In this digital age, it can be easy to overlook the benefits of handwritten communication for children. We’re so accustomed to sending emails, texts, and messages on social media that we often forget how beneficial handwriting can be for children. Learning to write by hand can help young people develop cognitive skills and enhance their creativity in a unique way. benefits of handwritten communication for children
In addition, when it comes to children and their relationships with friends and family members, handwritten communication can be especially helpful in fostering bonds. Let’s take a look at why handwriting is still an important part of developing cognition and strengthening relationships.
Enhancing Cognitive Skills
A fascinating online article in Neurosciencenews.com titled “Why Writing by Hand Makes Kids Smarter“, outlines why national guidelines should be put into place to ensure children have minimum handwriting training to encourage cognitive development. Younger learners might start practicing these skills with alphabet handwriting workbooks or even LCD writing tablets.
Writing by hand requires complex motor skills and strengthens memory, concentration, and problem-solving abilities. The physical act of writing can help young people to record their thoughts, feelings, aspirations, ideas, and stories. As children learn to write, they are also developing their fine motor skills. This will help them later with more intricate tasks like tying shoelaces or buttoning up shirts. They are also strengthening their neural pathways which will help them learn tasks like reading and writing with more ease.
Creating Connections Between the Brain and Emotions
Writing by hand also helps create connections between the brain and emotions. When writing down memories and experiences, children are encouraged to reflect on how the events made them feel which will help them develop emotional intelligence. They can also start to recognize patterns between their thoughts and emotions that will stay with them into adulthood.
A very interesting article by Patty McGee in “We Are Teachers” called “How We Can Use Writing Time to Nurture SEL Skills” outlines how writing can powerfully assist in developing Emotional Intelligence and resiliency. This is a wonderful reason to encourage handwritten communication in itself.
Building Confidence
In an age where technology is king, handwriting allows children to create something tangible that they can be proud of—something that exists outside of the digital world. When kids see the results of all their hard work—the perfect penmanship letters or colorful drawings—it builds confidence in their ability to create something beautiful from scratch. This sense of accomplishment is invaluable for young children as it helps build self-esteem and pride in their work.
Handwriting allows kids to create something tangible that they can be proud of. When kids take the time to write out their thoughts and feelings, they make connections between their thoughts and emotions. Seeing the results of all their hard work helps them develop a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work, which ultimately builds self-esteem and confidence.
Expressing Creativity
Handwritten communication gives children an outlet for self-expression that cannot be found online or on social media platforms. It offers a unique way for kids to express themselves creatively without worrying about likes or followers or what other people think. For instance, when writing a story, kids have complete control over what they create; they are free to explore different ideas and let their imaginations run wild without any sort of judgment from others.
Handwriting can help children express their creativity in ways they may not be able to do with a keyboard. Drawing pictures and writing stories by hand allows them to use their imagination while exploring different materials like paints, paper, and markers. This makes handwriting an ideal way for children to explore artistic expression without the limitations of a digital device. This creative freedom can spark great ideas that may not have been possible before!
The Power of Personalization
One of the most powerful benefits of handwritten communication is that it allows for more personalization than other forms of communication. A child writing a letter or card to a relative or a friend does not have the same text-based limitations as emailing or texting. They can draw pictures, add stickers, and write poems and stories—allowing them to express themselves more freely and creatively. Handwriting also encourages children to slow down and think about what they want to say before they say it. This promotes thoughtful self-expression–just another one of the benefits of handwritten communication for children.
Relationships 101
Handwriting is also incredibly helpful in teaching children how to build healthy relationships with friends and family members. It encourages kids to practice basic relationship skills such as active listening by writing down what someone else has said. Handwriting also increases empathy by expressing understanding through their own words. Written communication can even assist in conflict resolution through meaningful dialogue. Furthermore, by engaging in handwritten communication with loved ones, children learn how to manage their emotions while still honoring their feelings and needs.
The Power of Human Connection
Finally, handwriting helps create meaningful connections between people that other forms of communication cannot replicate. By writing a letter or card for someone else, children are demonstrating love and care for another person. This helps strengthen bonds over time. Even if it’s only one sentence long, a handwritten note can have an immense impact on the recipient. It shows that time was taken out just for them!
In this day and age where technology reigns supreme, handwriting has become increasingly less common. Its importance, however, has only grown stronger over time. Learning how to write by hand helps children build cognitive skills, gain confidence, and express themselves creatively.
When used correctly in educational settings and in personal relationships alike, handwriting can be incredibly beneficial in fostering strong bonds. National Send a Card to a Friend Day, celebrated on February 7th, is a celebration of the benefits and power of the written letter. Check out the National Day Archives for a summary of why the written word is so special. As they say, spread the word on social media using the hashtag #SendACardToAFriendDay. Encourage your little ones to pick up a pen every once in a while. You never know who will benefit from it!
