How learning and practising cursive handwriting has an impact on
children’s brain development and on the ability to spell

Ever since last year when Psychology Today published its article, “Why writing by hand could make you smarter,” there has been an upturn in interest in the benefits of teaching cursive writing.

Drawing on research from Indiana University in 2013, the article reported that it seems that learning cursive writing actually enhances the brain’s capacity for optimal efficiency and the integration of sensation, movement control, and thinking.

It seems that through this activity multiple areas of brain become co-activated in a way that doesn’t happen with typing or just visual practice.

There is even a spill-over benefit for thinking skills. Cursive writing requires fine motor control and attention to detail, and this combination of focus seemingly activates areas of the brain that can enhance the retention of spelling – even in children who have difficulties with learning to spell.

Of course, that is not to say that practising cursive writing can combat the effects of dyslexia, but there seems to be little doubt that it can help dyslexic pupils who are being supported in other ways.

Thus, as the Indiana University study shows, cursive writing has benefits for primary school children that go far beyond reading, printing or using a keyboard.

It was to help with this vital development of the brain that Multi-Sensory Learning produced its Handwriting Activity Workbook which consists of over 300 structured exercises designed to establish the correct cursive letter formation and encourage an automatic response to frequently used spelling choices.

The books are available in packs of five for £39.95 per pack. A 15% discount is applicable for orders of 4 packs and over.

You can order The Handwriting Activity Workbooks in any of these ways:

• On our website
• By phone on 01536 399017
• By fax to 01536 399012
• By email to msl@schools.co.uk
• By post to Multi-Sensory Learning, Earlstrees Court, Earlstrees Road, Corby, NN17 4HH

Save on first aid and sports medical supplies

It’s time to look forward to the remainder of the Autumn term and you may be considering whether you have enough first aid consumables to see you through. We’d like to help you out with a cracking offer:

£10 Off Your Next Order

Coupon Code: Autumn 2014

When you spend £50 or more we’ll give you a £10 discount. Just visit www.physical-sports.co.uk to do your first aid shopping, and enter the coupon code at checkout, or give us a call. It couldn’t be simpler. This offer is open until the 30^th November 2014.

Here are some of our most popular offers:

Instant Soothe Cold Pack – Buy 50+ for only 58p each excluding VAT

Tape and strapping in discounted case quantities-

Cohesive Bandage from only 66p a roll excluding VAT

Zinc Oxide Tape from only 90p a roll excluding VAT

The Relisport Stadium First Aid Kit is very comprehensive sports first aid kit, suitable for use by sports teams.
It includes all the necessary sports first aid supplies, including dressings, plasters, tapes, bandages and ice packs. The contents are organized in grab bags to make it very fast and efficient to use.
Free UK Delivery when you order this First Aid Kit. £36.41 excluding VAT

We offer 25 free instant ice packs with orders totalling over £100. Just quote ‘Free Ice’ in the comments box when ordering online. All orders over £75 also qualify for free delivery.

 
Physical Sports Limited
T: 01943 662155
E: sales@physical-sports.co.uk
W: www.physical-sports.co.uk

How honours boards are helping schools to transmit their values to students and their parents

Honouring members of the school community is the most obvious and direct way of generating a sense of civic and personal pride, as well as ensuring that parents fully appreciate that the school has values about which it cares passionately.

Having an honours board also helps the school to face the problem that its members move through the school and then leave to enjoy the rest of their lives. It ensures that the fundamental principles that lie behind the school are not taken for granted and are clearly and overtly expressed.

What’s more, such boards commemorate the work of the school and the individuals that have made it what it is, recording the names of those who have served notably as students or teachers.

Likewise the board can record the triumphs and achievements of the school across the years, be it the names of those who have generously donated to the school or the triumph of the under 12s football team in winning the county cup.

Indeed, once the history of the school is on display for all to see, it becomes more real, both to those within the school as well as to parents and visitors.

In this way placing such an honours board in the assembly hall or school entrance proclaims to one and all that these past events and the individuals who created them are important and will not be forgotten.

Likewise for the school that has had the good fortune to be rehoused in new premises in recent years the honours board can establish the connection between the exciting new building of today and the previous premises that have been used.

Greenbarnes has a long history of creating and supplying honours boards for schools across the UK. There are examples of such boards on our website.

You’ll also find links to other aspects of our work at the foot of the honours board page – or you can call 01280 701093 for a copy of our catalogue, or to discuss individual projects.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Michael Barnes