D'nealion vs. "stick and ball" handwriting

[monkaha]

Is one better than the other? I've read in a couple places that the "stick and ball" manuscript can make it easier for kids to learn to read, as that's what most type in books is made of. But I don't remember having a problem with that, and I learned to write with D'nealion. I do remember cursive being really easy (and, I thought, very elegant LOL) because all the letters already had the curly tails. What do y'all think? Or does it really matter?

I ask cuz DD is really having fun 'writing' stuff, making lines and stuff, and likes to write her name, so I thought I'd start to introduce some 'official' handwriting stuff. (worksheets if she wants 'em, ?? otherwise.)

[Marsupialmom]

Some kids have no problem with D’Nealian. Others have a real hard time. Most of what our children see in print is as you describe it “ball and stick”. Some kids have a hard time switching from writing one type of font and reading another one. If your child would have fine motor skill issue D’Nealian can be more difficult.

http://www.ericdigests.org/1998-1/six.htm

If your child does fine with this go for it, but be aware of the issues with it. If it is not working DUMP IT.

Most modern writing programs are not “ball and stick” but what they call “continuous style stroke” this term includes Zaner-Bloser, D’Nealian, and Handwriting without tears.

Here is a link form Handwriting Without tears (a program that I use). It brings up some issues and were people have problem and you might want to be “flexible”.

http://www.hwtears.com/answers.htm#33

My son had fine motor skills issue and D’nealian curves was undoable for him, we tried it.

His handwriting is not frilly but very crisp clean and READABLE.

Have you thought of separating the act of clean crisp writing and the art of calligraphy (froo-froo)? I have an acquaintance that did Zaner-Bloser for “legible” writing after a failed attempt at Getty-Duby italic (she liked it because its curves and looks pretty). Her and her child are now enjoying learning calligraphy together.

I have strong leanings against D’neilian because of how hard it was for my child and a couple of my friend’s children. My one friend has 2 K’s in her last name and her son was in tears because he could not find his name several months after school had started. BUT what works for your child might be completely different. You are aware of the flaws, sometimes that is the key to success.

[aguacates]

I learned d'nealian in K and 1st, and when I switched schools in 2nd, they made me re-learn all the lettering in "stick and ball" (which I was terrible at), and then in 3rd they started in on cursive, which was easy. My printing is still terrible, and my cursive much more legible. As an opinionated kid, I thought that D'nealian made much more sense because it prepped one for cursive. OTOH, my sister never did D'nealian, learned "stick and ball" and still has issues with cursive. She always prints. Just my anecdotal POV.