Post by: kimmer on March 03, 2018, 12:52:31 PM
Make sure your kids/grandkids spend less time with the electronic gadgets and more time with pencils, pens, crayons and such.
Post by: Paddy on March 03, 2018, 03:16:50 PM
QUOTE(kimmer @ Mar 3 2018, 02:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/fe...ech-doctors-say
Make sure your kids/grandkids spend less time with the electronic gadgets and more time with pencils, pens, crayons and such.
Make sure your kids/grandkids spend less time with the electronic gadgets and more time with pencils, pens, crayons and such.
No surprise there, unfortunately. My own handwriting has deteriorated terribly from the days when I spent a large part of my working day doing landscape architectural drawings (by hand). Now, when I have to write anything lengthy by hand, not only is the control gone, but my hand cramps up pretty quickly. My sons (both in their 20s) have TERRIBLE handwriting. They don't teach it in school anymore either (at least not in the US or Canada) - and neither of them can easily read handwritten cursive.
All those little muscles/fine muscle control need regular exercise to stay in shape - that goes for all of us, not just the kids!
Post by: kimmer on March 03, 2018, 04:34:23 PM
QUOTE(Paddy @ Mar 3 2018, 02:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE(kimmer @ Mar 3 2018, 02:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/fe...ech-doctors-say
Make sure your kids/grandkids spend less time with the electronic gadgets and more time with pencils, pens, crayons and such.
Make sure your kids/grandkids spend less time with the electronic gadgets and more time with pencils, pens, crayons and such.
No surprise there, unfortunately. My own handwriting has deteriorated terribly from the days when I spent a large part of my working day doing landscape architectural drawings (by hand). Now, when I have to write anything lengthy by hand, not only is the control gone, but my hand cramps up pretty quickly. My sons (both in their 20s) have TERRIBLE handwriting. They don't teach it in school anymore either (at least not in the US or Canada) - and neither of them can easily read handwritten cursive.
All those little muscles/fine muscle control need regular exercise to stay in shape - that goes for all of us, not just the kids!
Yup. I've been forcing myself to actually write with pen on paper because I noticed the same thing you have: deteriorating handwriting. I actually find it relaxing now to sit and journal.
Post by: gunug on March 06, 2018, 09:15:41 AM
has gone away in favor of "printing" real fast if I have to take notes or write a note; computers of course. My father
gradually lost the ability to write legibly so when he retired he took a couple of calligraphy courses to improve. Maybe I'll
do that!
I suspect that there must be a computerized calligraphy course or app out there!
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 06, 2018, 11:44:21 AM
My best penmanship was a result of printing notes on building plans for a few months long, long ago...
Post by: Sooz on March 07, 2018, 03:50:09 AM
My cursive skills are due to being "taught" at a time when my motor skills were primed and ready, AND because of the good Sisters of Notre Dame! We also received a grade for *handwriting* as part of our report cards.
As an adult, I took a copperplate calligraphy class. I did okay and improvement was steady over time, but my calligraphy teacher was an awesome calligrapher!
Smiles,
Sooz
Post by: gunug on March 07, 2018, 09:40:14 AM
QUOTE
Place a crumpled tissue between your child’s palm and last two fingers, and have them hold it there. It helps keep those extra fingers out of the way as they write.
https://offspring.lifehacker.com/how-to-tea...8822.1511286867
https://offspring.lifehacker.com/how-to-tea...8822.1511286867
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 07, 2018, 12:02:10 PM
Post by: krissel on March 07, 2018, 09:59:46 PM
As to the script style losing it's place, I often think of the exquisite letters sent back home from the soldiers on the Civil War battlegrounds. As difficult as it was then using dip pens or even quills, the beauty of the text is delightful. Even the lesser educated of the troops was still able to compose delightful prose executed with impressive skill.
Below is a link to a forum thread that is interesting to parse if you are the least bit intrigued by the script styles of the Civil War era.
https://civilwartalk.com/threads/civil-war-...g-styles.75834/
A few quotes from the discussion that I found pertinent :
QUOTE
It sure does take practice but, if you stop before you get writer's cramps and add little by little to the time, it is enjoyable. Plus, everybody wants to see soldiers write orders and reports. It won't hurt for kids to get interested in writing as it isn't taught as the computer is taking over. Kids and older kids and even big kids aka adults love a challenge, especially when it adds to an impression. It isn't easy in the beginning but once you get the hang of it--its easy and wonder what the big fuss was about.
Remember though, in the early 1800's--nobody printed. That was for books. Everybody started writing and from middle grade throughout their life--write, write--write. After freedom away from teachers then people went and added their own personal flourishes to it.
Remember though, in the early 1800's--nobody printed. That was for books. Everybody started writing and from middle grade throughout their life--write, write--write. After freedom away from teachers then people went and added their own personal flourishes to it.
QUOTE
Being a student myself--usually there is a film of oil on dip pen nibs to prevent rust. Could be hand oil too. Squirt Windex or some glass cleaner with ammonia and wipe it off with a paper towel or toilet tissue. That big dollop of ink could be due to angle also. Quills (feather) are hollow like a straw so its gravity feed and like hand under water, angle regulates the flow. Could be ink problems too. Fountain pen ink is more watery than dip pen ink and runs faster off the nib. Uncapping the bottled fountain pen ink to allow it to evaporate some may be of help. Anyway--Ms. Weyraugh has worked with left handers before and she stresses that such writers must be extremely light in their up strokes as they are going against the grain per se.
Paper also matters. Staples Eco Friendly sugar cane paper is a Left Handed person's best friend as it lacks the fibers in normal writing pads and cotton rag content. Until getting the 'knack' of caressing paper with a sharp as a razor nib as you write, its smooth surface is writing on glass and don't run into the snags.
Paper also matters. Staples Eco Friendly sugar cane paper is a Left Handed person's best friend as it lacks the fibers in normal writing pads and cotton rag content. Until getting the 'knack' of caressing paper with a sharp as a razor nib as you write, its smooth surface is writing on glass and don't run into the snags.
Addendum: I taught Calligraphy to my 5th and 6th graders using the dip pens and special tips. The kids seemed to find it fascinating though doubted whether they would ever use the skill. A few years after I retired I got an email from a former student who thanked me for the experience. Seems he had no idea what to get as gift for his mother's birthday, remembered his old art class, bought a pen set and ink, practiced for some time and produced an illustrated poem in Old English. His mom broke down and cried when he gave it to her.
Post by: Xairbusdriver on March 08, 2018, 08:52:16 AM
Post by: kimmer on March 08, 2018, 10:49:16 AM
QUOTE(krissel @ Mar 7 2018, 08:59 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
ddendum: I taught Calligraphy to my 5th and 6th graders using the dip pens and special tips. The kids seemed to find it fascinating though doubted whether they would ever use the skill. A few years after I retired I got an email from a former student who thanked me for the experience. Seems he had no idea what to get as gift for his mother's birthday, remembered his old art class, bought a pen set and ink, practiced for some time and produced an illustrated poem in Old English. His mom broke down and cried when he gave it to her.
Priceless memory. Thanks for sharing it.
Post by: gunug on March 08, 2018, 11:20:35 AM