How handwriting benefits your brain | Neuropsychologist Dr. Audrey van der Meer

Summary

Audrey van der Meer, a brain researcher and professor, explains how handwriting engages the brain more effectively than typing. Through years of research using EEG technology, her team found that handwriting stimulates the brain’s memory and learning centers more extensively than typing on a keyboard. Studies with children and adults revealed that handwriting involves intricate movements that activate both brain hemispheres, while typing results in less brain activity. This research highlights the importance of teaching handwriting in schools and maintaining its practice for cognitive development, particularly for children and the aging brain.

Takeaways

• 😀 Handwriting stimulates the brain more effectively than typing, activating a larger portion of the brain.
• 😀 Writing by hand involves intricate finger movements, while typing only requires simple, repetitive motions.
• 😀 EEG studies reveal that handwriting and drawing produce synchronized brain activity in low-frequency bands, while typing does not.
• 😀 Handwriting can improve memory and learning by engaging the brain's learning and remembering centers.
• 😀 Writing by hand can help children better differentiate between visually similar letters like 'B' and 'D'.
• 😀 Handwriting provides a richer sensory experience, which is important for cognitive development in children.
• 😀 Studies have shown that writing by hand is essential for brain stimulation, especially for young and developing brains.
• 😀 Research suggests that regular handwriting could help slow cognitive decline in aging brains, including those of Alzheimer's patients.
• 😀 There is a growing media interest in the benefits of handwriting, with coverage in major publications like The Economist and National Geographic.
• 😀 Van der Meer advocates for reintroducing handwriting instruction in primary schools to help develop brain function and memory.
• 😀 The use of handwriting in education is seen as essential for fostering cognitive skills and preserving cultural heritage.

Q & A

Why is handwriting considered better for brain stimulation compared to typewriting?

Handwriting involves intricate finger movements and the use of multiple senses, activating large parts of the brain. This results in more brain activity, whereas typewriting only involves simple, repetitive finger movements, engaging fewer areas of the brain.

What brain activity differences were observed between handwriting and typewriting?

In studies, handwriting and drawing triggered synchronized brain activity in lower frequency bands, whereas typewriting led to desynchronized activity in those lower bands and synchronized activity in higher frequency bands. This highlights the greater engagement of the brain during handwriting.

How did the researchers measure brain activity during their studies?

The researchers used EEG (electroencephalography) nets consisting of 256 electrodes to record brain activity from the scalp. Mathematical models helped trace the origin of the activity within the brain.

What was the focus of the 2020 study involving 12-year-old children?

The study aimed to compare brain activity while participants engaged in different tasks: drawing, handwriting, and typing. It found that handwriting elicited significantly more brain activity than typing.

How does the use of a pen affect the brain compared to typing on a keyboard?

Using a pen involves complex, nuanced finger movements and a more extensive use of the brain, fostering brain communication across different areas. Typing, in contrast, involves repetitive, simple finger movements and activates fewer brain regions.

Why do children who use tablets struggle with differentiating letters like 'B' and 'D'?

Children who learn to write on tablets often miss out on the tactile experience of forming letters, which makes it difficult for them to distinguish between similar-looking letters. The physical act of writing helps reinforce the unique shapes of letters like 'B' and 'D'.

What was the significance of the connectivity study in 2024?

The 2024 study focused on functional brain connectivity, comparing how the brain is wired during handwriting versus typewriting. It showed that handwriting activates much more extensive brain networks, while typing results in a flatter brain activity pattern.

What did the researchers recommend to the Norwegian government regarding handwriting education?

The researchers suggested that the Norwegian government should introduce a minimum of handwriting tuition in primary schools to enhance brain development, as regular handwriting is beneficial for brain stimulation.

Can handwriting help in cognitive aging and potentially delay conditions like Alzheimer's?

Yes, the researchers are planning a study to investigate whether regular handwriting, like diary writing, can help prevent cognitive decline in elderly individuals by comparing those who engage in handwriting versus those who rely entirely on digital devices.

Why is handwriting considered an essential part of our cultural heritage?

Handwriting is seen as a critical skill that connects us to our history and culture. By not teaching the next generation to write by hand, we risk losing an important dimension of human experience and personal expression.