3 Reasons To Use Technology to Teach Cursive Handwriting

I’ve always thought of things as either pencil & paper or digital. Two completely separate, cut and dry methods for record-keeping, writing and doing schoolwork. However, in today’s technology-based world, it seems there has become a lot of gray area between something being on paper and something being digital. When we decided to teach cursive handwriting, I immediately sought out the best workbooks and practice pages. Using technology to teach cursive handwriting never even crossed my mind.

Since we’ve added iPads to our homeschool toolbox, I’ve learned that utilizing technology with a topic like handwriting makes the lessons way more engaging and even helps my kids grasp some difficult concepts. Adding the Apple pencil was a gamechanger for how we utilize our iPads for learning. So when I came across an app that used technology to teach handwriting I had to check it out!

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‘affiliate links’. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.
I received a copy of this app and was compensated for my time to write this blog post. I was in no way required to write a positive post and of course, I only recommend and share products that I love and use with my kids!

Let me preface by saying, a good old Ticonderoga pencil and paper can never be replaced when it comes to teaching handwriting. We still do lots of practice on paper and switch up the type of writing utensils used to give the girls lots of practice. However, adding a digital element to your cursive lessons can help strengthen grip and improve mechanics. Here are 3 reasons to use technology to teach handwriting to your kids!

Cost Savings

I’m always looking for ways to cut costs and keep our homeschool expenses under control. One very easy way to do that is to go digital. We use ebooks and electronic tools to eliminate the need for costly workbooks and textbooks. Since we’re teaching two kids we found that buying the materials once was hard on the wallet, but doing it again just a few years later really stung!

Teaching handwriting is no exception. To give your kids plenty of practice, you’ll want to have lots of practice paper and pencils on hand. Although paper and pencils seem like a minute expense in the grand scheme of things, they can quickly add up!

Using a tool like Handwriting Success allows you to have an unlimited amount of practice without going through reams and reams of paper! This app allows you to practice and then easily clear your sheet so you can start over.

Preparing for a Digital World

Our kids will use technology for all aspects of life. Being comfortable using digital documents and writing will be so important for higher education, the workplace, and daily life. To prepare kids for the digital world, it’s important to give them practice using tools and technology, like a stylus and iPad or tablet.

Learning to write in cursive digitally isn’t something that I had considered when we were choosing handwriting and cursive books and curriculum. I hadn’t considered how often you actually have to write on a digital device – signing for a package, signing documents, taking notes, etc.

Getting the girls lots of practice using technology in a productive way is an important part of our homeschool goals. Using a handwriting app with their Apple pencils and iPads gives them plenty of real-world practice.

A More Flexible Way to Teach Cursive Handwriting

We are super flexible with our homeschool schedule and how we structure our lessons. We like to pick up and take off on an adventure for the day. There are also times that we shift our homeschooling around other activities or commitments. This means we are often homeschooling in the car, while camping, or while sitting outside.

We quickly found that handwriting is one subject that is very tricky to manipulate. Papers easily blow around if we try to practice while outside. It’s also difficult to practice handwriting in the car – there’s a lot of erasing and wasted paper.

Using technology to teach cursive handwriting means we can be more flexible with our homeschooling. The girls usually always have their iPads with them, so it’s easy to squeeze in some extra practice.

Handwriting Success with Getty-Dubay Italic

If you’re ready to teach cursive handwriting to your kids, check out the Handwriting Success app by Getty-Dubay Italic. This app provides a complete handwriting curriculum for grades K-6 all in the palm of your hand with a device and stylus!

This isn’t a new program or company. The Getty-Dubay Italic Handwriting method has been a homeschool favorite for 40 years. The addition of the digital app has allowed parents who used Getty-Dubay as a child to continue using a time-tested program in a digital age with their own kids!

You can download a free sample and try it out for yourself!