In a world of tablets, laptops and typing, many parents wonder does handwriting still matter?
The answer is yes, but perhaps not for the reasons you might think.
Handwriting is still taught in England’s primary curriculum
In England, handwriting is part of the primary curriculum.
Children are taught to:
- Form letters correctly in Key Stage 1
- Develop a fluent, joined style in Key Stage 2
- Write legibly and at speed
However, the goal is not simply neat writing.
The real purpose of handwriting is to support children in becoming confident, capable writers.
Why handwriting matters
When handwriting becomes fluent, children no longer have to think about forming each letter.
This allows them to focus on:
- Their ideas
- Sentence structure
- Vocabulary
- Organising their writing
If handwriting is slow or difficult, it can hold children back.
They may have strong ideas but struggle to get them onto the page.
What about other countries?
Different countries take different approaches to handwriting.
- In Germany, children often learn cursive from an early age
- In England, joined handwriting is expected by the end of primary school
- In the United States, there is less emphasis on cursive writing
- In many parts of Asia, children may focus more on printed writing or typing
While the approaches vary, the goal is the same everywhere – helping children express their ideas clearly in writing.
Handwriting is a tool, not the end goal
It is important to remember that handwriting is not the final goal.
A child can have neat handwriting but still struggle to:
- Organise ideas
- Build sentences
- Write independently
At the same time, a child with less developed handwriting can still become a strong writer.
Handwriting should be seen as a tool that supports writing.
How I approach this in my lessons
In Mrs Shipley’s Classroom, I focus on:
- Developing clear sentence structures
- Building vocabulary
- Helping children organise their ideas
Handwriting is supported where needed, but it does not take priority over writing itself.
For many children, particularly those learning English as an additional language, confidence and structure are the most important first steps.
Final thought
Handwriting still matters.
Not because it has to look perfect, but because it helps children write more fluently, organise their ideas and grow in confidence.
When children feel confident in their writing, everything else begins to follow.
Sparking confidence in writing
If your child finds writing difficult or lacks confidence, I offer one-to-one online English lessons for children aged 5 to 11.