Writing sparks creativity. It boosts self-confidence, makes better readers, and can help improve critical thinking skills. There are so many reasons children should learn to write. It’s quite frankly outrageous to me that some schools no longer feel it’s important to teach kids to write. I am so happy to partner with BIC® in the fight to save handwriting.
I was so shocked recently when my 16 year old niece, who is an honor roll student, had difficulty reading a birthday card from her grandmother that was written in cursive. It was by no fault of her own. Her school simply didn’t put an emphasis on handwriting. When I was her age I spent hours journaling and writing in my diary. Today’s kids do everything electronically and online. I am so glad my son graduated before they stopped teaching handwriting.
My youngest niece goes to a magnet school with a focus on technology. The school gave each child an iPad that students use for all classwork and homework. This is great, except for the fact that they aren’t teaching students handwriting. Teaching students handwriting has pretty much become extinct. Don’t get me wrong. Technology is great. I love it and am a bit of a tech geek myself, but technology shouldn’t come with such a big sacrifice.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do at home to encourage writing and save the art of handwriting. I think making homemade cards with a handwritten note inside for birthdays and other occasions is a fun way brighten the day of a friend or family member, and encourage creativity at the same time.
When doing your back-to-school shopping, I encourage you to pick up some BIC® Mechanical Pencils. They come in so many fun and exciting colors and styles for making writing more fun.
Here are some more fun ideas for getting your child to write at home:
1. Purchase or make a journal where your child can write about the day’s events and how they feel.
2. Challenge your kids to come up with a genius invention and write it down in their journal. Share their ideas with your family.
3. Encourage your child to create their own comic book.
4. Write silly fill in the blank stories. This is a fun activity for the whole family.
5. Take time outside with your kids and create your own eye-spy game. Write down everything you see!
How do you encourage handwriting at home? I would love to hear your ideas.
Join BIC on their mission to save handwriting and Fight For Your Write.
I would like to invite you to join the BIC® Fight For Your Write Mission to save handwriting by visiting BICFightForYourWrite.com and signing the pledge to save handwriting to support the cause! For every signature BIC will donate one pen or pencil to AdoptAClassroom.org. (Maximum donation of 200,000.) Plus, when you take the pledge you are entered to WIN a $1,200 BIC Prize Pack to help you and your family write more at home. No Purch Nec., U.S. only, 18+. Ends 9/14/2015. For details and full rules visit www.bicfightforyourwrite.com.
BIC® Mechanical Pencils have been helping kids reach their potential for over 30 years. Join BIC® this year as they celebrate 30 years of success. Because when kids write, things click! To celebrate they are having a “surprise 30th birthday” Sweepstakes on the BIC Pen Pals Facebook Page.
Take note of these dates for the “surprise 30th birthday” Sweepstakes:
1. 8/6 Giveaway: No Purch Nec., U.S. only, 18+. Ends 8/6/15
2. 8/16 Giveaway: No Purch Nec., U.S. only, 18+. Ends 8/16/15
3. 8/28 Giveaway: No Purch Nec., U.S. only, 18+. Ends 8/28/15
4. 9/10 Giveaway: No Purch Nec., U.S. only, 18+. Ends 9/10/15
Become a BIC® Handwriting Hero! I hope you’ll take the #BICFightForYourWrite pledge. Also, join the BIC Fight For Your Write mission to save handwriting by writing with BIC Mechanical Pencils!
Compensation was provided by BIC via MomTrends Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of BIC or MomTrends Media.
My kids love writing. They steal all my books and papers! I love getting them to be creative and write little stories! So fun.
These are really good writing ideas. It’s great to create as many opportunities as you can for them to write.
My kids both went to schools that taught handwriting. They both can read and write in cursive.
Bic is such a great, reliable brand. We used those pens when we were growing up.
They did stop teaching kids to wright in cursive but when they get to high school they’ll get tested in reading cursive on the SAT. I need get my kids started with a journal so they’ll be prepared.
These are all great tips! I love all things notebook and getting my thoughts on paper.
I hardly ever write anymore and when i do i find my hand writing very disturbing. These pencils have a very cute design. Thank you for sharing.
That pencil case is totally adorable! I’m actually rare in that my handwriting is both pretty and legible!
Children must learn handwriting. How can we encourage them to do so? Tell them that handwritten letters are the most personal and the most treasured of all. Give them a notebook and a pen when you go out and let them write notes to send grandparents or to anyone close to their heart. Let them start a journal too.
Saving handwriting is definitely a worth cause. I’m impressed that BIC is helping lead the way. I remember using their mechanical pencils when I was in college.