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My oldest dd went to a classical Christian school for K-3, so she did whatever the "traditional" writing is called. She knows how to write in cursive, but rarely does it - and truthfully, I don't require of it of her, b/c as an adult, I literally never have to write in cursive, and I don't. My adult "handwriting" is more of a blend between cursive and manuscript.

SO, thus far, I haven't done any formal handwriting with my 7 year old 1st grader. He has done copywork, and just learned how to write his capital and lowercase letters, but that's it. I'm debating what to do with him for next year, and I'm intrigued by Italic, but know *nothing* about it. Is it too late to start with it? What are the advantages/disadvantages to using Italic vs. the other?

Thanks!

Well some of the things about your handwriting are true with mine as well. To be honest to me Italic is similar in that way as well. Printing and cursive are similar. The transition from one to the other is easy. It is neat and my kids have had a real easy time transitioning to it. It's fairly self teaching which I love. I like that Startwrite has Italic as an option (also had handwriting without tears as well in case we needed that with my leftie). I have liked that my kids are picking it up quickly and that their writing looks much neater. I have one that already learned cursive and she had no problem transitioning. Her handwriting was not pretty before now it is fairly neat. We are still fairly new to it and so far no cons for us.

SandKsmama wrote:What are the advantages/disadvantages to using Italic vs. the other?

Advantage - it's beautiful handwriting and an easy transition to cursive as the manuscript and cursive and very similar.

Disadvantage - only one that I have heard (but have heard it very often) is that kiddos don't know how to read regular cursive which is what the majority of people use.

I've heard the same thing as Melanie. I looked over Italic and I was so unsure of using it because it was different from what I learned. Like even the manuscript letters were different. Oh and I have heard on other boards that the SAT now have a handwriting part that has to be done in cursive. I would double check that but that would be something else to consider.

Oh and SandKsmama, do I know you from Hearts at home?

We did Cursive First for both my sons now and I loved it.
The only downfall has been that it just isn't repeated very many popular places. [IE. leap frog stuff, etc.]
My oldest has excellent penmanship... when he wants to. He will often write in manuscript when he writes his books and scripts. Problem is he does it all wrong. I am going to teach him manuscript this summer just so he knows the right way to make his letters.

Cursive is so much faster. And yes, my handwriting is a blend of cursive and printing. I think most people's is. But printing is so slow, I feel.

And the curriculum was dirt cheap.

We started out using Italic. I grew frustrated because I don't write that way and was not able to write out copywork for DS. You can buy a CD with the font but it's around $50. I am now back to Handwriting Without Tears and DS is loving it! I'm going to use this for the younger DS' also.

Italic handwriting is beautiful and he did enjoy writing that way - it was me. I felt like if he was writing that way then I needed to also and I just didn't have the time to learn a new way of writing.

I am learning that if the curriculum is not good for the teacher then it won't be taught with enthusiasm and it will be harder for the children to learn.

Startwrite is $35 and it does Italic and Handwriting without tears if you are looking for something to put copywork in the handwriting you are using.