When should a child learn to write cursive?

Question

My second grader and I work constantly on his handwriting. All summer we worked on mastering writing upper and lower case print. He still occasionally gets his "b" and "d" confused, but he's made progress. His handwriting is improving, but I have been told by other parents that their kids were doing cursive.

In speaking with family who live in the UK and have a child the same age (and grade equivalent), I have been told she has been doing cursive since last year.

When is a child supposed to learn cursive? How long do I give my son to get printing letters properly before coaching him to start cursive? On one hand, I'm worried that if I push too fast without mastering printing, he'll struggle. But on the other hand, I get the impression we are really behind.

Answer 1

Personally as a mother who home schooled her oldest daughter from K-5 I believe that cursive should only be taught when print is pretty and a child is quite comfortable with it. Both my children are now both in a small mission school here in Romania that uses the Abeka curriculum and my youngest is in Kindergarden and is already writting in cursive.

Answer 2

My children's school still teaches Cursive, reading and writing. My Son learned it in 3rd grade, and taught his brother who was in 1st grade @ the time. We live in California, I don't know if that makes a difference or not, but I do know our state starts kindergarten for all children who will be 5 by December 31st. However, they are changing the regulation and will continue to over the next 3 years I believe for age requirement, I also know that the schools here where I reside have a very high standard for the children's education and requirements for passing onto the next grade level. I guess it really depends on where you live. The only changes that I am aware of are the children are learning to write in the style of "Modern (D’Nealian)" Something different than what I was taught. However what you have stated is truly sad, "writing" is a part of history. This should not be replaced by a computer. It's almost as if they are erasing braincells not creating more. It's ultimately doing more harm than good, when depending on a computer. How is a child to learn punctuation, proper sentences, correct spelling, etc? When the computer auto corrects everything, it's like a cell phone, no one remembers anyones' number, when they just look up the name, and the cell phone does the rest. Sad really, I vote you conduct a parent meeting, and fix what you can now, while you still can. EDIT: I also agree with the above statement, cursive is necessary, Especially when an adult is required to use their "Signature" on almost every document, DMV, Applications, Background Checks, Writing a Check, Using a credit card, Buying a home, Buying a car etc.)

Answer 3

My daughter's school started cursive in Kindergarten. They explained that it's an easy time for them to learn because they're hands are moving in a more natural motion (think scribbling) with all the loops and curves. Printing, on the other hand, forces them to use motor skills that can be harsh on developing muscles and nerves (think kung-fu death grip on a fatty pencil trying to maintain control over a line that, no matter how hard you try, just won't come out straight).

That doesn't mean he's behind though... alot of other schools in our area start around 3rd grade. I say, teach him both. Printing is only going to matter for the next year or so anyway... after that, all the teachers will want (and will grade) cursive.

Answer 4

I remember learning cursive when I was in second grade (remember because I sprained my arm that year and got behind). I found cursive to be easier then printing. Maybe your son will to. Introduce it to him and see what happens. If he picks it up go with it and you can work on printing with it as well. If he seems to struggle, just back off for now. I think kids all learn different things at different stages. I wouldn't be too concerned if you end up having to wait a little longer to work on it.

Answer 5

In my school, kids start learning cursive in third grade, and master it in fourth. I learned print in first, and focused on good handwriting in second, but all children go at different rates. Also, since I am figuring that you home-school, you would take a different amount of time, and you can work on it more if you feel you are really behind. Although I don't think you need to start on Cursive until third, but diffidently master print and good handwriting.

Answer 6

Normally children start cursive writing in 3rd grade. I don't think that kids are capable of doing much of cursive before then. I can understand your concern with your child's handwriting, but as long as you stay positive and work with him, he will sooner or later get better. Unfortunately, there are some kids out there who work and work at it and never have great penmanship. Don't stress - he'll be fine!

Answer 7

I suppose it may vary state to state, but I live in Oregon and my second grader has not learned cursive yet. I think My oldest learned in the 3rd grade, but to be honest she still prints. I do not think the teachers are pushing cursive as much any more, like it is a lost art, with the use of computers. I think you should continue to coach him in printing neatly, that is something he will always use.

Answer 8

my daughter is in second grade this year and they will start learning cursive in the second semester of 2nd grade.
I was a little surprised they were going to start this year. I remember I was in 3rd grade when we learned cursive.

Answer 9

I don't remember learning cursive until 3rd grade and not really having to write cursive all the time until 4th grade. Don't worry, I don't think you're behind.

Answer 10

In the UK there really isn't a big difference. Printing separate letters, kids are encouraged to put the little start and end tails on them from very early on, and from that point they start to join up naturally.

All the kids in my son's class started doing "joined up" handwriting practice in year 2. That's age 6-7. But some don't use it in their normal writing for ages after that. My daughter's only just started writing joined-up as a matter of course this year, and she's 11 (and in a top academic school). We were concerned about it on her school entrance exam, but they don't seem to have cared, since she got in :)