Two thirds of parents were also worried that there isn’t enough time devoted to it in school but a staggering 92 per cent also blamed emails and text messages for the decline in writing standards.
Almost 61 per cent even thought technology could soon wipe out handwriting altogether.
A spokesperson for Stabilo, who produce handwriting instruments specially designed for children said: ‘’Learning to handwrite is the bedrock of a good education. It is a basic skill that as adults we carry through our adult life allowing us to communicate on a personal level with those around us. We would like to see teachers receive more training and support so that they feel more confident teaching the future generation this crucial life skill.”
A spokesperson from the National Handwriting Association added: “There is a need for children to develop the sub skills for handwriting at a young age, improving their motor coordination, balance, visual perception and basic hand eye coordination. Then children need to be taught handwriting regularly and systematically from an early age and their developing skills continually monitored.”
The poll, of 2,000 parents and 1,000 teachers, revealed that 92 per cent of people thought teachers should be given proper training to teach youngsters how to write.
And 60 per cent of parents were so concerned about their child’s writing skills and believed it important to sit down with them at home to make sure they spend some time practising it.
But 24 per cent admitted they can’t actually do joined-up writing themselves, while 40 per cent don’t think it is that neat.
Almost two thirds of people also thought the days of people taking pride in their handwriting were over.
The research also found that people worry that handwriting itself could be on its way out as more than a third say they no longer write thank you notes by hand, instead opting to send a text message or email.
Another 24 per cent also say they don’t bother getting their children to write thank you notes.
Despite this, more than three quarters of Brits say they would prefer to receive a more personal handwritten note over a text message or email, showing that handwriting is more than a skill; it helps people to connect with each other.
A spokesperson for Stabilo added: “We’re pleased that people still see the huge value in handwriting and believe that people just lack confidence in their handwriting style. This often stems from their school days where they were not taught how to hold the pen correctly and therefore found handwriting a struggle. We’d like to help teachers find writing instruments that actively make handwriting easier and therefore more enjoyable.”
A massive 92 per cent of parents believed teachers to be too focused on targets and dealing with other pressures to focus on handwriting. And whereas 20 years ago parents spent three and half hours writing during school, teachers admitted to only spending two and a half hours each day on handwriting tasks.
A quarter KNEW they didn’t spend as much time as they should teaching handwriting skills and two thirds of parents don’t think enough is done to ensure a proper standard of writing.
Over half of parents believe the decline in children’s handwriting standards is a reflection of the decline in children’s discipline and behaviour.
The Stabilo‘s ‘move easy’ is an ergonomically designed pen, available in both right and left-handed versions, which has been praised by teachers, approved by parents and loved by children. The pen is specially designed to assist a relaxed hold whilst writing, preventing muscle fatigue – resulting in easy, comfortable and tidy handwriting.
3.8 million children in UK do not own a book
A new National Literacy Trust report has revealed that the number of children who do not own a book is increasing. Seven years ago 1 child in 10 did not have a book of their own while today the figure stands at a startling 1 child in 3.
The decline in children’s book ownership is of particular concern as the report shows that the number of books in the home is directly linked to children’s reading levels.
National Literacy Trust Director Jonathan Douglas believes that we owe it to our children to give them the best possible start in life. He said: “Our research found that the number of children who do not own a book has increased from 1 in 10 to 1 in 3 in the past seven years. This is of particular concern as we know there is a direct correlation between book ownership and children’s reading abilities.”
With 1 in 6 in the UK struggling with literacy it is very worrying that many children could be missing out on opportunities to develop these essential skills.
In August last year, National Literacy Trust research of 18,141 children also revealed a polarised nation of young readers with one in six reporting that they don’t read a single book in a month, while one in 10 say they read more than 10 books in a month.
This divide between the “reads” and the “read-nots” is concerning because the research shows reading frequency has a direct link to attainment, as eight in 10 children who read over 10 books a month are above average readers compared with just three in 10 of those who rarely read.
Fresh approaches are urgently needed to encourage young people to read more, says the Trust. However, the number of children who never read a book suggests the government has a huge challenge on its hands if Michael Gove’s “50 books a year” initiative is to reach every child.
The research also found that:
• 77% of children who read for longer than an hour at a time are above average readers, while just 4% who read for over an hour are below the level expected of them.
• Only 30% of children who read for up to 10 minutes at a time are above average readers, with 20% below the expected reading level for their age.
• Text messages are the most popular thing for children to read outside of class with 60% saying they read texts outside of class at least once a month.
• Children who read text messages but not fiction books are twice as likely to be below average readers compared to those who also read fiction (10% versus 5%).
National Literacy Trust Director, Jonathan Douglas, says: “Our new research shows that one in six children don’t read a book in a month, and we are worried that they will grow up to be the one in six adults who struggle with literacy to the extent that they read to the level expected of an eleven-year-old, or below. Getting these children reading and helping them to love reading is the way to turn their lives around and give them new opportunities and aspirations.”
Two-thirds ‘fail new primary phonics reading check’
The test-run of a new primary school reading check suggests two-thirds of pupils are likely to fail it when it is introduced in England next year.
Government statistics show just 32% of the six-year-olds in 300 schools who took the test last summer passed it.
The test is controversial because it contains non-words as well as real words, explains the National Literacy Trust. This is to ensure that pupils are using synthetic phonics to decode words.
Most schools use phonic methods to teach children to read, but the Department for Education says only 27% uses phonics systematically.
Critics of the test say it is designed to check children’s progress in using a specific reading system rather than their reading itself.
Schools minister Nick Gibb said: “We need to face up to the uncomfortable truth that, despite the hard work of teachers, not enough of our children are able to read to a high enough standard.
“We have to take account of our place internationally and listen to business leaders concerned about many school leavers’ literacy.”
He added that the levels primary school children are expected to reach should not be the limits of ambition, rather they should be considered the minimum expected.
