Handwriting: Developing Pupils’ Identity and Cognitive Skills

Abstract

This paper synthesises some of the recent studies that have made links between handwriting as an orthographic-motor strategy and the quality of pupils’ learning and literacy skills. A poor standard of literacy is evident in many British school leavers and, in some cases, university graduates. The paper outlines the implication of this situation for educationalists, policy makers and future interventionist programmes. It also highlights a stark incongruity in British schooling. For instance, after primary school there is no legal requirement in the National Curriculum for teachers to teach handwriting skills. Despite that good handwriting improves pupils’ level of literacy, enhances creative skills and develops their sense of identity, the process of abandoning the teaching of handwriting altogether has already begun in some countries. With reference to some key studies, this polemic paper puts the case that handwriting should be in the foreground not only at primary school stage but throughout pupils’ secondary school education.