Writing by Hand Helps Kids Learn to Read and Spell Better, Study Shows
Young children learn letters and how words work more effectively when they write them by hand instead of typing. A recent study by researchers from the University of the Basque Country found that kids aged 5β6 who practiced new letters and made-up words using pencil and paper performed significantly better in recognition, pronunciation, and writing tests. The results suggest that handwriting still plays a crucial role in early literacy β even in todayβs digital classrooms.
Inside the Experiment: How Researchers Tested Handwriting vs. Typing in Kids
According to Neuroscience News, the study was conducted by Dr. Joana Acha and her team at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) in Spain. It was published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Experimental Child Psychology in 2025 (DOI: 10.1016/j.jecp.2025.106195). The researchers set out to test how different writing methods β handwriting versus typing β affect children’s ability to learn unfamiliar letters and word structures from scratch.
Fifty children between the ages of five and six took part. This age group was chosen because itβs a key stage in learning to read and write. The researchers used a creative method: instead of familiar letters, the kids learned nine letters from the Georgian and Armenian alphabets, plus 16 made-up words (βpseudowordsβ) created by the team. This approach ensured that all children were starting from zero and not relying on previous knowledge.
The children were divided into two main groups:
- One group learned by handwriting with pencils on paper.
- The other group learned by typing on keyboards.
Each of these groups was then split again:
- Some children copied letters with the help of dotted lines or a fixed font (low variability).
- Others copied freely without guides or with varied fonts (high variability).
After training, the children took three tests: identifying the letters, writing them, and pronouncing the made-up words. The handwriting groups outperformed the keyboard groups in every category.
What Makes This Study Unique
Most earlier studies tested children using letters from their native alphabet, making it hard to know if they were truly learning new symbols or just recalling old ones. This research is different: it used unfamiliar letters to ensure that all learning occurred during the study.
This is also one of the first studies to explore how the way children practice writing β freely or with visual guidesβaffects learning when combined with handwriting or typing. The results help explain why writing by hand gives children a stronger foundation for early reading and writing skills.
Key Findings: What Helped Children Learn Better
1. Handwriting helped children remember letter shapes more clearly. Kids who practiced by writing with a pencil were better at recognizing the new letters. The act of forming each letter by hand helped their brains remember the shapes more effectively than typing.
Tip: Encourage your child to create their own letter cards or copy words onto paper to support memory.
2. Speaking and writing go hand in hand. Children who typed the letters had more trouble pronouncing the made-up words later. Writing by hand seems to strengthen the connection between seeing, saying, and remembering letters and words.
Tip: Let your child say the letters or words out loud while writing them β it makes a big difference.
3. Freehand writing produced the strongest learning. The children who wrote on blank paper, without visual guides or dotted lines, learned the most. They remembered letters better, wrote them more accurately, and pronounced the new words more confidently.
Tip: Start with tracing only if needed, then move to blank paper so your child can practice forming letters freely.
4. Too much guidance can slow down progress. Tracing dotted letters can be helpful in the beginning, but if used too long, it becomes a habit. Children may stop thinking about how letters are formed. The study showed that writing without guides helped children become more confident and independent.
Tip: Gradually remove tracing aids and let kids explore writing on their own β even if itβs not perfect.
5. Hand movements improve memory and understanding. Writing by hand involves physical motion that helps lock information into memory. Typing doesnβt activate the same brain areas. Children who moved their hands to form each letter learned faster and remembered more.
Tip: Set aside regular time for writing with pencil and paper β even short sessions help build cognitive skills.
What This Means for Children’s Brain Development
The physical act of handwriting helps children in several ways. It boosts memory, coordination, strengthens the connection between sounds and letters, and supports overall reading development. In contrast, typing involves repetitive finger tapping, which does not engage the brain in the same way.
Why This Matters for Schools, Families, and Everyday Learning
The study sends a clear signal: even in todayβs digital world, handwriting remains essential for how children learn to read, write, and remember. While technology plays an important role in modern classrooms, it should supportβrather than replaceβtraditional tools like pencils and paper.
For teachers, this means keeping regular handwriting activities in early education. For parents, itβs about making space at home for children to write freely, whether itβs drawing letters, copying favorite words, or writing short notes.
Digital tools, when used wisely, can support learning routines. For example, platforms like CogniFit offer interactive brain activities that help train memory, attention, and other key cognitive skills βcomplementing traditional methods like handwriting. Used alongside handwriting practice, cognitive training can give children a more complete learning experience.
Tips for Parents and Teachers
- For children aged 7 and up, tools like CogniFit can help train and monitor memory, attention, and other key cognitive skills.
- Combine handwriting practice with digital brain games to build strong mental connections.
- Start with letter tracing if needed, but switch to freehand writing as soon as possible.
- Let kids say letters and words aloud as they write them to reinforce learning.
- Avoid replacing handwriting with typing entirely in early grades β use both intentionally.
Conclusion: Writing by Hand Builds Brighter Learners
This study confirms what many teachers and parents have long suspected: handwriting plays a key role in how children learn letters and words. It supports memory, strengthens reading skills, and engages the brain in ways typing cannot.
At the same time, we live in an increasingly digital world β and thatβs not a bad thing. When used mindfully, digital tools can complement handwriting practice and help train important cognitive skills like memory, attention, and focus.
The real takeaway? Children benefit most when both worlds work together. A pencil and paper lay the foundation, and thoughtful technology can help build on it.
The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. For medical advice, please consult your doctor.
