My 4 year old enjoys writing in cursive. Does she need to continue manuscript?

Question

She has very neat cursive and manuscript handwriting. Is it ok for her to practice cursive from now on?

Answer 1

It may make her stand out a little when she starts school, but there is nothing wrong with it, as long as she recognizes manuscript with ease. You may want to explain to her that when she starts school she may be expected to use manuscript. Remember that practically everything she will read will be written in manuscript.

On the other side of the coin, my daughter, who is now 28 years old with a degree, has never learned cursive and has only ever used manuscript. My personal opinion is that unless children find cursive easy and want to learn it, in today's world it is unnecessary. In your daughter's case, if she enjoys it, go for it.

Answer 2

It's good that she has neat cursive, but she's going to need to learn how to print when it comes to filling out forms (later in life). I believe it's ok, as long as you practice manuscript, since it is easier to read than cursive.

Answer 3

She should know how to form all of her letters in manuscript. When she starts school her teachers may want her to use manuscript at least some of the time since most children cannot read cursive writing at first. I teach first grade and most of my first graders cannot read cursive writing. Many love trying to write in cursive though. I allow the children who form their letters correctly to write their names in cursive. I haven't had any who came to me already writing in cursive.

Answer 4

She should practice both. When she does go into school, they will want her to start out with just manuscript. So you don't want to have any problems with her refusing to not write cursive.

Answer 5

Yes, that's great, and she should also learn to print, because it uses a different set of skills and will help her develop a well rounded education. I taught myself cursive when I was 5. I did it to overcome dyslexia. I was not allowed to write cursive at school until third grade. I was forced to learn printing and have never regretted learning that skill.

Answer 6

Let her write in cursive I think. I have enjoyed cursive since I learned it at age 7 or so. It is way faster since you don't have to lift the pen as much. She should learn both I think.

Answer 7

I wouldn't see a problem with it. So few of us have that talent. My cursive writing is terrible.

When I took the GRE, I had to write a statement agreeing to maintain standards of academic honesty by copying a line in text and writing it in cursive. I remember thinking: "crap", and I fudged it, as there were letters I could not remember how to do. :)

Answer 8

That is good Though i now somebody that since they did cursive soo much, now all they can write in is in cursive so both ways

Answer 9

The first few years of school they only allow manuscript so better get her use to it. Thats pretty advanced for a 4 year old. Good Job!

Answer 10

Yes let her continue. My children never printed they went straight to cursive writing.