Polaroids from Paris: {Cursive as an Art Form}

Apparently cursive writing is taught properly here in France. From my understanding, there is a right way and a wrong way to write cursive letters. I recall my elementary school days where we had cursive writing practices on large pads of paper. I remember wanting to write a cursive "T" different than how we were instructed, one of my classmates discovered my rebellious act and told on me. My teacher came over to look at my "T" and let me continue as I pleased. But as far as I have collected, the same scenario would have been much different had I gone to school here in France.

For example, the little girl I watch actually cried when she discovered that my cursive was not done properly. Another example comes from another au-pair friend of mine, she was reprimanded from her little girl when she was caught breaking the cursive rules. We both got on this subject while we were in this little stationary store. All sorts of fountain pens with an array of different tips, a variety of colored inks, and many types of paper to write on. There was this pretty little book filled with exercises to improve one's cursive. I don't know if the adult world is different from the school-child's world here in France, but I do know that cursive seems to be a whole other art form from the kid's perspective.

Bisous,

Reba