The Renaissance of Cursive Writing: A Skill Rediscovered

For generations, the art of cursive handwriting was a rite of passage for school-aged children. Hours spent in classrooms meticulously tracing and connecting letters formed the foundation of countless childhood educations. However, as time marched on and educational priorities shifted towards standardized testing, cursive writing began to fade from curriculums across the United States, leaving many unable to write or even read in this once ubiquitous style.

The decline of cursive instruction has had unforeseen consequences. To her astonishment, Drew Gilpin Faust, a Harvard history professor, discovered that a significant portion of her students could not read cursive. This revelation, shared in an NPR interview, underscored a growing concern: the risk of disconnecting younger generations from their own history, unable to read historical documents or even personal family letters written in cursive.

Yet, there’s good news on the horizon. Cursive is experiencing a resurgence. From a mere 14 states requiring cursive instruction in 2016, the number swelled to 22 by the end of 2023. This revival signals a renewed appreciation for the personal touch and historical significance that cursive writing offers.

For those eager to embrace this comeback, resources abound. Traditional cursive workbooks, once a staple of elementary education, remain readily available in bookstores and online retailers. Moreover, the digital age offers innovative tools for learning, such as mobile apps like Writey, which guide users through the nuances of cursive and even delve into the elegant world of calligraphy.

The renaissance of cursive writing not only reconnects us with a cherished skill but also bridges generations, ensuring that the handwritten stories of the past remain accessible and the art of personal, handwritten communication is preserved for the future.