By Joe Creal, Assisant Head, Upper Key Stage 2 at The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai

With distance learning introduced to children’s lives as a direct result of the global pandemic, and with more technology and online applications available than ever before, there’s no surprise that the traditional act of handwriting is being left behind.

Putting good old pen to paper boasts an array of cognitive and learning benefits for children and in this digital age, there’s never been a more important time to make sure that children are still making time for physical handwriting.

At the Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai, we are trying to incorporate traditional school practices such as handwriting into everyday school life because the proven benefits are incomparable. We understand the importance of technology within the classroom and use it frequently, however, we are trying to blend the two worlds of technology and tradition together for the most productive learning outcome. We see technology as a function that supports students on their journey and handwriting a skill that consolidates the foundations of their learning. With this in mind, here are the top five reasons to encourage your child to put down their device and put pen to paper.