The Benefits of Cursive Writing and Critical Thinking: Why We Still Teach Cursive at St. Victor School

A student practices cursive writing, strengthening fine motor skills, focus, and the cognitive foundations that support critical thinking and written expression.

In education, progress doesn’t always mean replacing the old with the new. Sometimes, it means recognizing when a proven practice continues to shape how students think—quite literally.

At St. Victor School, every instructional choice is intentional. We value innovation and forward-thinking tools, but never for their own sake. Our goal is not to be on the cutting edge of education simply to appear modern, it is to prepare students to think deepl

y, communicate clearly, and learn with purpose. That means embracing new approaches when they serve children well, and holding on to time-tested methods when research and experience show they still matter.

This philosophy is exactly why we continue to teach cursive.

The benefits of cursive writing and critical thinking are well-documented, particularly when it comes to how students organize ideas, retain information, and engage in deeper learning.

The Benefits of Cursive Writing and Critical Thinking

Cursive writing is far more than a handwriting style. It is a cognitively demanding task that

requires coordination, sequencing, memory, and sustained attention. All of these skills are closely tied to critical thinking.

When students write in cursive, they are not simply forming letters. They are connecting ideas, planning movements, and translating thoughts into continuous, intentional expression. This process strengthens neural pathways that support reasoning, comprehension, and problem-solving across subjects.

At St. Victor, we see cursive as one more way to help students slow down, think carefully, and develop intellectual stamina in an increasingly fast-paced world.

What Research Says About Cursive Writing and Brain Development

Neuroscience strongly supports the connection between handwriting and higher-order thinking.

A landmark study published in Frontiers in Psychology (Berninger et al., 2012) found that students who wrote by hand—particularly in cursive—activated more areas of the brain associated with

language, working memory, and executive function than those who typed. These students generated more ideas and expressed them more effectively.

Further research from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Van der Meer & Van der Weel, 2020) used EEG brain scans to compare handwriting and typing. The results showed significantly greater neural connectivity during handwriting, a pattern associated with learning, memory formation, and critical thinking. Typing, by contrast, produced far less brain engagement.

This research reinforces what educators have long observed: handwriting doesn’t just record thinking—it helps create it.

How Cursive Supports Executive Function and Deeper Learning

The benefits of cursive writing and critical thinking extend well beyond the page.

Cursive supports:

• Executive function, as students must plan, sequence, and self-monitor

• Reading fluency, through stronger letter and word recognition

• Idea organization, helping students structure thoughts before writing

• Cognitive endurance, allowing students to sustain focus for longer periods

• Written expression, improving clarity and flow of ideas

These skills transfer directly to reading comprehension, analytical writing, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving—foundational outcomes we value across every grade level.

A Balanced Approach to Teaching at St. Victor School

Our decision to teach cursive reflects a broader educational philosophy.

At St. Victor School, we are not interested in innovation for innovation’s sake. We thoughtfully evaluate new tools, technologies, and methodologies, asking a simple but essential question: Does this help children learn better?

Some modern approaches transform learning, and we embrace them fully. Others replace effective practices without improving outcomes. In those cases, we choose wisdom over trend.

Cursive belongs to a category of tried-and-true teaching methods that continue to demonstrate value—academically, developmentally, and cognitively. When research, classroom experience, and student growth align, we pay attention.

Preparing Students for a Digital Future...Thoughtfully

Students use iPads daily as part of thoughtfully integrated lessons, and responsible technology use is explicitly taught. We believe the strongest education balances innovation with proven practices. Digital literacy matters.

But foundational skills come first.

Students who develop strong thinking skills through handwriting are better prepared to use technology meaningfully. They can organize ideas before drafting digitally, evaluate information critically, and communicate with clarity—whether they’re writing with a pen or on a screen.

Cursive is not in opposition to technology. It complements it.

What it Means to Be A Charger

Teaching cursive says something important about St. Victor School. It says we:

• Value research over trends

• Believe learning should be developmentally sound

• Trust practices that stand the test of time

• Focus on how students think, not just what they produce

At St. Victor, tradition and innovation are not competing ideas. They work together intentionally, thoughtfully, and always in service of our students.

Because our goal has never been to be cutting edge. Our goal is to be enduringly effective.

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Berninger, V. W., et al. (2012). Writing and reading: Connections between language by hand and language by eye. Frontiers in Psychology.

Van der Meer, A. L. H., & Van der Weel, F. R. (2020). Neural correlates of handwriting and typing: A comparison using EEG. Frontiers in Psychology.

James, K. H., & Engelhardt, L. (2012). The effects of handwriting experience on functional brain development in pre-literate children. Trends in Neuroscience and Education.