January 23 is National Handwriting Day. Writing by hand is becoming an obsolete skill. However, it’s an important one. To start, the act of handwriting develops fine motor skills, something that starts when we’re very young. As we grow, the act of handwriting helps build the foundations of reading and spelling skills through letter recognition. Later, the act of handwriting helps with brain development by activating different regions in the brain that typing does not reach.
In today’s digital world, writing is primarily done by putting fingers to keys. The act of handwriting is becoming an outdated practice. To celebrate this pivotal and somewhat lost skill, we have curated 6 ways to put away the keyboard and pick up a pencil.
1. Letter Writing
Consider writing a letter by hand instead of sending an email. Sure, it may take longer to reach its recipient, but imagine the excitement they will have when getting a letter in the mail. If urgent, take a picture of your letter and send it to your recipient digitally. Encourage them to reply in kind.
2. Handmade Greeting Card
Draw your own greeting card by hand. Then, write your own personalized message. Not only does it encourage tactile practice, it adds a personalized touch that is missed with mass produced content.
3. Calligraphy
Learn a new skill with calligraphy. Take a class or watch a video online to learn this traditional skill. Start designing decorative signs and personalized envelopes.
4. Journaling
Start a journal that you can write by hand in. Consider keeping a dream journal. Leave a notebook and pen on your bedside table. When you wake up from a dream, jot down what you remember. By writing in a journal instead of a device, it will be easier to go back to sleep and have further dreams to document.
5. Grocery Lists
Write out a grocery list by hand instead of using your phone. Keep track of what you need to buy, and cross off items as you add them to your cart.
6. Copy in Cursive
Copy a favorite poem in print. Then, copy it again in cursive. Which do you like better? Practice writing your name in cursive. Extend this into perfecting your personal signature.
For a FREE set of writing prompts you can use as a starting point to practice handwriting an essay, click here.
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