When was the last time you took notes on a diary or paper? Not sure, right?
Ever since the advent of smartphones and tablets, most of us have almost forgotten the need to carry a diary or a pen in our bag. Most of us would have forgotten what our handwriting actually looks like. 🙂
In this age of technology, there is less need to write anything by hand. With classes being virtual and notes sent online, there is no need for children to write anymore. People now think of writing by hand as some primitive activity, having no intentions to use a pen and paper unless absolutely necessary.
But is that really the case?
Is writing no longer needed? Does it not do any good?
The answer is- it does more good than you think!
Researchers have found that writing by hand has many advantages that help children in their emotional and intellectual development.
Advantages of writing by hand:
Improves memory and learning comprehension
Writing by hand engages the brain more and helps improve memory power. Taking notes while listening to classes helps children better remember and understand them. Children who are typing notes usually take down word by word what the teachers are teaching. But while writing, children note down what they understood from the lessons. Both are very different. Typing encourages mindless learning while writing engages their whole mind. 88tuition believes very much in the benefits that handwriting notes on the screen bring about for students to optimise their learning – you can have a look at our lessons here.
Increases creativity
Writing by hand is proven to increase creativity in children. Famous writers often recommend writing by hand instead of on a typewriter or laptop to improve creativity and imagination. It stimulates parts of the brain that help in boosting creativity and imagination. Writing with a pencil on paper has also been found to help build visual processing skills.
It helps to relieve stress and anxiety and to make better decisions
Writing has proven to have therapeutic effects and can relieve stress and anxiety in children and adults. The physical activities involved in writing make the brain release more stress-reducing chemicals. Writing down about any problems they are facing can help them in analyzing them and finding solutions. Also, writing about their feelings can help them get a better grasp of them. It can help children deal with stress and anxieties during exams and help them analyze future choices better. Undecided about what course or career to choose? Write down all the options and the pros and cons of each. You will now be able to pick the best option for you. Problem solved!
Enhances focus and concentration
Writing requires mental effort, and this can increase focus and concentration in children. It also helps develop patience in children. Writing by hand involves tracing out each alphabet by hand, and this helps improve the motor skills and the eye-hand coordination of your child. Such children can fare well in academics and sports.
It helps them engage better
While studying, if students are only reading through passages, they might forget what they had read a few moments ago. The retention amount will be low as they might be reading mindlessly. But when writing is involved, it requires more effort and engagement. It makes the children put more thought into what they’re learning and retain the information better.
Writing by hand improves spelling and vocabulary
It has also been found that learning is done by reading, words might be remembered, but not their spelling. Also, if the children are used to typing their notes, the autocorrect features and word-suggestion mechanisms might make the typing faster. But, they are crutches that will hinder their learning of spellings and their vocabulary.
It helps avoid distractions
When reading, the mind can often wander, and the children will get distracted by needless thoughts. Also, if you are taking notes on a computer, many things might distract you. You might feel the urge to go online and watch videos or check social media while using the computer. But if you’re writing on a piece of paper, this eliminates the possibility of such distractions happening.
How to make children write more?
1. Make them take notes
Encourage children to make their study notes instead of depending on the teacher’s notes or online materials. It will help them learn better and also to understand the topics better. Writing has been found to help students connect details better, which in turn helps them to understand content more easily, for a longer period of time.
2. Journals & Diaries
Journals and diaries can help in making children write more. They can plan out their routines, write down how they are feeling about anything and everything. It can help them destress and also develop better planning and organizational skills.
3. Writing assignments
Ask children to read more and write down notes or reviews of the books they read. It will increase their knowledge as well as writing abilities.
4. Write down to-do lists every day
Every day, make them plan out the day and write down everything they have to do. It helps them get clarity and also creates a habit of planning out things. By acknowledging and writing out their ‘to-do’ list for the day, it helps them to recall their tasks, learn how to prioritise, and manage their time better. All these life skills, when acquired from young will do them good as they grow older.
In this current technology-driven age, where the activity of writing by hand is getting out of use, try to encourage your children to do it more. It has more benefits than any typing on a computer or simply reading texts can give you. Your child’s brain and emotional development depend on it.
A famous British writer, C.S. Lewis once said, “You can make anything by writing.” So, the next time you are looking for a good gift for your children, try giving them a journal or a good pen that might encourage them to write more. All the best! 🙂
Exam Smart Tips
Exam Smart Tip #1 – How to Encourage Our Kids to Speak Better?
Exam Smart Tip #2 – How to avoid carelessness?
Exam Smart Tip #3 – Establishing Routines!
Exam Smart Tip #4 – Let’s Read Carefully!
Exam Smart Tip #5 – Beating the Exam Fever!
Exam Smart Tip #6 – How to Eat Right for the Exams?
Exam Smart Tip #7 – How to Avoid a Meltdown?
Exam Smart Tip #8 – Taking Stress out of Tests
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