Denelian Handwriting

Denelian handwriting ruined my kids' penmanship.

RUINED IT.

Here is how Denelian is described on one website:

Letters are slanted and appear as a "mix" between standard print and cursive. Although it does not give as much visual reinforcement of reading words found in early elementary reading books, some school districts feel teaching handwriting with these letters helps children make an easier transition to cursive writing.

Remember when Benjamin Spock told parents in the 1940s and 1950s that if parents held, cuddled and kissed their children they would not be well prepared to survive in the harsh world? Denelian handwriting is the same poppycock.

Instead of starting at the top to form the letter, children were taught to start at the bottom, the area closest to them, because children naturally want to start with themselves and go outward.

Rubbish. Children will learn what you teach them.

So, when I tried to read a paper by Strat tonight, I struggled to make out the words. Jack and Chase's handwriting is better, but they all write like they are left-handed, making odd start and stops, contorting their hands to build the words and doubling back on letters to close them.

This was a very, very, very bad idea for the school district, and I don't think it will be rectified for those who learned this way. Fortunately, they no longer teach this method. I wish they had wised up before my kids entered.