In cursive handwriting, the individual letters of a word are joined with connecting strokes, such as in a person’s signature.

Handwriting is more than just a motor skill, White explained. Research shows writing by hand leads to better recognition and understanding of letters. It also improves memory and recall of words ...

After watching their teacher meticulously draw the alphabet in cursive on a whiteboard ... They traced a word already printed in the workbook and then tried writing it freehand in their own ...

The skill fell out of favor in schools, but states including Iowa are bringing it back and could see benefits, writes .