More and more schools are issuing iPads to students and it seems like technology is taking over. I often get a lot of pushback from teachers and parents who ask, "If everyone is switching to typing, why do our children need to learn how to write correctly?" Here's why.
Handwriting leads to stronger academic performance in both reading and math. This statement has been supported by multiple research studies (Dinehart, 2014).
Handwriting boosts memory. If we write something down, we are more likely to remember it.
Handwriting builds motor skills.
Handwriting is part of our daily lives. No matter how much we use Siri or communicate via text and typing, there is always a part of our day where handwriting is necessary.
Handwriting increases focus.
Handwriting stimulates creativity.
Handwriting and keyboarding are not the same skill. Handwriting requires more brain power than typing. Hopefully, by the end of this seminar, you will all become advocates for handwriting, as learning to handwrite has long-lasting impacts.
Dena Bishop, OTR/L is a veteran pediatric occupational therapist specializing in school-based therapy for students with multiple diagnoses including ASD, ADHD, CP, and DD. She earned her B.S degree in OT from the University of Pittsburgh in 2000. Her 17 years of experience have granted her significant knowledge from the vast number of therapists she has collaborated with and the resources she has collected and implemented over the years. Dena has spent her entire career engaging and empowering students from 18 months through 21 years of age with diverse cultures while working in schools in OH, PA, CA, HI, and FL. She has academia experience as an adjunct professor for the OTA program at Polk State College in Winter Haven, FL. Her passion for OT and growth mindset continually challenges her to excel in her field.
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