FULLERTON, California (Reuters) - A generation of children who learned to write on screens is now going old school.

Starting this year, California grade school students are required to learn cursive handwriting, after the skill had fallen out of fashion in the computer age.

Assembly Bill 446, sponsored by former elementary school teacher Sharon Quirk-Silva and signed into law in October, requires handwriting instruction for the 2.6 million Californians in grades one to six, roughly ages 6 to 12, and cursive lessons for the “appropriate” grade levels - generally considered to be third grade and above.

Experts say learning cursive improves cognitive development, reading comprehension and fine motor skills, among other benefits. Some educators also find value in teaching children to read historic documents and family letters from generations past.

  • @cm0002
    link
    3210 months ago

    There is

    former elementary school teacher Sharon Quirk-Silva

    Probably another old person who just can’t let the damn thing go.

    I learned cursive in the 3rd grade, the amount of times I’ve needed it (beyond a signature, even then it’s just a squiggle) is a whopping 0

    It would be much more suitable in a separate optional class like you said, a calligraphy class or more budget for art classes (Which is far more important IMO)

    • Uranium3006
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      fedilink
      110 months ago

      There’s no arguement for teaching cursive outside of old people’s sentimentality, and that’s worthless