Lucy Corkhill

By Lucy Corkhill

22nd January 2013

National Handwriting Day on 23rd January is actually an American day of celebration but it’s such a nice one that it seems only right to appropriate it! In our technology dependent times, handwriting can take a bit of a back seat to texts, Twitter, blogging, emails and Facebook. Use National Handwriting Day to reclaim a dying art, and celebrate the wonder of the written word.

Lucy Corkhill

By Lucy Corkhill

22nd January 2013

Lucy Corkhill

By Lucy Corkhill

22nd January 2013

Here are five ways to celebrate National Handwriting Day with your family:

1. Write notes to each other
Instead of sending a text, why not write little personalised notes to one another for a day. Hide them in places you know the recipient will find them – in lunchboxes, drawers, pencil cases and books – and fill them with heartfelt messages, fun jokes and inspiring thoughts. Anyone who has come across a little note written many years previously, in a book or pocket, will know the rush of emotion seeing familiar handwriting can evoke. Resurrect that with your own family notes.
What to read: The Jolly Postman by Allan and Janet Ahlberg

2. Find out about graphology
Graphology is the analysis of a person’s handwriting to gain an insight into their personality and character. It’s an interesting and illuminating subject to look at together with older kids. For instance, did you know that small writing reflects a person who concentrates on one thing at a time, or that a wide loop on the letter ‘e’ denotes a liberal-minded individual? Find out more here.
What to read: Graphology: What does your handwriting reveal about you

3. Create a writing space
Select a place in your home you can turn into a writing space. Provide nice writing paper and cards, envelopes, stamps, fun pens and an address book – everything your family might need to get started in the wonderful world of letter writing. If you have space, a writing table is a real pleasure – find them at second hand furniture shops such as YMCA – and then customise to suit your home. Filling those lovely little drawers and cubby holes with pens and paper is an inspiration in itself!
What to read: Playful Learning: Develop Your Child’s Sense of Joy and Wonder =- simple activities to promote reading, writing, science and social skills in children aged 4-8.

4. Experiment with street calligraphy
Go big with your writing! This is especially helpful for kids who don’t enjoy writing much, as a fun and novel way to write. The Chinese traditionally use a big brush that is dipped in water which acts as the ink. They then write their beautiful characters on the ground, on a pavement or road. You can make your own ‘brush’ with a sponge cut into a taper and fixed at the end of a pole and then dip it in water to write. The most environmental and transient way to mess about with handwriting!
What to read: How to Be an Explorer of the World by Keri Smith

5. Write a letter to a family member, friend or penpal
National Handwriting Day is the perfect excuse to dust off pens and paper, and get in touch the old-fashioned way. Discovering a proper letter on your doormat with the handwriting of someone dear to you is one of life’s great pleasures. Teach your children the value and magic of snail mail by asking relatives and friends to send them letters rather than emails, and encourage them to respond. I still have all the letters my Grandpa wrote to me in his beautiful handwriting – I know if they’d been emails I wouldn’t take the time to ritually untie them and enjoy them again and again.
What to read: Little Letters: Your First Letter Writing Set

loading