The Educational Benefit of a Handwritten Note by Cindy Coughlin
While technology takes over some of the heavy lifting, handwriting remains an important part of who we are.
Handwriting has long been a skill that identifies us from each other. Like a fingerprint, our handwriting is unique from everyone else on the planet. Although teachers did their best to get all students to form each cursive letter exactly the same, students always showed their individual cursive style. There was the left-hander’s back slant, the cursive-print combination style, the tiny letters, and some illegible examples that only the author himself could discern.
Today the idea of a handwritten composition is nothing more than a fable told to disbelieving students- “You wrote the words? With a pen?” However, according to a washingtonpost.com article, the loss of handwriting also may be a cognitive opportunity missed. The article explains, “Studies show that the neurological process that directs thought, through fingers, into written symbols is a highly sophisticated one. Several academic studies have found that good handwriting skills at a young age can help children express their thoughts better – a lifelong benefit.”
While technology has given the gift of efficiency and accuracy to our writing, it cannot provide a truly personal touch. It is the handwritten messages that we remember most -the stack of love letters, the yearbooks filled with the wisdom of 18 year-old high school graduates, cherished letters of encouragement received during the uncertainty of college, notes of gratitude for kindness shown, and the offer of sympathy and hope to others in times of loss. These are the moments when e-mail just won’t do.
The beauty of communication is that there is room for all kinds. As technology helps us communicate more quickly and easily with e-mail and text messaging, there will forever remain a place for the personal and intimate touch that only handwriting can give.
How do we encourage our children to write more? And ourselves!
Give them personalized stationery that reflects their interests. Children love to be told they are special and a personalized gift is a sincere way to express that sentiment. It also encourages children of all ages to practice writing. They do not have to write a long letter; just a personal quick note is better than a note never written.
RUVAcards offers fun and funky artwork to reflect younger and older kids’ interests and style, ranging from sports and CD headsets to flip-flops and frogs. RUVAcards owner Cindy Coughlin knows the designs hit home with those difficult-to-buy-”tweeners” because she tested them on her own kids. Let’s fact it ~ this age group wants to send something cool. Let them express it with a more urban appeal.
“I started looking for cards and stationery to fit my children’s interests during a pen pals project,” Coughlin explains. “There just really wasn’t anything out there for older kids. Now my daughter will take these cards and use them for all sorts of things, like scrapbooking or decorating gifts. They use them to write notes to their friends and to their grandparents.” She always has a supply in her backpack.
Keep a variety of fun note cards and some stamps in your tote for all that ‘free’ time when you’re just waiting at the doctor’s office, child’s piano lessons!
Nancy Kuenster is a writer from Appleton, Wi. Nancy freelances for Cindy Coughlin, owner of Ruvacards.com. http://www.ruvacards.com/
Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/The-Educational-Benefit-of-a-Handwritten-Note/208086
ScrappinCricut’s Ultimate Scrapbooking Room!
|
|
Dream Room Designer Scrapbook (Tween) $4.39 |
|
|
Designs By Reminisce 12×12 DS Paper TIKI ROOM 2 sheets $1.05 |
|
|
Vintage Large Sandylion Activity Sheet of Stickers #36 – Design-A-Room – Pink $1.49 |
|
|
Scrapaholic Scrapbooking Room Vinyl Design Wall Art $12.99 |
|
|
Scrapbooking Princess Scrap Room Vinyl Design Wall Art $12.99 |
|
|
~SAMPLER SETS of 20 flowers~ FANCY PANTS DESIGNS / PRIMA ~ You Choose Color Set $2.49 |
|
|
~SAMPLER SETS of 20 flowers~ FANCY PANTS DESIGNS / PRIMA ~ You Choose Color Set $2.49 |
|
|
Paper die-cuts 20 per pk 4 designs NIP for crafts, room decor etc $2.59 |
|
|
Deluxe Designs GRANT’S ROOM ALPHABET Stickers Scrapbook $1.19 |
|
|
2 Pocket Plastic Cute Animal Card Holder 9 designs $3.90 |
|
|
Main Street Wall Creations Sticker – Once Upon A Time There Was A Princess…. $2.90 Princess saying: “Once Upon A Time There Was A Princess…” also has stars…. |
|
|
Folk Art 5205 Easy to Paint, Rub-On-Daisies $9.05 Plaid Rub-On Transfers are perfect to use on wood, paper, plastic, metal ceramics and more. Can be used to decorate walls, dressers, toy boxes, scrapbooks and more. Folkart Easy Paint Patterns Daisies- Stunning designs and transfer ease give every artist-ability and confidence. You get dozens of coordinating proportionally sized rub-on patterns. This set includes one 24.8″x 18.9″ pattern sheet wit… |
|
|
A day without scrapbooking is.. $18.95 This decal mesaures 14 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Over 24 colors to choose from, FREE Custom Colors! That’s right, you may choose any colors you want for this wall decal. Please send in your color request with your order. For reference, please use our color chart that is attached. If no color is chosen we will print and ship your decal in the color/colors as seen in the sample from which you … |
|
|
Folk Art 695 4-Ounce Crackle Medium $2.48 Crackle medium is applied between two layers of paint, or paint and a varnish. When the layers dry, the crackle medium shrinks and pulls bold cracks in the finish…. |
|
|
American Girl Crafts Creative Room Pockets Kit $13.00 Get organized your way! It’s fun and easy! Put everything in it’s place with this fun and functional wall organizer. It’s the perfect storage spot for magazines, markers, and more. Plus the panels can be combined any number of ways. Arrange all 4 panels on the wall or tie one to the back of your desk chair. Kit includes: project and idea booklet, 4 12×12 canvas panels, 48 fabric stickers, 16 adhe… |
|
|
Folk Art 20906 Enamels 8 Color Paint Set $12.27 Plaid FolkArt Enamels Paint Sets are all great to use on glass, ceramics or other non-pourous surfaces. They are non-toxic, waterbased and can be cleaned with soap and water while still wet. A fun way to create really unique gifts for family and friends. Traditional- Includes Warm White, Berry Wine, Yellow Ochre, Green Forest, Midnight, Burnt Umber, Gold and Licorice, contains a total of 1.33 fl o… |
|
|
Folk Art 661 Metallic 2-Ounce Acrylic Paint, Pearl White $0.77 Cover your paintable surfaces in color with these high-quality acrylic paints…. |
|
|
The Party Dress Book: How to Sew the Best Dress in the Room $15.32 random house watspm guptill publications the party dress book. attention fashionistas glamouratis and twirling enthusiasts everywhere the party dress book is the book you ve been waiting for. get an inside look at the inspiration work and creative dressmaking techniques of celebrated new york designer mary adams. a unique combination of striking and wearable marys gorgeous dresses are a glam depar… |
|
|
The Sewing Machine Classroom: Learn the Ins & Outs of Your Machine $17.03 F&W PUBLICATIONS-The Sewing Machine Classroom. Make the most of your sewing machine! From fabric to feet to finished product; you’ll be guided through techniques for mastering your machine and using it to perform both basic and advanced stitching tasks. Whether you’ve been sewing for years or just gotten the itch; you’ll find invaluable information for using your sewing machine to its maximum pote… |
|
|
Sweetwater’s Simple Home: Sew Something Handmade for Every Room, 35 Projects $14.25 C&T PUBLISHING-Stash Books: Sweetwater’s Simple Home. Make every room in your house feel more like home! You’ll enjoy these 35 beginner-friendly projects; including quilts; pillows; table linens and accessories; each can be made in a day or less! Bring Sweetwater’s popular signature to all your sewing and craft projects. Learn simple and creative techniques for decorating with applique; stenciling… |
