FOUNTAIN OR BALLPOINT PEN: WHICH IS BETTER AND USEFUL FOR KIDS?
What pen do you use, guys? What pen do your kids use?
In local schools kids start writing process with a pencil, then they use ballpoints pen. Fountain pens aren't used at schools at all, and in general, they are not popular now.
Maybe the reason is in price - they cost more than ballpoints pen. But let's check their real comparison and advantages.
My boy is a left-hander, and I bought a special pen for him, for the left hand.
But it's a ballpoint pen, and I worried if I did right choosing it. I studied this topic, read many investigations, and I decided to change pens - I've bought a fountain pen for my son.
Why?
There're many reasons.
Correct grip
Ballpoint pens are more practical.
But they do not have one feature that is characteristic of a fountain pen - a pen receives ink when it is tilted correctly.
This feature helps both children and adults hold the pen correctly - at a certain angle so that the hand does not get tired while writing, and the lines are smooth and clear.
Writing is easy and enjoyable
My boy often says he is tired, and hi hand is tired, though only 5 min after his start of writing passed. I know it's Ok for hias age because hand muscles are too weak now, but that's the reason - a pen should help a kid, not make new problems for his hand!
The fountain pen slides over the paper. It is not necessary to make an effort to draw a line.
Prevention of carpal tunnel syndrome
If you constantly work at a computer and completely refuse to record manually, you can earn carpal tunnel syndrome = the wrist constantly “aches”.
To avoid the development of pathology, use a fountaon pen. While writing, the wrist is stretched due to smooth movements.
Fountain pens save money
If we compare the ink consumption in ballpoint pens and fountain pens, we'll see the second option is more economical. While you are using one bottle, your friend can buy 6-7 new ballpoint pens.
Fountain pens can write anywhere and anywhen
It can draw clear lines on paper of any size, wood and even cardboard.
And one more bonus: the ink in fountain pens does not freeze at low air temperatures!
And some historical facts:
left side - a fountain pen
right - a ballpoint modern pens and pupils
Сalligraphy and slackness of the arm, shoulder and hand were traded for speed of writing and bad posture.
In 1968, in the USSR, the fountain pressure writing was replaced by continuous writing with a ballpoint pen. There was no scientific justification for this reform. It was considered to be natural progress and improvement.
But....NO.
Сalligraphy of the past years
Who has such writing now?
Moreover, left-handers don't use continious writing. It means right-handers can write the whole word without pauses and breakaway from the paper. Left-handers - no, in most cases.
And it's one more reason to be attentive choosing a pen for them.
A hand of a kid should be relaxed, without any tension that can lead to many problems with health in future.
Now my boy writes with a fountain pen, and I really see his hand is more relaxed now.
My investigation was useful for me for sure, and I hiope for you too;)
source of pics
https://xn--b1ahgb4arh9h.xn--p1ai/stati/chto-luchshe-perevaya-ili-sharikovaya-ruchka/
The main problem with fountain pens is that they they can leak and destroy an entire shirt. They can also be a little bit messier.
I like using old fashioned dip pens with are usually little more than a nib attached to a stick.
as far as I know modern pens don't make such a problem
earlier in the 1960s when my parents were school pupils they suffered from this problem really often
Fountain pens need to make a comeback, along with pocket watches. Between being a better fashion accessory and a lot safer than wrist-watches, how many people can't tell time because of digital watches?
On a more serious note, there's something else you may want to get for your boy, at least if he starts using a computer regularly: a left-handed vertical mouse. Vertical mice are much better for the wrist than conventional mice, and they seem to be getting more popular, but the left-handed version is really hard to find (try Amazon, that's where I got mine).
how many people can't tell time because of digital watches? - yeahh, you're right, especially kids
safer? - you mean wrist watches are dangerous? why?
Vertical mice - wow, I've never heard about them, thank you, I'll check them!
now he uses our standard mouse, and btw by his right hand;)
It's not that wrist-watches themselves are dangerous, but lots of things are dangerous to do while wearing one, like working on any type of machinery. Some people also consider them a health hazard, but that's only true if you never clean the band.
mmmm....sorry...didn't get you
if you never clean the band - what does it mean?
Watch bands have lots of places for dirt to accumulate, they are not sanitary like smooth, single-piece bracelets or rings. Besides, bacteria are not fond of gold or silver, but they love leather, plastic, and all the stuff that collects between the links of metal watch bands, which are usually stainless steel.
Greetings @taliakerch , I find this article very interesting!
I was not aware of the stigraphs; I always knew about the advantage of ballpoint pens; I am a high school teacher; and whenever I assign some work to my students, I tell them that it has to be in ballpoint pen, and they scream to high heaven! hahaha because they are used to the creyon pencil.
But when I explain it to them, they accept calmly!
Today I learned about the fountain pen, although sadly I know that in the small town where I live it is difficult to find one!
Blessings!
thanks for your comment!
do you kids like to write by a pen more than by a pencil? why? it's easier to write by a pencil, as teachers and many experts in kids development say
try to see fountain pens in the internet, you'll find them, and maybe you'll like them more;)
Hi @taliakerch, thanks for the information on the pen, it has been enriching, you have done a very thorough research to help your little one with the use of the fountain pen, besides writing it exercises motor skills and prevents the development of carpal tunnel.
Blessings!
hope it's useful for you too;)
I mainly use a Fisher Space Pen for day-to-day, and I used to use technical pens for drafting. Library work is ballpoints and felt-tip pens. I have never used a fountain pen, but I'd like to run a library program on proper penmanship at some point.
you've named so strange pens, I've never heard about them:) I should google I think;) why don't you like a fountain pen?
It's not a matter of dislike. I simply have never used one.
Rapidograph drafting pens are very nice for technical drawing. They use ink similar to that of fountain pens.
I had already read your post on the left-handed pen and although I was unaware of its existence, I thought it was the best option at the time. However, if you did further research and determined that it was not the right alternative, it is best to correct. The important thing is the child's well being and that he/she feels comfortable with the instrument he/she is writing on. Greetings.
yeah, for sure! we all are different, and what goes fine for one, can be awful for another, so we will check it;) thanks for care!