Heart Calligraphy by Zehda San Francisco California
The word Calligraphy is derived from the greek word kalligraphía meaning beautiful writing. When a person creates beautiful handwriting there is allot more going on than the eye pleasing letters on paper. Today January 23rd is John Hancocks birthday. This day is now recognized as National Handwriting Day in honor of him and his amazing signature on The Declaration of Independence.
Handwriting is historically a valuable form of communication and historical documentation found in societies through out the world for centuries. Teaching young children to learn penmanship has been a valuable part of their education. They spent hours each year receiving formal instruction and practicing their handwriting.
Two young girls practice their cursive handwriting in the 1930s.
(Credit: Harold M. Lambert/Lambert/Getty Images)
In the past fifty years technology has changed the need for children to learn penmanship as typewriters and computers have become a faster way to create words. Schools eliminated penmanship curriculum beginning in the 1980's and it is rarely taught in public schools today. Unfortunately typing each letter on a computer does not develop or enhance the child's brain functions as much as writing by hand does.
Recent studies show that cursive writing trains the brain by integrating visual, and tactile skills. When a child writes in cursive they focus more because they have to think about each letter shape. The increased brain development when writing in cursive is similar to the same that occurs from playing a musical instrument. Due to budget cuts these programs are often being eliminated in the public schools. So on this National Handwriting Day it is worth considering that our children might be more proficient in science and math, if they were also learning cursive writing and how to play a musical instrument.
Typing takes its toll on cursive writing
By Kerry Tomlinson, KATU
Problem Solvers Published: Feb 26, 2014 at 6:10 AM PST
There are several penmanship programs available for children and adults to learn handwriting today. The Getty-Dubay Program is a wonderful curriculum created by Barbara Getty and Inga Dubay. They have taught calligraphy at the elementary and college levels and now offer seminars with their handwriting program.
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