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What do you guys think about starting cursive before manuscript? Or even starting cursive in 1st grade? I have been reading a lot about it lately and I know some people from our co-op who are doing it. They think that it is easier for kids to learn cursive first because all the letters start at the same point on the line and it reduces revearsals. The Phonics/Lanugage Arts program we are using recommends it, and I am just not sure about it. It seems like there is research to support both sides. What do you guys all think about this? I noticed HOD uses Cheerful Cursive in Bigger and manuscript in LHFHG. What handwriting style is recommended for Beyond?

The writing in Beyond is copywork using the poetry from each unit. I don't see that Carrie suggests one style over the other for Beyond copywork.

As far as what approach you should take, cursive vs. manuscript....I don't know that my 2 cents will help much.. but for what its worth, I say to do whatever works for the child. Some kids may do fine with cursive early on. Some may not. I will say I am defintely of the more relaxed approach when it comes to early academics. I have a 5yo. son, and if he was not "on board" with beginning cursive, then I would take that as my "cue" to back off. Does that make sense? But I realize that is just my opinion, and that not everyone may have the same philosophy!! You'll know what to do! If you want, try cursive and see what happens. I think you'll know pretty quickly if cursive is too much for the child.

Sorry I can't be more help!:)

How funny that this is a thing! I guess I just am always amazed at all the new theories coming out. We live in such a great, albeit chaotic, time to homeschool.

I have a third grader who's manual handwriting is not very good, but her cursive is beautiful. She's a very artistic kid, so cursive seems more like doodling to her. I don't worry about either, though, because it's just one of those battles that I've chosen not to fight. Good penmanship will come with time. And when they're adults, they'll use mainly computers, anyway. Think about it, who has the worst handwriting of all the professions? Doctors!

No scientific claims for this on my part, but personally I prefer manuscript while young children are learning to read, because it resembles the print in books more closely. Once they have learned to read, I like to teach cursive, both writing it and reading it. Cheerful Cursive is a great program that works on both.
As for the progression of skills in HOD, manuscript is taught using a workbook in LHFHG and practiced in Beyond through copywork. Cursive is taught in Bigger Hearts with a workbook and an option to continue poetry copywork, then practiced in Preparing and CtC through copywork, studied dictation, and written narration. In the upper level guides, the child can choose whatever he is more comfortable with, as long as he does his neatest work