Do Kids Really Need to Learn Cursive?

Written By: The Good and the Beautiful Published On:

Is learning cursive really necessary? You might be surprised by Jenny’s answer. In this blog post and video, she shares some of the benefits of learning cursive and how The Good and the Beautiful handwriting courses’ unique approach makes teaching and learning cursive easy and enjoyable for everyone!

Considering the fact that I developed an award-winning cursive handwriting program used across the world, you might be surprised to know that I don’t think learning cursive writing is a must. On a list of the most important things to teach your kids, I would actually not put cursive near the top. However, there is something beautiful about teaching our children classic writing skills, and there are some great benefits to cursive writing.

1. Cursive writing is good for the brain.

Unlike print handwriting, cursive handwriting activates both hemispheres of the brain. It can help create strong neural connections, especially in areas of our brain associated with language processing, memory, and fine motor skills. Cursive increases the use of particular parts of the brain not accessed through basic reading and printing exercises.

Ways Cursive Helps Brain Development

  • Crossing over the brain midline
  • Language processing
  • Memory
  • Fine motor skills
Boy practicing cursive handwriting

2. Cursive is truly a beautiful but nearly lost art form.

Cursive is truly a beautiful but nearly lost art form. Students who don’t learn cursive run the risk of being unable to read or write signatures, read letters or journals from grandparents, or, most importantly, to read important historical documents. Imagine receiving a birthday card from your grandma but being unable to read it.

Constitution of the United States of America

Benefits of Knowing Cursive

  • Read and write signatures
  • Read letters from loved ones
  • Read historical documents

3. Cursive writing can help students with learning challenges.

Lastly, cursive writing can dramatically help students with learning challenges such as dyslexia and dysgraphia. So is it worth the effort? I definitely think so, especially because it is easy and fun to do with our simple, step-by-step program that uses colored dots to lead the child instead of a bunch of scrunched-up numbers around the letters. But, if cursive handwriting just did not happen for your kids, you don’t need to feel bad. There are much more important things to worry about. However, it is not too late for a child, or even you as an adult, to pick up the beautiful art form of cursive handwriting.

  • Two children sitting at a table writing in their handwriting notebooks with pencils | The Good and the Beautiful

Cursive Handwriting Books

Swipe in mobile

  • Handwriting Level 3 Cover | The Good and the Beautiful

    Handwriting Workbook: Level 3

    Sample Pages
    $15.99
    $15.99
    Product Details
  • Handwriting Level 4 Cover | The Good and the Beautiful

    Handwriting Workbook: Level 4

    Sample Pages
    $15.99
    $15.99
    Product Details
  • Handwriting Level 5 Cover | The Good and the Beautiful

    Handwriting Workbook: Level 5

    Sample Pages
    $15.99
    $15.99
    Product Details
  • Handwriting Level 6 Cover | The Good and the Beautiful

    Handwriting Workbook: Level 6

    Sample Pages
    $15.99
    $15.99
    Product Details
  • Handwriting Level 7 Cover | The Good and the Beautiful

    Handwriting Workbook: Level 7

    Sample Pages
    $15.99
    $15.99
    Product Details

Proper Pencil Grip

  • A mother with her arms wrapping around her son as she helps him with his pencil grip as he practices in his handwriting book | The Good and the Beautiful

  • Learn how and why to teach correct pencil grip in this blog post and accompanying video from Jenny Phillips, founder of The Good and the Beautiful homeschool curriculum.
Learn More about Pencil Grip
  • Handwriting Covers | The Good and the Beautiful

You may also like . . .

  • Kindergarten Sight Words with a blue cloudy sky background and butterflies | The Good and the Beautiful
  • Follow The Good and the Beautiful on Facebook
  • Follow The Good and the Beautiful on Instagram
  • Follow The Good and the Beautiful on Pinterest
  • Follow The Good and the Beautiful on Youtube
  • Follow The Good and the Beautiful on TikTok

Join the Discussion

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

1 comment

McKenna McCue

This is amazing I appreciate all you have created and done for homeschool parents who can’t afford much! I homeschooled pre k and kindergarten on my own with my daughter and she did great but I was a bit messy. And then I tried online public school for first grade and it is insane what they are piling on a 6 or 7 year old in California public schools now a days! So I am about to pull her out and begin homeschooling again but I wanted to find a Bible truth based curriculum to follow for lesson planning and came across your website! ♥️ I look forward to purchasing some of the physical books and lessons as soon as I can and I greatly appreciate the free samples in the meantime!

Related Posts

  • How Dads Do Homeschool

    How Dads Do Homeschool

    Wondering how dads do homeschool? In this post we explore the many ways homeschool dads contribute to their children’s education and character.

    How Dads Do Homeschool

    Wondering how dads do homeschool? In this post we explore the many ways homeschool dads contribute to their children’s education and character.

    Read more
  • Homeschool Requirements

    Homeschool Requirements

    One of the first questions many parents ask when they begin to consider homeschooling is this: What are my state’s homeschooling requirements?  Learn about the requirements and where to find...

    Homeschool Requirements

    One of the first questions many parents ask when they begin to consider homeschooling is this: What are my state’s homeschooling requirements?  Learn about the requirements and where to find...

    Read more
  • How Much Does Homeschooling Cost?

    How Much Does Homeschooling Cost?

    Many families are drawn to homeschooling for a variety of meaningful reasons. For some families, it offers a more personalized approach, allowing learning to grow around a child's individual pace,...

    How Much Does Homeschooling Cost?

    Many families are drawn to homeschooling for a variety of meaningful reasons. For some families, it offers a more personalized approach, allowing learning to grow around a child's individual pace,...

    Read more
  • What Is a Subordinating Conjunction?

    What Is a Subordinating Conjunction?

    Find answers to frequently asked questions about subordinating conjunctions in this blog post. Learn about subordinating conjunctions and how they are different from coordinating conjunctions. Download a free list of...

    What Is a Subordinating Conjunction?

    Find answers to frequently asked questions about subordinating conjunctions in this blog post. Learn about subordinating conjunctions and how they are different from coordinating conjunctions. Download a free list of...

    Read more
  • What Are Being Verbs?

    What Are Being Verbs?

    Find answers to frequently asked questions about being verbs in this blog post. Learn about being verbs and how they are different from action verbs. Download a free list of...

    What Are Being Verbs?

    Find answers to frequently asked questions about being verbs in this blog post. Learn about being verbs and how they are different from action verbs. Download a free list of...

    Read more
  • What Are Prepositions?

    What Are Prepositions?

    Find answers to frequently asked questions about prepositions in this blog post. Learn about prepositions and how to answer your child’s grammar questions concerning prepositions. Download a free list of...

    What Are Prepositions?

    Find answers to frequently asked questions about prepositions in this blog post. Learn about prepositions and how to answer your child’s grammar questions concerning prepositions. Download a free list of...

    Read more
  • Are Homeschoolers Too Sheltered?

    Are Homeschoolers Too Sheltered?

    Many parents struggle with the question of how much to shelter their children from the difficulties and trials in life. Homeschool families are no exception. Are homeschoolers too sheltered? Jenny...

    Are Homeschoolers Too Sheltered?

    Many parents struggle with the question of how much to shelter their children from the difficulties and trials in life. Homeschool families are no exception. Are homeschoolers too sheltered? Jenny...

    Read more
  • Months of the Year
    47 comments

    Months of the Year

    Learning the months of the year is easy with this adorable "Months of the Year" song that takes children through the changing seasons. Keep reading for fun activities to do...

    47 comments

    Months of the Year

    Learning the months of the year is easy with this adorable "Months of the Year" song that takes children through the changing seasons. Keep reading for fun activities to do...

    Read more
  • Days of the Week
    8 comments

    Days of the Week

    Learning the names of the days is easy with this simple Days of the Week song from The Good and the Beautiful. Find fun ways to practice putting the days...

    8 comments

    Days of the Week

    Learning the names of the days is easy with this simple Days of the Week song from The Good and the Beautiful. Find fun ways to practice putting the days...

    Read more
  • Top 5 Tips for Homeschool Planning
    27 comments

    Top 5 Tips for Homeschool Planning

    Summer is the perfect time to plan ahead! In this blog post and short video, Jenny Phillips shares her top five tips for simple, yet effective planning for the next...

    27 comments

    Top 5 Tips for Homeschool Planning

    Summer is the perfect time to plan ahead! In this blog post and short video, Jenny Phillips shares her top five tips for simple, yet effective planning for the next...

    Read more
  • Tips for Managing Summer Screen Time

    Tips for Managing Summer Screen Time

    It’s easy for screens to consume your child's time, especially during the summer months. Jenny Phillips addresses this all-too-common dilemma facing families today. Find practical screen-free tips on how to...

    Tips for Managing Summer Screen Time

    It’s easy for screens to consume your child's time, especially during the summer months. Jenny Phillips addresses this all-too-common dilemma facing families today. Find practical screen-free tips on how to...

    Read more
  • Tips for Limiting Screen Time
    3 comments

    Tips for Limiting Screen Time

    Technology brings a wealth of information to our fingertips, but overuse of screen time has become an issue for many families. Jenny Phillips shares her family’s journey to limiting screen...

    3 comments

    Tips for Limiting Screen Time

    Technology brings a wealth of information to our fingertips, but overuse of screen time has become an issue for many families. Jenny Phillips shares her family’s journey to limiting screen...

    Read more
  • Homeschooling Year-Round vs Traditional
    10 comments

    Homeschooling Year-Round vs Traditional

    Is a traditional or year-round homeschool schedule best for your family? Watch this video from The Good and the Beautiful YouTube channel to find out some benefits and drawbacks of...

    10 comments

    Homeschooling Year-Round vs Traditional

    Is a traditional or year-round homeschool schedule best for your family? Watch this video from The Good and the Beautiful YouTube channel to find out some benefits and drawbacks of...

    Read more
  • Is Sentence Diagramming Necessary for Learning Grammar?

    Is Sentence Diagramming Necessary for Learning ...

    Sentence diagramming can be a grammar exercise students either love or run from. Sit down with Jenny Phillips in this video and blog post as she discusses how and why...

    Is Sentence Diagramming Necessary for Learning ...

    Sentence diagramming can be a grammar exercise students either love or run from. Sit down with Jenny Phillips in this video and blog post as she discusses how and why...

    Read more
  • What Is a Solar Eclipse?

    What Is a Solar Eclipse?

    Witnessing a total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most. Learn all about total solar eclipses and how to safely view one. Then download directions for a fun solar...

    What Is a Solar Eclipse?

    Witnessing a total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for most. Learn all about total solar eclipses and how to safely view one. Then download directions for a fun solar...

    Read more
  • Is The Good and the Beautiful Math Rigorous?
    2 comments

    Is The Good and the Beautiful Math Rigorous?

    Is The Good and the Beautiful Math Rigorous? What is rigor in mathematics, and is Simply Good and Beautiful Math rigorous enough? A rigorous homeschool math course teaches more than...

    2 comments

    Is The Good and the Beautiful Math Rigorous?

    Is The Good and the Beautiful Math Rigorous? What is rigor in mathematics, and is Simply Good and Beautiful Math rigorous enough? A rigorous homeschool math course teaches more than...

    Read more
  • Count to 15

    Count to 15

    Teach children how to count to 15 through music and illustration with our delightful video on The Good and the Beautiful Kids Channel on YouTube. Then keep reading for more...

    Count to 15

    Teach children how to count to 15 through music and illustration with our delightful video on The Good and the Beautiful Kids Channel on YouTube. Then keep reading for more...

    Read more
  • Count by 10's
    1 comment

    Count by 10's

    Counting by 10's is an easy pattern to introduce to children once they have mastered counting by 1's. Print the free download. Then sing along with the children in this...

    1 comment

    Count by 10's

    Counting by 10's is an easy pattern to introduce to children once they have mastered counting by 1's. Print the free download. Then sing along with the children in this...

    Read more
  • The Good and the Beautiful Science: What It’s All About
    1 comment

    The Good and the Beautiful Science: What It’s A...

    Science is an important part of any homeschool education, but our team believes homeschool science curriculum should be fun and inspiring too! Our best-selling science units make science exciting to...

    1 comment

    The Good and the Beautiful Science: What It’s A...

    Science is an important part of any homeschool education, but our team believes homeschool science curriculum should be fun and inspiring too! Our best-selling science units make science exciting to...

    Read more