A Day to Remember the Importance of Handwriting:
National Handwriting Day is a day to serve as an invitation to engage in the practice of writing by hand. The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association highlights this occasion as an opportunity for individuals to rediscover the authenticity and significance of handwriting.

Cursive alphabetCursive alphabet

📙 Technology & Convenience: Centuries Before Computers:
Although technology accelerates the writing process and enhances global communication efficiency, there remains significant value in the practice of writing thoughts by hand. Be it in the form of a journal, notes, or a letter to an individual, the act of using pen and paper is an inherently tangent and deliberate endeavor. This practice compels both the body and the mind to decelerate and realign.

📖 The Present Maybe Too Instantaneous:
In just a few moments, letters and words materialize as we engage in texting or emailing with no time to correct a mistaken send. Telephones convey our voices instantaneously. Once expressed, those words cannot be retrieved. In contrast, writing by hand resembles taking a deep breath. Disordered thoughts need to be organized before the ink touches the blank page. Each thought must be significant and deserving of the space it will occupy. This process is an act of faith and necessitates practice as well.

D’Nealian Cursive courtesy of Openverse

👨‍🏫 Activities Where Handwriting Cannot be Replaced:
Regardless of your level of experience or skill in handwriting, we invite you to share a handwritten message with us. Here are some activities whereby handwriting is needed:

• Signature
• Journaling (old-school)
• Composing a handwritten letter
• Composing a greeting card
• Crafting a short story or poem
• Calligraphy
• Creating a to-do list
• Making your shopping list
• Leaving a special note
• Making a handwritten sticky note
• Paying by check
• Expressing gratitude with your server with a tip
• Leaving a handwritten note for someone at work
• Dry erase (chalk) board at a meeting/symposium/class
• Writing in a workbook

📘 Evolving a Day to Celebrate Handwriting:
National Handwriting Day was founded by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association in 1977 with the aim of encouraging the use of pens, pencils, and writing paper. January 23^rd was selected for this observance as it marks the birthday of John Hancock, who was the first individual to sign the Declaration of Independence with that lovely and exquisite signature.

Cursive fonts from Draughtsman’s Alphabets by Hermann Esser (1845–1908). Digitally enhanced from our own 5th edition of the publication courtesy of Openverse

📙 Printed or Cursive:
Cursive and printed letters each provide distinct advantages. While both contribute to the development of fine motor skills, cursive writing is generally more effective in this regard. Nevertheless, printed letters are more commonly utilized across various mediums. Publications such as books, newspapers, forms, and websites predominantly employ a printed or block style. This format is also easier to read, which accounts for its widespread application. In cursive writing, spacing between words occurs naturally, whereas in printed text, the separation of individual letters can occasionally lead to words appearing merged.

🔖 Always Room for Improvement:
A reliable method to enhance your handwriting is through consistent practice. Engage in writing tasks such as lists, letters, or a poetry journal. By dedicating time to write daily, you will observe a noticeable improvement in your handwriting skills. We need to keep that part of the brain activated, or suffer loss of a part of the brain–Never a good thing!

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Handwriting courtesy of Openverse

National Handwriting Day