Did you know that Montessori schools start teaching kids cursive before print? It’s pretty interesting, and there are some good reasons for it.
Maria Montessori believed that starting with straight strokes in print is tough for kids. These strokes require significant effort for young children. If children are to begin with strokes, they should be the simplest ones to execute. A straight stroke is actually one of the most challenging for them to master.
Why Cursive First?
Easier Letter Recognition
Kids often get mixed up with letters like 'b', 'd', 'p', and 'q' in print. Cursive helps clear up this confusion because the letters look more distinct from each other. This makes it easier for kids to learn to read and write.
Natural Hand Movements
Writing in cursive feels more natural for kids. It's smooth and flowing, unlike print which requires precise straight lines and perfect circles. Cursive is more like the circular scribbles kids naturally make, so it’s less frustrating for them to learn.
Smooth Transition
It’s actually easier for kids to switch from cursive to print later on, rather than the other way around. Learning cursive first helps them develop better motor skills, making the switch to print a breeze.
Cursive writing helps kids see letters as parts of words because the letters are connected. This connection, along with the spaces between words, makes reading easier. Plus, kids who start with cursive are often quicker to pick up reading print and enjoy exploring different letter styles.
So, by starting with cursive, Montessori schools help kids get a head start on reading and writing in a way that feels natural and enjoyable for them.
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