Why Cursive: The Benefits for Early Development

Montessori education prioritizes teaching cursive over print for several developmental reasons. Cursive writing encourages fluid, continuous motion, which helps children develop fine motor skills more naturally than the separate strokes required in print writing. This connection of letters also promotes smoother and faster writing, reducing frustration and
supporting legibility.

The Montessori method focuses on the link between physical movement and cognitive development, and cursive’s flowing nature strengthens the neural pathways that support learning. Additionally, learning cursive first helps children distinguish writing from reading, avoiding confusion between similar-looking print letters like “b” and “d.” It also fosters independence, as cursive allows for more individual expression in handwriting, empowering children to take pride in their unique style. Historically, cursive was the standard form of writing, and Montessori’s approach mirrors this tradition, believing that mastering cursive writing supports literacy and cognitive growth.

Overall, cursive writing in Montessori is about more than just the mechanics of forming letters—it’s an approach that nurtures a child’s development across multiple domains.