Fluency & Personalization When children have learned letter formation and connections, they will gain speed. With speed comes fluency, and with fluency comes personalization. Handwriting style is unique to each of us. As we develop our own style, we also develop consistent patterns. It’s inevitable: each of us will develop our own unique cursive style. Take a look, this child learned the Handwriting Without Tears® style of cursive!
You will know your students are gaining fluency and personalization when you start to see: 1. Speed 2. Natural flare (loops and curlicues) 3. Possible slant 4. A mixture of print with cursive Mixing print with cursive is normal. If students start to mix their print with cursive, allow it. This style of writing is very functional and often is the way most adults write. However, don’t let the cart get before the horse. If a child begins to personalize too soon, hold the child accountable for neatness and completeness.
Ease Their Minds Some may worry that our vertical style is too simple. Our clean style actually leads children to even greater fluency and personalization—quickly! When you teach the most important parts of the skill (formation and connection), the other pieces (style and speed) come naturally. Remember what happened to the duck in the story “The Ugly Duckling!” Our cursive develops into a beautiful swan that can fly fast.
© 2022 Learning Without Tears
Can-Do Cursive Teacher’s Guide: Resources
91
