My daughter had a birthday a few weeks ago and my husband offered to go to the store and pick out a few cards. I told him we could just send her an e-card because it was easier and would save the postage. He turned to me and said, “Yes, but how long will she keep her e-card compared to how she will treasure a handwritten card?” I had to stop and think a moment and realize how right he was. It seems the importance of handwriting has been lost on this newer generation, hasn’t it? When my husband and I were growing up, virtually everything was handwritten. We sent thank you notes, cards for any occasion and love notes! What happened to writing a love note? My kids rarely do handwriting in school as many of their note taking, etc is done on their computer or tablet. We make our kids sit down to do thank you notes, but it’s such a rare occasion that anyone just sends handwritten notes in the mail! Even passing notes has turned to texting… The kids’ school doesn’t actually instruct how to write cursive anymore. It’s sad. This post is brought to you by our friends at Bic to spread the word about the Fight for Your Write campaign. Opinions are my own.
It seems Bic feels the same way I do and they have a new campaign to save handwriting. You can go to the Bic Fight For Your Write webpage and sign their pledge. You can read about the BIC mission to save handwriting and the facts about the importance of handwriting. For example, did you know…
Taking notes by hand leads to better comprehension of the subject.
When writing, drawing, or tracing by hand, children stimulate and use more parts of the brain.
Graphology, or the study of one’s handwriting, can reveal many things about your personality.
When you read, it is like breathing and when you write, it is like exhaling.
Writing fiction as a young person can stimulate your imagination, which stimulates brain activity.
Do you want to inspire your children to learn the importance of handwriting? Here are a few tips to get them excited about writing:
Set aside specific times for your kids to write stories, songs or even jokes.
Offer your kids an assortment of colorful pens, BIC Mechanical Pencils with exciting colors or markers to encourage kids to want to spend more time writing.
You can make writing special for kids by giving them their own writing space!
Give your kids a fun assignment that requires them to write like a birthday wish list or a letter to someone famous.
Make up games around writing. Practice signing their autograph to give to mom or dad.
When you sign the pledge, you will be entered for a chance to win a $1,200 BIC Prize Pack to help bring back the importance of handwriting more at home. In addition, to celebrate BIC Mechanical Pencil’s 30th anniversary BIC will be having “surprise 30th birthday” Sweepstakes. The Mechanical Pencil 30th Birthday Sweepstakes will be running on the BIC Pen Pals Facebook Page. There will be a giveaway on 8/6, 8/16, 8/28 and 9/10.
Compensation was provided by BIC via MomTrends Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of BIC or MomTrends Media. #BICFightForYourWrite
lena says
It is sad. And if anyone told me that kids won’t be thought calligraphy when I was a kid, I would of never believed that.
Rachel Everheart says
Fight for write indeed! I remember my Mom teaching me about cursive and the art of having good penmanship. Am so glad I took the effort to learn. And its certainly something I plan on teaching both my kids as well!
Tiffany Cruz says
My little girl learned cursive in the 1st grade. I was so happy that her school taught her. It’s a private school though. Wish they still taught it in public school. I hope handwriting survives the tech world we are all living in.
Ty @ Mama of 3 Munchkins says
I am so happy that my kids love to write (and their cursive is pretty impressive). I use to write all the time (I have very unique handwriting) but my hand always cramps up so I don’t write like I use to.
Sabrina says
I used to have great handwriting and noticed mine has gotten worse as I write less and less!
Aimee Smith says
I love this! When my mom was younger she used to spend her summer inventing new handwriting for the following year. Makes me laugh, but how fun!
dawn says
i cant believe they took cursive out the schools. when my friend told me that i was speechless. its just sad.
Ann Bacciaglia says
I bought journals for my kids to write in. I asked them if they could do handwriting when they wrote in them. It has been a great way for them to practice.
Aubrey says
Writing things really does help with retention. They no longer teach cursive in schools.
Seattle Travel Blogger says
I still love to handwrite a lot of my plans for the blog in a planner. I know that computers have made writing less prominent, but I don’t think it will ever go away.
Felicita Moncada says
Totally agree! I was talking to a co-worker and she said her daughter isn’t even learning cursive! I started writing in script when I was in the 4th grade. Makes me so sad.
Vera Sweeney says
I never realized how we have been just brushing off handwritten things with how easy it is to use technology!! I know my kids love when they get cards like this!
Shauna says
I sure think we have. I mean, it was part of our grade when I was in school, yet it doesn’t count in little man’s school. It is very frustrating to me.
Ashley Sears says
My son has the worst handwriting and I know it is because he does not practice it enough. I think this is a brilliant campaign.
Amber Edwards says
I think handwriting is so important. It is something they aren’t teaching in my kid’s schools much anymore. It’s all about typing. But I think there is a lot lost without teaching kids good handwriting.
Stacie says
Save handwriting! I can’t believe they are not teaching it in schools here. It’s important!!!!
Amy says
I think handwritten things are amazing. I love writing out all my blogger notes by hand because nothing compares to me.
Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations says
It is incredibly important! I really hope that it doesn’t go away and I am glad to see companies fighting for it to stay.
Dawn says
Handwriting is a dying art. I can’t believe they aren’t teaching it anymore!
Jennifer says
You know, it blows my mind that they aren’t teaching cursive anymore. My nephew will be 14 tomorrow, and the only thing he can write in cursive is his name.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
Hand writing is totally a dying art. I need to write more so my hand cramps less when I do!