While digital tools are ubiquitous in educational settings, the act of writing by hand offers unique advantages that simply cannot be replicated. In fact, it plays a fundamental role in cognitive and motor development. It remains a fundamental component of elementary education, serving as a critical skill that lays the foundation for higher education.
Studies have shown that handwriting activates the parts of the brain associated with reading and writing, improving learning processes in non-typing ways. For example, research published in Early Learning and Development highlights a significant correlation between handwriting proficiency and academic performance.1
In particular, children who develop fluent and legible handwriting tend to produce higher quality long texts, which directly affects their academic performance and self-esteem.2 But what happens to the brain when these processes are involved? That’s what researchers sought to answer in another study.
Handwriting stimulates cognitive and emotional pathways for better learning.
A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience examined how different spelling devices affect the learning of new words. In particular, researchers tried three methods – colored pens, digital pens and keyboards. The study focused on both behavioral outcomes and brain activity, with the goal of determining which method best enhances memory and comprehension.3
The study involved 33 right-handed Japanese speakers aged between 21 and 48 who were divided into groups based on their proficiency with digital pens. This assignment allowed the researchers to assess how prior experience with digital handwriting tools affected learning outcomes.4
Participants engaged in a 10-minute learning session in which they were tasked with recalling new words using one of three spelling strategies. After tests were completed, it was found that handwriting with ink or a digital pen significantly improved recall of new words compared to writing on a keyboard.
Specifically, the handwriting groups showed a greater N400 priming effect, a measure of brain activity associated with language processing and memory formation.5
The study also highlighted the role of emotion in learning effectiveness. Regardless of the type of writing instrument used, participants reported feeling more positive when typing than when using handwriting. This positive emotional state is critical because it facilitates the process of translation—the brain’s ability to understand and integrate new information. As a result, the improved sensitivity during handwriting contributes to the improved learning outcomes observed in the study.6
In addition, the study examined the effect of familiarity with a digital pen on learning effectiveness. Participants who were accustomed to using digital pens were found to show greater learning benefits when using them compared to typing.
This suggests that familiarity with writing tools further enhances its benefits in the learning process. In contrast, those unfamiliar with digital pens still benefited from writing by hand with a colored pen, which still produced better learning outcomes than typing.7
Handwriting helps to improve memory formation
The study also found that the physical activities involved in writing by hand involve multiple senses and this strengthens memory. Handwriting activities facilitate the recognition of abstract graphic shapes, letters and written words, which makes the learning process more effective. This motor-perceptual integration confirms that writing is not just a mechanical task, but a cognitive activity that actively involves the mind in learning.8
Moreover, the formation of neural connections during handwriting plays an important role in memory formation. The increase in brain activity in the parietal and central regions during handwriting indicates that these areas are involved in coordinating motor and perceptual processes, which are important for effective learning and memory retention.9
Unlike typing, which often involves repetitive and less varied movements, handwriting requires the complete creation of each letter, thus engaging the mind more deeply. This involvement explains why handwriting is better for remembering and understanding new words than typing on a keyboard.
Handwriting shapes children’s brains better than any other method.
Another study, published in Trends in Neuroscience and Education, explored how different alphabet learning methods — handwriting, typing, and tracing — affected brain activity in young children who were just beginning to learn to read. Specifically, the study focused on how these different writing practices affect the way children’s brains develop the connections necessary for reading and writing.10
The researchers selected 15 children ranging in age from 4 years to 2 months to 5 years. All participants were right-handed and native English speakers from Bloomington, Indiana. The researchers aimed to understand which learning method best activates the brain regions involved in reading and writing.11
Children who practiced handwriting showed activity in areas such as the inferior frontal gyrus and posterior cingulate cortex. These regions are known to play a major role in the formation of letters and words, which are the basic skills of reading.12
The relationship between reading and handwriting
Handwriting practice has also been shown to be critical to developing early literacy skills. Basically, constant use of handwriting helps establish a neural system that supports continued reading development. As children write letters repeatedly, their brains become more adept at processing these symbols, laying the foundation for improved literacy.13
The study emphasized that handwriting’s unique ability to activate parts of the brain associated with reading sets it apart from other forms of alphabet learning. Unlike typing, which often involves repetitive and monotonous movements, handwriting allows for the creation of varied and individual letterforms. This flexibility is critical for children as it increases their ability to recognize and understand different situations of the same letter and further strengthens their reading skills.14
On closer inspection, the study found that handwriting engages the fusiform gyrus, an area of the brain closely associated with identifying letters and words. In particular, activation is more pronounced when compared to typing or tracing. Basically, by physically modeling each letter, children create stronger connections in their minds, which helps with faster and more accurate reading skills.15
Moreover, it involves the co-operation of handwriting motor and visual processes. When children write letters with their hands, the motor cortex – the area responsible for movement – is actively involved. This activity changes how the brain processes letters visually, making it easier for children to recognize and remember them later. Research has shown that this motor and visual engagement is critical to developing strong reading skills.16
Four keys to improving handwriting education
Optimum cellular energy production is essential for improved cognitive function and memory retention. This means that when handwriting is supported by a lifestyle that promotes cell health, it can significantly increase academic achievement. Here are four strategies for aligning handwriting habits with cellular energy optimization.
1. Nourish your body with a balanced diet – Make sure your daily diet contains 15% protein, and limit fat to less than 30%. The remaining carbohydrates consist of ripe fruits and well-cooked low-oxalate starches.
This ratio supports optimal mitochondrial function and provides the necessary energy for sustained mental activities such as handwriting. Avoid processed foods and harmful fats as these harm cellular functions. Foods with high fructose corn syrup increase endotoxin in your gut.
2. Maintaining gut health to support cognitive function: A healthy gut microbiome is critical for nutrient absorption, energy production and overall cellular health. Include dietary fiber carefully, focusing on whole fruits with pulp and avoiding high fiber foods to increase endotoxin levels.
I recommend getting 50 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories you consume. Make sure you get both types – soluble (dissolves in water) and insoluble (remains intact as it moves through the intestines) for healthy digestion.
A well-nourished gut reduces inflammation and supports optimal brain function, making the physical act of handwriting more effective at converting information to memory.
3. Increase cell energy by exposure to sunlight – Sunlight exposure is fundamental to the synthesis of vitamin D, a hormone important for optimal cellular health. However, until you eliminate vegetable oils from your diet, limit high sun exposure for at least six months.
Because of Linoleic Acid (LA) Embedded in your skin, it oxidizes when exposed to sunlight. For a more in-depth understanding of this topic, as well as other strategies for optimizing vitamin D production, read my article “Vitamin D deficiency complicates autoimmune diseaseHe said.
Supplement sunlight exposure with pharmaceutical methylene blue, available in capsule or tablet form from a compounding pharmacy and used only as prescribed by a healthcare professional. The recommended dose for most adults is 5 mg once a day. This adjuvant helps improve mitochondrial function by acting as a powerful electron acceptor that temporarily clears blockages caused by faulty metabolism.
4. Practice your handwriting regularly – Create a daily writing routine to keep your mind-body connection sharp. Set aside time each day for meaningful writing activities while ensuring adequate nutrition, hydration and stress management for optimal results.
Children will benefit from practicing their handwriting to help improve their fine motor skills and cognitive abilities. For more information on this topic, read my article, “Develop your child’s mind-body connection with handwritingHe said. There, I discuss 10 tips for developing your child’s handwriting in fun, engaging ways.
