7 Ways How Writing by Hand Improves Brain Power

Writing by Hand Boosts Brain Power

In today’s tech-dependent world of smartphones and laptops, it is not surprising that most kids are more comfortable using a keyboard than a pen. Many states in the US have dropped cursive writing from their curriculum as students use laptops to type and organize their notes. In many ways, it is easier to use a laptop to take down notes in class as this method allows for quick note-taking and students can easily share notes or look up information if required.

However, recent studies show that there are several reasons why writing by hand is a better option. Here are seven reasons why writing by hand is important:

Boosts Cognitive Skills

Writing by hand is an essential tool in the development of cognitive skills in children. Several studies show that children who learn to write letters and shapes by hand fare better than those who use mechanized methods. Unlike typing, writing by hand requires a combination of visual, motor and cognitive skills which is an integral part of the learning process, despite the age of the student. Writing practice not only allows a child to learn the required shapes or letters but it can also help improve the expression and composition of ideas. This benefit is not limited to children but even among adults, improved writing skills help enhance cognitive skills.

Increases Focus

When writing by hand, a certain part of the brain called the reticular activating system (RAS) is stimulated. This system acts as a filter for the inputs of all the sensory information and “decides” the bits of information to be retained or ignored. Since writing by hand aids in stimulating RAS it allows the individual in focusing the hand task with minimal scope for distraction.

Improves Memory

In a series of experiments conducted by psychological scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), students were divided into two groups where one group used laptops to take notes while the others used traditional notebooks. The experiments proved that the students who took notes using laptops were more likely to take verbatim notes with little or no mental processing of the information. Students who used notebooks memorized the information better and were able to understand and retain the knowledge better. The results of the experiment showed that handwriting information leads to better factual learning as well as conceptual learning and is a superior method of memorizing information. Handwriting information helps in improving memory among both young students and aging individuals which is why seniors are often advised to keep a journal or a diary to sharpen their mental acumen as well as improve their memory.

Sharpens Aging Minds

As we age, we start to notice diminished physical and mental capabilities. This is a natural part of the aging process and while it cannot be completely reversed, there are ways to slow down the effects. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh studied the effects of intellectual stimulation on memory and comprehension. It was found that older people who undertook regular intellectually stimulating tasks had better reasoning, judgment and cognitive abilities. Learning to write in cursive and practicing it regularly is considered to be a good mental exercise for seniors as it helps to keep the mind sharp and increases focus and attention.

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Improves Creativity

Creativity requires analysis, comprehension, memorization and insight. Writing by hand is not merely a style; it also promotes a deeper understanding of the subject matter along with an organized approach to communication. In recent years, cognitive science research and neuroscience have presented evidence that shows a definite connection between creativity and the process of writing by hand. Psychologists at the University of Washington tested students to observe and understand the differences between the effects of handwriting and using a keyboard.

The researchers noted that children who used notebooks to compose text consistently produced more words within a shorter period than the children who used keyboards. In older children, brain imaging tests showed that the connection between handwriting and idea generation was much stronger than researchers had realized as writing activates a unique neural circuit. During the analysis of handwriting, it was observed that children with better handwriting had better neural activation in the areas of the brain that are associated with creativity.

Promotes Sequencing and Estimation

Sequencing and estimation are fundamental abilities without which we would have trouble with even the simplest of tasks. For instance, an individual with sequencing problems would not be able to follow the logical sequence of a story – starting with the beginning and ending at the conclusion but instead, the person would present the story as a jumble of sentences which would make the story unintelligible. Since each written letter of the alphabet needs to be executed in a specific sequence, handwriting helps to develop and sustain this skill. It also helps with spatial skills as it requires consistent letter sizing as well as spacing before and afterwords.

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Creates a Calming Effect

Each letter of a word and each word of a sentence requires skill and a certain amount of coordination, especially with cursive writing. The number of complex motor and visual functions required for handwriting is quite surprising and many people find that it is a calming and cathartic activity. Some people even choose creative calligraphy as a means of self-expression.