Early writers commonly confuse the printed versions of "b" and "d" since they are mirror reflections of one another. However, if those students used cursive handwriting, they would be less likely to confuse letters. A cursive "b" swoops up from the bottom like an "I," and a cursive "d" arcs over like an "a." The difference in beginning strokes can help young children remember the specific form of each letter.
When you print or type a word, each letter is placed separately. The writer has to think about which letter comes next in the word. On the other hand, in cursive handwriting, each letter is not a separate piece, but a smooth continuation of the word. The brain connects all of those letters together, which makes it easier to remember the spelling. The hand simply scripts the word as one object.
Similar to the way cursive handwriting assists the brain with spelling, cursive also improves content in writing. In cursive, writing words becomes a rhythmic, automatic motion, so rather than thinking about how to form each letter, the writing just flows. This allows the writer to focus on developing the content, making the clarity and organization of the piece much better. In 2007, the College Board supported this connection when it reported that students who used cursive handwriting on their SAT essay scored higher than those who did not.
Although computers are often used to type the body of professional papers and letters, there is still a need for cursive handwriting when it comes to the signature. Try cashing a check, making a credit card purchase, notarizing a document, applying for loans, buying a house or voting without the ability to sign your name in cursive. It would never be accepted. The government recognizes a signature as your name written in cursive handwriting, not printed or typed.