Author William Klemm, Ph.D., says:
There is a whole field of research known as “haptics,” which includes the interactions of touch, hand movements, and brain function. Cursive writing helps train the brain to integrate visual, and tactile information, and fine motor dexterity.
When learning cursive writing,
[T]he brain develops functional specialization that integrates both sensation, movement control, and thinking. Brain imaging studies reveal that multiple areas of brain become co-activated during the learning of cursive writing… as opposed to typing or just visual practice.
In one research program, five-year-olds who had never done anything like this before were divided into groups that received different kinds of instruction on how to form letters. Dr. Klemm wrote,
In children who had practiced self-generated printing by hand, the neural activity was far more enhanced and “adult-like” than in those who had simply looked at letters. The brain’s “reading circuit” of linked regions that are activated during reading was activated during hand writing, but not during typing.
Whether in handwriting or printing, the brain has to do certain tasks that are simply not required when using a computer keyboard, and it turns out that those skills apply to more than just writing.
Many discoveries have been made over the past years. For Forbes.com, Nancy Olson reported…
Handwriting increases neural activity in certain sections of the brain… the mere action of writing by hand unleashes creativity not easily accessed in any other way… Handwriting sharpens the brain and helps us learn… Apparently sequential hand movements, like those used in handwriting, activate large regions of the brain responsible for thinking, language, healing and working memory.
Olson interviewed neuroscientist Dr. Claudia Aguirre, who said,
Writing by hand is a powerful tool for learning, relaxation, creativity and connection…
What does this have to do with BrainWeighve? Everything. Because, what is the app for? To help us learn about ourselves. To help us relax, and not be stressed out over problems and challenges. To inspire creativity in the ways we handle these problems and challenges. To connect us with the strong and capable parts of ourselves. To heal the psychological bruises that lead us into destructive relationships with food.
(To be continued…)
Your responses and feedback are welcome!
Source: “Why Writing by Hand Could Make You Smarter,” SolarisPediatricTherapy.com, undated
Source: “Three Ways That Handwriting With A Pen Positively Affects Your Brain,” Forbes.com, 05/15/16
Image by Mandie S/CC BY 2.0
FAQs and Media Requests: 
