Handwriting : theory and practice

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore how and when the teaching of print and cursive writing is initiated in Maltese State schools. It also investigates whether teachers are satisfied with the cursive style prescribed by the syllabus; when, in their opinion, should children be introduced to print and cursive writing; and whether it is time to adopt a different cursive style. All Year 1 teachers (170) and all the teachers who introduce cursive writing to children (167) in the Maltese state schools, were requested to complete a questionnaire which asked about their methods and opinions concerning the teaching of handwriting. From the analysis of the results, it seems that the Education Division gives hardly any guidelines to the teachers, who in tum have to devise their own methods. Meanwhile, a slight majority of Year 1 teachers think that it would be better to introduce print writing in Kindergarten while a slight majority of Year 2/Year 3 teachers feel that cursive is not important. On the other hand, most teachers agree that cursive writing should begin in Year 3, but a simpler cursive style should be adopted. It was noted that in some schools, teachers are ignoring the 1997 revised syllabus where it implies that cursive writing should only be introduced in Year 3. In some schools, cursive is still being taught according to the 1990 syllabus, i.e. in Year 2.