Print vs Cursive vs D'Nealian: Which to Teach and When
Schools and parents often wonder which handwriting style to teach first—print, cursive, or the hybrid D'Nealian method. Each approach has distinct characteristics, advantages, and challenges. Understanding the differences helps you choose the right style for your student's age, learning needs, and educational context.
Print (Manuscript) Handwriting
Print, also called manuscript writing, consists of separate letters written upright (or nearly upright). It's the most common style taught first in schools, typically starting in kindergarten or early first grade. Print letters resemble the text your student sees in books and on screens, making the letters instantly recognizable and relatable.
Advantages: Print is easier for young children with developing motor control, as the letters are simpler and don't require complex connections. Letters are clearly distinct, reducing confusion. Print letters appear throughout daily life—on signs, packaging, and digital devices—so students see constant real-world examples.
Disadvantages: Transitioning from print to cursive requires learning largely different letter shapes and connections, which can feel like starting from scratch. Print writing is also slower than cursive for older students and adults who write extensively by hand.
Cursive Handwriting
Cursive connects letters together in a flowing, joined script. Most schools introduce cursive in second or third grade, after students have solidified their print letters. By this stage, children's fine motor skills have developed enough to handle the graded precision and hand manipulation that cursive requires.
Advantages: Cursive is faster than print for sustained writing, which benefits students taking notes or writing essays. Some research suggests continuous-stroke writing may help reduce reversal errors (like confusing b and d). Cursive also develops fine motor control and hand-eye coordination.
Disadvantages: Cursive requires significant relearning after mastering print, and many students find the transition frustrating. Cursive is less commonly seen in everyday life (texts, emails, digital media), which can feel disconnected from real-world writing. In some regions, cursive instruction has been reduced or removed from curricula in favor of keyboarding skills.
D'Nealian Handwriting
D'Nealian is a hybrid method developed between 1965 and 1978 that aims to bridge the gap between print and cursive. In D'Nealian print, letters are written at a slight slant and include small tails or "monkey tails" that resemble their cursive counterparts. When students transition to D'Nealian cursive, they simply connect these tails—no major letter reshaping is necessary.
Advantages: According to D'Nealian curriculum materials, 87% of lowercase letters are nearly identical between print and cursive, making the transition seamless. This reduces confusion and rework. The continuous-stroke aspect can lower reversal errors in students with dyslexia or other writing difficulties. D'Nealian is widely adopted in both public and homeschools, so students often encounter consistent instruction.
Disadvantages: The added tails in D'Nealian print can look unusual compared to standard print, which may confuse students if they switch schools and encounter traditional print instruction. If a student moves to a school or region that teaches standard print or Zaner-Bloser cursive, the transition can create frustration. Real-world examples of D'Nealian print are rarer than traditional print, making it harder for parents to reinforce the style at home.
Typical School Sequence
Most U.S. schools follow this pattern: introduce print (manuscript) in kindergarten or first grade, teach cursive or D'Nealian cursive in second or third grade. This sequence reflects child development—younger students need the simplicity of print, while older students have the fine motor control and cognitive readiness for joined writing. Research suggests waiting to teach cursive until after students master print helps avoid confusion.
Which Style Should You Choose?
Your choice depends on context and goals:
- Standard Print: Best for early learners (K–1st grade) or if you want real-world alignment with books and media. It's the easiest entry point and most universally recognized.
- D'Nealian: Choose if you want a smoother transition to cursive and your student's school uses it. It works well for students prone to letter reversals.
- Cursive: Introduce in 2nd–3rd grade after print is solid. Cursive benefits note-taking and develops fine motor skills, though it's less essential in an increasingly digital world.
Using the Generator for Your Style
Our handwriting worksheet generator lets you create practice sheets in your chosen style. If you teach print, use the Print option and focus on letter formation and spacing. For D'Nealian transition, generate D'Nealian sheets to reinforce the tails and connections. If you're introducing cursive, create cursive practice sheets and pair them with traced examples so students see the flow and joining.