The end of the written word?

Most parents have come to the realization that handwriting in schools is now

dead.

We surrender to a more mechanical, non-human expression of ourselves.

Will a simple handwritten note look like hieroglyphics to the next generation?

Many studies show a direct correlation between writing and intelligence.

Writing by hand forces the person to slow down and reflect their thoughts, thus

enhancing the learning process.  The written word reveals our individuality, our

culture and ultimately our soul.

Philip Hensher's "The Missink Ink : The Lost Art of Handwriting, and Why it Still

Matters"gives an eloquent argument for writing to remain a part of our lives.  He

writes,"Ink runs in our veins, and shows the world what we are like."  Hensher

pays tribute to the warmth and personality of the handwritten love note,

postcards sent home, and daily diary entries.

Everyone should rediscover the joy of writing. Our schools should reinstate it.

Individual states such as California include manuscript in grade 2 and cursive in

grades 3 and 4.  Massachusetts also include cursive in their standards; they

require legible handwriting(either manuscript or cursive) in fourth grade.

Unfortunately, our culture demands everything be test and assessment ready.

Should our local schools reintroduce handwriting to our students?  Let us know.

We as parents can take a stand and shape our children's future.