Journal title QUADERNI DI DIDATTICA DELLA SCRITTURA
Author/s Cinzia Angelini
Publishing Year 2026 Issue 2026/43
Language Italian Pages 16 P. 17-32 File size 0 KB
DOI 10.3280/qds2026oa22799
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The article presents a reflection on the complexity and importance of handwriting in children’s cognitive and motor development. Starting from the analysis of graphomotor prerequisites, it highlights how these skills are fundamental for the automatization of the graphic gesture, whose execution cannot, however, ignore proper posture and grip. The article also focuses on some key and distinctive aspects of handwriting, including the relationship between memory, executive functions, and writing skills (Truxius et al., 2024); the greater functionality of cursive writing compared to block letters in facilitating the processing of mental processes, primarily reflection and critical thinking (Brustenghi, 2025; Travaglini, 2019; Angelini, 2016); the positive correlation between handwriting and brain development, memory, and learning, as demonstrated by recent neuroscientific research (Wolf, 2018; Dehaene, 2019); embodied cognition (Borsini et al., 2025; Capaci and Ferrara, 2026), which posits that cognitive processes are deeply rooted in bodily experiences. Finally, the article examines pedagogical implications, also considering the National Guidelines for the curriculum (2025) which recognize the value of cursive writing as an essential element for the integrated development of higher-order skills, reaffirming the importance of preserving and promoting this ability in the educational path.
Keywords: handwriting;graphomotor prerequisites;neurosciences;embodied cognition
Cinzia Angelini, Festina lente. Quando la scrittura (in corsivo) genera il pensiero in "QUADERNI DI DIDATTICA DELLA SCRITTURA" 43/2026, pp 17-32, DOI: 10.3280/qds2026oa22799