The Educator (Volume 45) - IAMPETH

A PLEA FOR MORE HANDWRIT-
ING INSTRUCTION
THE NEXT STEP—WHAT?
After analyzing the piesent handwriting-
situation in our elementary
schools, we venture to ask ourselves
is our next step ?
Here is the picture as we view it in
modern school systems of
today. Manuscript or print is being
accepted in many first and
grades. Some are using it as
far as the third and fourth grades.
An occasional system is using it
throughout the grades. Not a few
are discontinuing instruction
handwriting at the end of the sixth
grade. This presents a sad picture
which indicates that many girls and
boys in our public schools are receiving
only two or three years instruction
in cursive writing—a style
for which they will find urgent need
adult life.
I —what
' moderately
' generally
' second
' systems
I in
I in
I Is
it fair to the child to deprive
him of training which he so much
needs and wants ? Can we censor the
teachers of the secondary schools for
lamenting over the scrawly product
they are forced to read when adequate
time has not been provided for
its training in the grades.
There is only one solution to this
chaotic situation. If manuscript is to
continue in the primary school—and
from present indications it is meeting
HUFF
TEACHERS AGENCY
Missoula, Mont.
Member N.A.T.A.
booklet l'n?f to nuniht-i-s
The Educator 27
the need satisfactorily, then the time
for instruction in the cursive style
must extend to the higher levels. It
is folly to assume that children of
this age do not require training. It
is here where accelerated growth
takes place both with nerves and
muscles causing uneven movements
in performance even to the point of
illegibility. It is an accepted fact
that habits and skills decline with
disuse. This being true the solution
then is to give concentrated training
through this critical period until the
child has reached a satisfactory level
of achievement. The Pen.
Some beautiful specimens have been
received from Charles Romont, 83
Montgomery Street, Boston, Mass.
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