Does Handwriting still matter?Ladies and Gentlemen the topic I have chosen today is Whether handwriting really matters? We live in a day of technology, where typing and speech recognition is taking us away from our fountain pens, pencils and rollerballs. Are some of us just too old fashioned or technophobes that we still write and think and prepare with paper and pen? Some Educators are saying so and schools are focusing more on keyboard skills. But research is telling us different and I hope by the end of my short talk I will answer this question. The great Author Philosopher and founder of the scientific method Francis Bacon said Reading maketh a full man; speaking a ready man; and writing an exact man. And today I want to focus on the third of those activities.My research on this subject has produced at least three reasons why you should not completely abandon your pen and paper for digital technology. Though there are more reasons I have focused on three due to the short time available to us. You will immediately recognize these as vital markers of success. I propose to you 3 Crucial benefits of Handwriting. They are the Calmness, Concentration and Cultivation.Firstly writing Calms our mind: Writing slows the mind down to be more meditative . Dr. Marc Seifer, an expert on handwriting says that Writing a calming sentence is a form of graphotherapy, Seifer says. Jotting down a sentence like, "I will be more peaceful" at least 20 times per day can actually have an impact, especially on those with attention deficit disorder."This actually calms the person down and retrains the brain," Seifer says. Being calm and reflective is a crucial predictor of a success and health in a world of stress.Secondly writing Concentrates our attention: It engages the filter of your reticular activating system and teaches you to focus. Focus is a skill that is highly needed in an age of distraction. In her book write it down make it happen, Henriette Anne Klauser says that "Writing triggers the RAS, which in turn sends a signal to the cerebral cortex: Wake up! Pay attention! Don't miss this detail!'Thirdly and finally writingCultivates our Intelligence the frontal lobe, the parietal lobe and your motor cortex. The linked regions of the brain for reading are activated while writing by hand, but not while typing or texting. The Wall street Journal says that doctors are beginning to recommend handwriting to be a good cognitive exercise for baby boomers working to keep their minds sharp as they age."One key difference is movement. That involves the motor cortex of the brain, so ... you are using more of the brain then when you simply type.So I want to encourage you to get pen and notebook and empower yourself with the simple and powerful skill and habit through handwriting and discover why the pen is mightier than the sword