| What is D'nealian handwriting? D'nealian is an | | | | in natural, progressive stages. Children use a finger |
| alternative to the traditional style of manuscript | | | | to trace a model letter, first following the |
| handwriting. It is more like cursive than traditional | | | | directional arrows, then on their own. |
| manuscript. It combines some elements from | | | | Beyond just being easier to learn than manuscript, |
| traditional manuscript and some from cursive | | | | supporters claim the primary benefit of D'nealian is |
| resulting in a new style which is somewhere in | | | | that it makes it easier for kids to make the |
| between the two. | | | | transition to cursive because they will already be |
| This new handwriting style was created by an | | | | familiar with many elements of cursive. |
| elementary school teacher named Donald Neal | | | | But while it might solve some problems, critics |
| Thurber. The name comes from his first initial | | | | claim D'nealian creates other problems which |
| combined with his middle name. While it has rapidly | | | | outweigh the benefits. Critics have two main |
| gained supporters, D'nealian school and home | | | | objections: |
| school curriculum materials can be somewhat | | | | |
| difficult to find because they are published | | | | 1. D'nealian students can and probably will skip |
| exclusively by Pearson Education. Pearson offers | | | | learning traditional Zaner-Bloser manuscript |
| D'nealian curriculum books for both manuscript and | | | | altogether. However, if they do that they might |
| cursive for grades K-8. | | | | be penalized later for failing to write with |
| So should teachers abandon traditional manuscript | | | | traditional manuscript, especially if they move to a |
| and replace it with the new style? That is a | | | | new school district where D'nealian is not taught |
| debate that follows D'nealian wherever it goes. | | | | and traditional manuscript is expected and |
| Advocates claim it is easier for kids to learn than | | | | required. |
| traditional manuscript for two reasons: | | | | 2. To solve the first problem, students would |
| | | | need to learn all 3 handwriting styles. However, |
| 1. D'nealian requires fewer pencil lifts so there are | | | | learning three different styles means a lot more |
| fewer errors, especially common errors of | | | | work and increases the likelihood of confusion. |
| reversing letters like 'b' and 'd' or 'g' and 'p'. Since | | | | To keep it simple, critics say it would be best to |
| there are no pencil lifts required to form these | | | | just forget D'nealian altogether. |
| letters, students are far less likely to reverse the | | | | Who is right? Both sides make valid points. The |
| letters. | | | | final choice comes down to personal preferences |
| 2. D'nealian introduces children to lowercase letters | | | | so the debate could go on for a long time. |