| While technology takes over some of the heavy | | | | The beauty of communication is that there is |
| lifting, handwriting remains an important | | | | room for all kinds. As technology helps us |
| part of who we are. | | | | communicate more quickly and easily with |
| | | | e-mail and text messaging, there will forever |
| Handwriting has long been a skill that | | | | remain a place for the personal and intimate |
| identifies us from each other. Like a | | | | touch that only handwriting can give. |
| fingerprint, our handwriting is unique from | | | | |
| everyone else on the planet. Although | | | | How do we encourage our children to write |
| teachers did their best to get all students | | | | more? And ourselves! |
| to form each cursive letter exactly the same, | | | | |
| students always showed their individual | | | | Give them personalized stationery that |
| cursive style. There was the left-hander's | | | | reflects their interests. Children love to be |
| back slant, the cursive-print combination | | | | told they are special and a personalized gift |
| style, the tiny letters, and some illegible | | | | is a sincere way to express that sentiment. |
| examples that only the author himself could | | | | It also encourages children of all ages to |
| discern. | | | | practice writing. They do not have to write |
| | | | a long letter; just a personal quick note is |
| Today the idea of a handwritten composition | | | | better than a note never written. |
| is nothing more than a fable told to | | | | |
| disbelieving students- "You wrote the words? | | | | RUVAcards offers fun and funky artwork to |
| With a pen?" However, according to a | | | | reflect younger and older kids' interests and |
| article, the loss of handwriting also may be | | | | style, ranging from sports and CD headsets to |
| a cognitive opportunity missed. The article | | | | flip-flops and frogs. RUVAcards owner Cindy |
| explains, "Studies show that the neurological | | | | Coughlin knows the designs hit home with |
| process that directs thought, through | | | | those difficult-to-buy-"tweeners" because she |
| fingers, into written symbols is a highly | | | | tested them on her own kids. Let's fact it ~ |
| sophisticated one. Several academic studies | | | | this age group wants to send something cool. |
| have found that good handwriting skills at a | | | | Let them express it with a more urban appeal. |
| young age can help children express their | | | | |
| thoughts better - a lifelong benefit." | | | | "I started looking for cards and stationery |
| | | | to fit my children's interests during a pen |
| While technology has given the gift of | | | | pals project," Coughlin explains. "There |
| efficiency and accuracy to our writing, it | | | | just really wasn't anything out there for |
| cannot provide a truly personal touch. It is | | | | older kids. Now my daughter will take these |
| the handwritten messages that we remember | | | | cards and use them for all sorts of things, |
| most -the stack of love letters, the | | | | like scrapbooking or decorating gifts. They |
| yearbooks filled with the wisdom of 18 | | | | use them to write notes to their friends and |
| year-old high school graduates, cherished | | | | to their grandparents." She always has a |
| letters of encouragement received during the | | | | supply in her backpack. |
| uncertainty of college, notes of gratitude | | | | |
| for kindness shown, and the offer of sympathy | | | | Keep a variety of fun note cards and some |
| and hope to others in times of loss. These | | | | stamps in your tote for all that 'free' time |
| are the moments when e-mail just won't do. | | | | when you're just waiting at the doctor's |
| | | | office, child's piano lessons! |