If you grew up in the 50’s, the 60’s, 70’s and even 80’s handwriting has always been a big part, it was thought in school, you were graded and most of us were very proud if we had a neat handwriting. We all came up with our own writing, some adding little circles or hearts instead of a dot over the i others added smiley faces, each handwriting was unique, different and special.
The sad part, kids nowadays have no idea about handwriting. Most never learned or even know what cursive writing is and in the case of my son who is a lefty, struggled for years with his hand writing till he entered 4th grade and his teachers told me “Don’t worry about his handwriting, he will use a computer or iPad from now on and no longer needs to have a neat handwriting”.
I was kind of floored and really upset for a few weeks, well actually he is entering 10th grade this year and I’m still somewhat mad over that statement and think back often. As a young mom at the time, seeing my child struggle with handwriting I unwillingly gave in and he was able to use his iPad for anything he ever needed in school, spell check… part of the program, too, who needs to know how to spell. Your iPad or computer will do all that for you.
It’s sad to see how more and more kids don’t know the beauty of handwriting, we always had pen pals growing up, receiving a handwritten letter has always been something very special to me, kids today will never really understand nor appreciate it.
I wish I would have realized all that with my son when he was younger, but he is 16 now and is so accustomed to using his iPad or computer where it’s hard for him to use pen and paper, I wish I would have #BICFightForYourWrite at that time and would have had more power to stand up and say “NO… he will learn to write”.
My daughter on the other hand I worked hard to instill in her that writing is fun, holding a pen and a piece of paper and let your imagination run. She loves to write, she is eager to learn, create her own style of writing and how to write. She loves it! She is 8 now and has had a journal for years, each year I see improvements and changes she has made and her love of writing, with an actual pen and paper grows bigger the older she gets. LOVE it!
Since our school doesn’t teach handwriting per say anymore I make it fun for her to write at home, have her pick out her own journals, little blank books that can even be found in the dollar store, she loves BIC Mechanical Pencils and loves the different colors they come in; if she gets a reward for a good report card, a great paper she turned it she always asks me to pick up some BIC Mechanical pencils for her and she gets excited to see what color I got her.
They are awesome pencils, I’ve loved and used them for many many years, did you know BIC Mechanical pencils are actually turning 30 years old this year? WOW pretty amazing! I personally was excited when the BIC mechanical pencils first arrived, during my elementary years, I was able to say goodbye to the pencil sharpener, I always broke those things and with the BIC in my pocket, I was always ready to tackle any test, letter or note that I needed to pass to my BFF during class.
BIC will be having “surprise 30th birthday” Sweepstakes and you are one of the first to find out about it. How exciting is that?? Here are the mini-rules for the Mechanical Pencil 30th Birthday Sweepstakes which will be running on the BIC Pen Pals Facebook Page, be sure to check it out.
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8/06 Giveaway: No Purch Nec., U.S. only, 18+. Ends 8/06/15
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8/16 Giveaway: No Purch Nec., U.S. only, 18+. Ends 8/16/15
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8/28 Giveaway: No Purch Nec., U.S. only, 18+. Ends 8/28/15
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9/10 Giveaway: No Purch Nec., U.S. only, 18+. Ends 9/10/15
I also encourage you and all your family and friends to visit BICFightForYourWrite.com and sign the pledge to save handwriting, then share the badge to tell your followers/fans/friends to do the same to support the cause! Plus, tell them how they can WIN a $1,200 BIC Prize Pack to help them write more at home. No Purch Nec., U.S. only, 18+. Ends 9/14/2015. For details and full rules visit www.bicfightforyourwrite.com
Wouldn’t it be awesome if we all pull together to save handwriting and down the road can tell our kids that we did the #BICFightForYourWrite and saved handwriting for them and their kids for years to come? It’s important, let’s keep our letters going, let’s keep those special handwritings coming, let all our kids experience what cursive is and how fun it can be. Let’s make this fun and start writing with your kids this summer.
Be sure to use BIC pencils for handwriting activities for children/students in kindergarten to sixth grade and use pencils or pens for handwriting activities for children/students in seventh grade to twelfth grade.
How are you planning to have fun with your kids and writing this summer? Would love to hear all about it, leave me a comment below. Our journal is ready to go, BIC mechanical pens in hand and our rainy days are saved with lots of room for funny, sad and crazy stories all will he held down on a piece of paper with a pencil. Because when kids write, things click!
Say NO to penmanship extinction and say #BICFightForYourWrite today!!
Compensation was provided by BIC via MomTrends Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions of BIC or MomTrends Media.
Elisabeth says
I think handwriting is so important and I’m glad BIC is doing this!
DJ says
I think handwriting is super important!
Michelle D. says
Handwriting is so important! It’s such a simple pleasure to pick up a pencil and pen and just write. I love making lists, keeping a journal and just jotting ideas down. An ipad or computer isn’t the same!
Birdiebee says
I was really amazed that most of the schools stopped teaching cursive writing where I live. My granddaughter really wanted to learn so have to get her a computer program as well as buy her cursive handwriting books. I think is it really important for children to learn the right way to print as well as use cursive. I would hope that they bring this back into the schools. I will be heading to the site URL listed here for BIC.
Janet W. says
Handwriting really is so important! I can’t believe Bic has been around that long! Great company!
Julie Wood says
Learning good handwriting skills is so important for kids because in the real world they will have to write a lot. I remember being taught cursive and learning how to write neatly. It was stressed when I was in school. I think it is sad that they are not teaching handwriting skills as much as they should! Bic makes the best writing pens.
Dandi D says
I know how important handwriting was to me when I was in school, so I am going to make sure to teach it to my kids.
Anne says
Wow–hard to believe that BIC mechanical pencils have been around for 30 years! Thanks for the links to BIC; I’ll go check them out.
And how nice that your daughter is developing a love of writing! Holding a good pen and using a good notebook or paper is a real pleasure. I hope someday your son will learn to enjoy that, as well.
shelly peterson says
Handwriting is so very important to learn and keep around. I think it’s sad that only 2 of my 4 kids learned how to write in cursive. I am glad Bic is doing this.
Sonya Morris says
Handwriting is becoming a lost art. I remember in school admiring the penmanship on The Declaration of Independence and longing to be able to write like that.