23 January each year is National Handwriting Day encouraging us all to put pen to paper. It has been celebrated annually since it was established in 1977 by the Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association. The date was chosen as it was the birthday of John Hancock, the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Why is National Handwriting Day Celebrated?
Even though we are writing less often in today’s modern, technology-based society, handwriting will continue to be a part of our lives. How we work with others and many of the forms of communicating have moved away from the sending of handwritten letters and postcards to relatives. Instead, we now send a quick electronic message or even video call for a more personal conversation.
Encouraging writing at a young age:
It is important to help future generations to be able to read and write. Those children that spend increased time using pen and paper will gain stronger skills in reading and spelling. This is because writing with a pen activates parts of the brain that controls the ability to read, as well as enabling people to retain more of the information than if it has only been read.
There are numerous ways to encourage writing such as starting to keep a diary, or asking children to help with writing the shopping list. Handwritten thank-you letters to those that gave them Christmas presents.
When writing by hand, you are in fact giving your brain a full workout! Whilst writing we are aware of the writing surface, holding the pen/pencil as well as co-ordinating its precise movement across the page. Keystrokes on a keyboards, by contrast, are simple, memory-based repetitive movement.
As well as developing fine motor skills, handwriting helps with cognitive development. Research shows that practicing handwriting leads to children having higher levels of literacy. Subsequently, these strengthened writing skills improves reading comprehension.
Drawing and writing by hand has been shown to increase creativity as we are effectively slowing down, gaining increased thinking time, and thus more creative ideas occur. Also, rather than relying on a digital spell check, through writing out words by hand we are better able retain them, thus improving spelling.
Even doodling away whilst on a call or waiting for an appointment can be a great way to express some creativity. This can be taken further and taking up the hobby of colouring – including adult colouring books which have been shown to reduce anxiety and encourage mindfulness.
It is important to celebrate the art of handwriting and realise the value of pen and paper. Therefore, let’s all take the opportunity this National Handwriting Day to pick up a pen or pencil and get writing and drawing!