At What Age Should Kids Start Learning Cursive Writing?

Writing is one of the most crucial skills a child can learn. Most children begin to learn to print letters, but many parents and teachers ask themselves — when should I begin to teach cursive? 

Cursive writing is not a decorative form of writing. It enables children to think quicker, write more legibly and even perform better in school. In this blog we will discuss the ideal age to begin cursive writing, how to assist your child in learning cursive writing, and which type of cursive writing book or cursive writing practice book is best for children.

What Is Cursive Writing?

Cursive writing is a style of handwriting in which all the letters in a word are joined together. You do not lift your pen up after each letter (as you do in print writing), but you move from letter to letter in one continuous motion. 

Imagine you are drawing a river, it never stops moving! 

Cursive writing is a style that has been in use for centuries. It is still used in signatures, greeting cards, personal letters, and various school activities today.

At What Age Should Kids Start Learning Cursive Writing?

Children are typically able to write in cursive at Grade 2 or 3 (between 7 and 8 years old). 

But each child is unique. Some children may be ready a bit sooner and some a bit later. The bottom line is to watch for readiness indicators (discussed in the next section). 

This is a simple age guide to understand the development of cursive writing:

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) states that fine motor skills for cursive writing are usually acquired by children at ages 7-8. (Source: AOTA Handwriting Resources)

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Signs Your Child Is Ready to Learn Cursive Writing

Before you begin a cursive writing practice book, see if your child exhibits these signs of readiness:

• Can print all the letters well
• Can use a pencil correctly without getting tired easily
• Knows letter spacing and lines
• Can write simple sentences in print
• Demonstrates curiosity about various types of writing
• Is able to coordinate hands and eyes (draw shapes and patterns)

If your child can do most of these, then they are likely ready to begin learning cursive!

Benefits of Learning Cursive Writing for Kids

Many ask — why teach cursive in the computer and smart phone era? 

The answer is easy: cursive writing is great for the brain! 

These are some of the key advantages:

According to a study published in Psychological Science (2014), students who handwrite (even cursive) information in their textbooks will learn and remember it better than students who type it. (Source: Mueller, P.A., & Oppenheimer, D.M., 2014)

How to Teach Cursive Writing Step by Step?

Cursive writing can be taught without being difficult or tedious. This is a simple step by step that is really great for kids: 

Step 1 — Begin with lowercase letters Lowercase cursive letters are the easiest to learn first. Use simple strokes with letters that have few strokes, such as l, e, i, u. 

Step 2 — Cluster similar letters together Some cursive letters have similar hand movements. Have them learn in groups:

• Loop letters: l, h, k, b, f

• Hump letters: m, n, v, w

• Oval letters: a, d, g, q, o, c

Step 3 — Practice daily (even 10 minutes a day!) Daily practice is preferable to one long session per week. Have your child use a cursive writing practice book to provide your child with guided lines and examples to follow. 

Step 4 — Uppercase letters When lowercase is comfortable, introduce uppercase cursive letters. 

Step 5 — Practice full words and sentences After learning the letters, practice making words and sentences. 

Step 6 — Have fun! Have children write their name in cursive, write a letter to a friend, or make a greeting card. Motivation matters!

Choosing the Right Cursive Writing Book or Practice Book

Choosing the right writing books for children can have a significant impact. A good cursive book should:

• Have clear letter examples at the top of each page
• Provide tracing practice before free writing
• Use simple words for practice sentences, appropriate to the child's age.
• Have dotted lines or guide lines to keep letters the right size
• Be fun and colourful to keep kids engaged

When selecting a cursive writing book, you should find books that have a progressive style — that is, they begin at a level that is easy for the child and gradually increase in difficulty as the child advances. 

Lil Legends is a brand that provides well designed writing books for children which are designed with the children in mind. Their books feature child-friendly fonts, engaging illustrations, and organized practice pages that transform the learning of cursive into an enjoyable activity. For those seeking educational and fun cursive writing practice books, Lil Legends is a good choice.

Summary

Below is a quick summary of all the content in this blog:

• Best age to start cursive writing: 7-8 years old (Grade 2-3)

• Readiness signs: Good print writing skills, pencil grip, good fine motor control.

• Top benefits: Better memory, faster writing, improved focus, brain development

• How to teach: Begin with lowercase letters, practice each day, use a good cursive writing book.

• Choosing the right book: Tracing exercises, guide lines, age appropriate content — Lil Legends writing books for kids are a good option

• Common mistakes: Letter size, disconnected letters, wrong slant — all correctable with practice.

Cursive writing is a beautiful and useful skill that will be with your child for life. Your child will be writing in flowing cursive before you know it with the right cursive writing practice book, a little patience and daily practice!