Grandparents around the world are outraged at the elimination of mandatory cursive instruction in most U.S. schools. While many students don’t see the point in learning cursive, given that keyboarding and digital skills have become commonplace, I argue that cursive instruction can play a vital role in shaping well-rounded individuals prepared for both academic and real-world challenges.

Cursive can be traced back to Roman times, where it was originally developed to address the limitations of using a quill—preventing ink splatter and allowing for smoother, faster and uninterrupted writing. Over the centuries, cursive writing evolved, with the “Palmer Method” becoming especially popular in 19th-century schools. Yet in 2010, the Common Core Standards—designed to establish consistent K-12 benchmarks for career and college readiness—mandated the removal of cursive from the curriculum. At first glance, cursive may seem outdated, but the reality is that learning cursive continues to provide students with a wide array of clear, tangible advantages.

One compelling reason cursive should be revived is its cognitive benefits. Learning cursive has been shown to enhance brain development, particularly in areas such as language processing, memory retention and fine motor skills. These elements are increasingly important, especially as teachers have reported a noticeable decline in fine motor development among children in recent years. Deficiencies in holding pencils, using utensils or even brushing teeth can be linked to a lack of hands-on, manipulative activities. By devoting more time to writing by hand and practicing script, educators can help students strengthen these essential skills, potentially reversing this trend and supporting development in other areas as well.

Research consistently suggests that writing notes by hand fosters better comprehension and retention of material—skills crucial for academic success for students of all ages. Beyond academic performance, cursive instruction has historically been viewed as a means of teaching students discipline, orderliness and responsibility. These character traits are not only beneficial in the classroom but are also highly valued in the workforce and throughout one’s educational journey. By learning cursive, students develop habits and mindsets that serve them well beyond their school years.

Many historically significant documents—such as the United States Constitution and countless personal letters, diaries and legal records—are written in cursive. To fully comprehend their contents, students must be at least familiar with the unique shapes and strokes of cursive letters. If we become alienated from the language of script, we risk losing access to primary sources and the ability to engage directly with important knowledge from the past. Familiarity with cursive helps preserve our connection to history and ensures that future generations can interpret and appreciate these documents firsthand.

Additionally, cursive is relatively easy to learn. The cursive alphabet is not drastically different from print, and many students are able to pick up the skill within a short period of dedicated instruction. Therefore, including a cursive unit in elementary school curricula would not be a waste of precious classroom time. Instead, it would be an investment in skills that benefit students academically, cognitively and culturally.