Writing by hand and are getting smarter

My son graduated from the first class, and among the items most of the time it took away the letter. All of these hooks, squiggles, letters and suggestions - everything had to withdraw almost perfectly, and his teacher not to save on red ink. Most parents moaned and asked why so many, because in the future will still all be printed on a computer? Why even make fun of children and forcing them to withdraw the letter perfect?! What dear Yu BUT. He replied: "This we will develop fine motor skills, then say thank you!" And now I realize what we really say thank you to her, since all these exercises with a pen not been in vain.

Recent studies have shown that learning cursive writing is a very important tool for cognitive development. This is especially true of brain training functional specializationThat is to improve communication between the hemispheres.

In the case of the letter from the hand of our brain is trained simultaneously control motor functions and thinking, that is, we do not just mindlessly deduce curls and hearts, as is the case at the time of boring lectures or long telephone conversations, and visualize our thoughts: from beneath our pen out the words that are born in our heads! This process is significantly different from typing on the computer or just a visual practice.

In order to write something legible, we have to put more effort to monitor our fingers (fine motor). You write and pay attention to what comes out of your pen. In addition, studies have shown that during the time the letter from the hand of the brain are activated in zones that are usually asleep while typing on the keyboard.

Advantages of handwriting

In one study conducted at Indiana University, researchers conducted brain scans of children five years old before and after receiving instructions for teaching writing. Children who practice handwriting, there was increased neural activity, similar to that which occurs in the brain of an adult. Children who did not practice calligraphy, and just looked at the letter, like the burst of neural activity was observed.

"Reading Scheme" of the brain that are normally activated in the areas responsible for reading, begin to work during the writing of the hand, but in this case remain absolutely quiet while typing on keyboard. The same study showed that just a technical rewriting of the text by hand and meaningful letter, in which you yourself come up with a text, different general brain activity: in the second case saw more active zones in both hemispheres.

When you write by hand, even if it is unthought rewriting the text, your brain:

• Localizes each stroke of the pen, and associates it with others.
• It teaches and stores the appropriate size, the slope and overall shape, as well as the detailed characteristics of each letter.
• Develops categorization skills.

Other studies consider the unique relationship between the hand and the brain of the author when it comes to drawing up of thoughts and ideas. Virginia Berninger, a professor at Washington University, says that the children write faster and more words in the essay when doing it by hand, not when typing on the keyboard, that is, the essay not only get longer and more cohesive, but also more expressive.

There is a whole area of ​​research known as tactile, which studies the relationship of touch, hand movements, and brain function. Practice calligraphy helps the brain to integrate the visual and tactile information, and also contributes to the development of fine motor skills. The benefits for the development of brain functionality in this case can be compared to learning to play a musical instrument.

Hence, a very simple conclusion: it is not necessary to force the child to display common letters (so you just whacks all desire), but you just have to instill in him a love of writing by hand. And the easiest way to do this - to help keep a diary. And it should not be just a blog, as this can make and online. It must be something much more exciting, with the collection of "artifacts" of travel or anniversaries in the form of maps with routes, tickets and photographs.