Computers have become such a fundamental part of our lives that it is easy to forget that we ever managed without them.
The ubiquity of technology has meant that some long-established practices are falling by the wayside in favour of modern day conveniences.
Just take handwriting, for example. Children today can come into contact with a computer and keyboard at such a young age, that the humble pencil can struggle to get the attention it deserves.
However, for all the benefits that computers have given us, there are still plenty of valid reasons to practise handwriting at home. You can find five of them below:
It’s good for the brain
Learning to write by hand is a crucial stage of a child’s development, but it is being threatened by the uptake of computers in the home. Research carried out by National Pen found that 60 percent of teachers believe that they could teach handwriting more effectively in school if they had more help from parents at home. And studies have indicated that more practice with a pen in hand can also help to focus the mind. The physical act of writing engages the brain in a way that typing on a keyboard does not, aiding with reading, spelling and even maths.
It helps you retain information
Taking notes is a vital part of the learning process, no matter how old you are, and it seems writing by hand could prove beneficial when it comes to knowledge retention. A distinct neural pathway is created when we physically draw out our letters, which is connected to the way that we learn and memorise information. So if you’ve got a big test coming up, it might just be better to write out your notes the old fashioned way before you reach for your keyboard.
It’s creative
Handwriting is not just a way of jotting down information, it is a creative pursuit in its own right. Calligraphy, for example, has taken writing and turned it into a visual artform, one that is extremely soothing and rewarding to practise. Even if your handwriting is not the best, however, getting your children to write at home remains a great way of stimulating their imagination. Instead of simply getting them to trace out the alphabet, why not let them use handwriting as a creative outlet, by encouraging to write down a story that they’ve thought of.
It’s portable
Although laptops are getting smaller and lighter, they still can’t compete with the portability of a pen or pencil. You never know when you might need to jot something down, but you certainly won’t have your computer with you all the time. Practising how to write by hand means that you won’t have to rely on technology if you need to make a quick note or two.
Avoiding repetitive strain injury
Unlike writing with a pen, the use of a keyboard has encouraged some bad habits when it comes to our posture. It makes us much more likely to slouch or hunch over, which comes with associated health issues. There are ways to avoid repetitive strain injury when typing on a keyboard, but it’s better still to grab a pen instead whenever you need to write something down.
