The Evolution of Handwriting in Primary School. Comparison between Types of Handwriting

Abstract

Developing the writing ability is not only important in building self-esteem for children, but is considered an essential element for success in school, compared to the use of electronic devices, handwriting remains an authentic and important developmental skill for a child. The need for handwriting is revealed by the fact that students may have difficulties in some specific processes that lead to success in reading and writing. These processes are: retrieving letters from memory, reproducing letters on paper, correct spelling, text comprehension.The two important components for handwriting performance is legibility and writing speed. Difficulties in this context with page orientation, spacing, size, inclination and/or alignment of letters and words can affect the legibility of handwriting. Calligraphic writing is a form of immediate communication and continues to be a key competence, both in school context and beyond, despite the widespread use of modern technological devices. Consequently, it is imperative to form handwriting competence in children because this process is the necessary infrastructure for literacy, cognitive and socio-emotional development in children.