Once Upon a Time

DeAnna Willman

He shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law.. and it shall be with him and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear YHWH his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers… Deuteronomy 17:18-20

Our next two helpers in this post are quickly disappearing yet used to be practiced by everyone on a daily basis. I’m talking about handwriting and reading physical books. Once upon a time everyone was taught handwriting in the 2nd or 3rd grade of elementary school. Today, most schools no longer bother teaching handwriting. We literally have a whole generation that cannot read or write cursive. Is that a problem when so much has gone to digital and typing? Yes! First, if they cannot read cursive, how will they ever read and know what older generations wrote? Our founding fathers wrote everything, including our founding documents and their notes, in cursive. This generation is illiterate when it comes to what was written even by their grandparents, let alone anyone else in history.

Second, cursive writing is taught a specific way, but ultimately, each person develops their own style that reflects their personality. When it comes to typing, there is no expression of personality. Everyone is the same, no matter what font they use.

Third, typing does not engage the brain like handwriting does. When one is using cursive there is a synchronized activity across the entire brain, but especially within the regions linked to memory and learning. Typing stimulates very little of the brain and does not stimulate these particular regions. Handwriting stimulates faster learning and better retention of concepts within the incoming information. Students who hand write their notes in class consistently score up to 20% higher in understanding the concepts taught as compared with those who type their notes. Handwriting causes the brain to experience both theta and alpha waves. Theta waves help process new information and support working memory. Alpha waves aid the brain in long term memory formation. This exercise moves information from short term memory to long term memory.

Handwriting supports the deep thinking needed for learning and improved attention span. It has also shown to stimulate and strengthen the region of the brain connected to self-control. Today, one of the therapies being suggested for older people and those with early signs of dementia is journaling in cursive. This simple exercise has shown success in protecting the brain from cognitive decline. All these benefits are being denied to the brains of a whole generation who were never taught something many schools deem outdated! Is it any wonder they tend to dwell on negative thoughts, are unable to regulate their emotions, and make wise decisions?

Once upon a time if you wanted to read or learn something, you would go to the library or bookstore and obtain a physical book. Today many people (who do actually read) simply read a digital book. Digital book platforms have become very popular and are making lots of money. There are libraries all across the country that are closing down because they cannot afford to compete with those companies for readers. Yet, what are we losing by going digital over physical with our reading? Well, reading physical books will build and strengthen your cognitive skills- your brain’s ability to function normally. Not so with digital books. When reading a physical book there is a greater connection between the regions of the brain that involve language processing and higher order process such as attention, memory, social skills, and self-control. Reading a physical book supports spatial memory and aids in a greater comprehension and recall of what was read.

Academic scientists, psychologists, and social workers have found a connection between the number of print books in a home and the academic achievements of the children in the home. The greater the number of print books found (and read) in the home, the greater the academic achievement. Reading on screens does not stimulate, support, or strengthen any of those things. An additional negative to reading only digital is that reading on screens predominately alters the brain waves, so they become similar to those who struggle with ADHD.

This week I hope you will choose to read a good physical book, the Bible would be a great one with which to start! Spend some time in a library or bookstore browsing for a good story or information to take in over the next couple of weeks. Read a book to a child.

Practice your handwriting skills. Choose someone to whom you will send a thank you note or note of encouragement. Choose to write out your list of things to do rather than type them into the phone. Write notes in your physical calendar. Teach someone younger how to write in cursive. Imagine the blessings that will be had by your brain as you choose to practice even these brain helps. When the brain heals, the body will follow. Remember, it all begins with a choice in your mind. How will you choose to treat your brain? Until next time….

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 1 Timothy 4:13