Laura Thorburn, M.S., CCC-SLP
Trying to memorize something important for work or school—or just improve your memory in general? These days, it’s easy to rely on apps or typing when you’re trying to memorize information, whether it’s a work presentation or your weekly to-do list. But in fact, your brain may actually remember more when you write things by hand.
Research shows that handwriting is better for your memory than typing. That’s because handwriting slows you down just enough to help your brain take in, organize, and store the information. While technology is helpful in lots of ways, sometimes the best learning tool is as simple as pen and paper.
Speech therapists often work with adults who want to improve their memory skills. Handwriting strategies are a common way to support clients working on memory, organization, or communication goals. Whether you're a student, a professional, or someone coping with cognitive changes, this simple technique can make a big difference. Let’s take a look at the benefits of handwriting and how to use it as a way to improve memory.
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Get started nowHandwriting builds stronger brain connections
When you write something down by hand, your brain has to work harder. This is actually a good thing! Studies show that handwriting activates more parts of your brain than typing does. It involves movement, touch, and visual feedback. That means your brain is more engaged, which helps the information stick. A 2023 study in Frontiers in Psychology used EEG scans to compare how handwriting and typing affect the brain. The researchers found that handwriting created more neural activity related to learning and memory. It even helped participants understand and remember information more deeply than those who typed.
Another major study found that students who took notes by hand remembered more than students who typed. They had to slow down and think about what they were writing. That deeper thinking made the material easier to remember.
A speech therapist can help you build on these benefits by teaching individualized memory strategies, adjusting for your learning style, attention span, or speech-language challenges. Through guided practice, they can help you turn techniques like handwriting into powerful, daily habits.
Writing by hand makes learning personal
Typing is fast, but it often becomes automatic. You might not even think about what you're writing. In contrast, handwriting is slower and more personal. You can choose how to organize your notes, underline key words, or draw arrows and pictures. These small choices help your brain connect with the information on a deeper level. Speech therapists help clients personalize how they take notes or rehearse spoken information. For example, if you're working on delivering a clear and confident presentation, your therapist might show you how to script key phrases by hand, then practice saying them aloud. This kind of multi-sensory learning (writing, seeing, speaking) helps lock the material into memory.
For people learning a script or preparing a presentation, this personal connection is powerful. It can even help you remember how you felt when you wrote the words, which makes them easier to recall later.
How to use handwriting to boost your memory
If you want to remember something, try this:
Write your lines or notes out by hand on a notebook or index cards.
Read what you wrote out loud, then write it again from memory.
This technique doesn’t just help you remember the words. It engrains the information and also helps you feel more confident and focused.
Other ways to improve your memory
Issues with memory can be a common part of aging. If you’re looking for ways to cope with forgetfulness, there are many strategies and tools that can help, in addition to writing things down by hand.
Cell phone: Cell phones can help with memory in lots of ways. An obvious one is speed dial, so you don’t have to remember phone numbers. But you can also use the camera to take pictures or videos to record information, or use the phone’s alarm or calendar to remind you to do a task.
Sticky notes: It’s simple, but it works! You can use sticky notes to draw your attention to something. For instance, if you need to remind yourself to water your neighbor’s plants, place a Post-It note on the door so you’ll see it when you leave.
Predictability: Try to do routine tasks in the same way or at the same time. For example, put your sunglasses in the same place every night so you always know where to find them. After you do this for a while, you’ll form a habit.
Environmental rearrangement: This strategy involves physically changing your surroundings to make remembering easier. Because memory is related to attention, we may be more likely to remember something when we shift our attention. For example, most of us keep our medicine in a cabinet or drawer. But if you want to remember to renew your prescription, you might put it on your kitchen counter. That way, you’ll shift your attention to it and remember to call it in.
Speech therapy can help you strengthen your memory
You don’t have to figure out how to boost your memory on your own. A speech therapist can help you figure out how to make the most of these techniques based on your goals, strengths, and challenges. Whether you’re preparing for a presentation, recovering from a brain injury, or dealing with cognitive changes, personalized speech therapy can give you the tools to learn more effectively and improve your memory.
Expressable makes it simple to work with a licensed speech therapist, on your schedule, from the comfort of home, work, or wherever you happen to be. We’re here to answer your questions and help you decide on next steps. Get matched with a speech therapist here.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can handwriting improve memory?
Yes, research shows that handwriting is better for your memory than typing. When you write by hand, it slows you down, which helps your brain take in, organize, and store the information. For example, in one study, students who took notes by hand remembered more than students who typed.
Is handwriting good for the brain?
Handwriting activates more parts of your brain than typing does. It involves movement, touch, and visual feedback. When your brain is more engaged, you retain more information. For example, when researchers compared handwriting and typing, they found that handwriting created more neural activity related to learning and memory.
What helps with memory?
There are lots of ways to cope with forgetfulness. In addition to handwriting, you can use your phone or sticky notes, change things in your environment, and create predictable new habits. A speech therapist can teach you memory strategies tailored to your goals, strengths, and challenges.
Key takeaways
Research shows that handwriting is better for your memory than typing. Writing by hand helps your brain take in, organize, and store information.
Compared to typing, handwriting creates more neural activity in the brain, so you understand and remember information more deeply.
One recommended technique is to write your lines or notes on paper, read what you wrote out loud, then write it again from memory.
There are many ways to improve your memory, whether for work-related needs or to manage cognitive changes due to aging or a brain injury. A speech therapist can create a personalized treatment plan to help.
How Expressable Can Help
Concerned your child isn't reaching age-expected milestones? Looking for communication support from a professional? Expressable is a national online speech therapy practice serving children and adults. We treat all major areas of communication and feeding, offer flexible hours including evenings and weekends, and accept most major health insurance plans. We’re proud to have earned more than 3,000 5-star reviews from our clients (4.9/5 average).
Our therapy model is centered on parent and caregiver involvement. Research proves that empowering caregivers to participate in their loved one’s therapy leads to better outcomes. That’s why we combine live, 1-on-1 speech therapy with personalized education and home practice activities for faster progress.
Communication is more than words. It’s how we share how we feel and show who we are. We’re here to help you or your child do just that.
