What is a significant effect of improved handwriting on spelling?

Improved handwriting positively influences spelling primarily because it allows students to concentrate less on the mechanical aspects of writing. When students have legible and fluent handwriting, they can allocate more cognitive resources to the spelling and content of their writing rather than worrying about how to form the letters. This shift in focus can lead to enhanced spelling performance, as students are more able to engage with the phonetic and semantic aspects of words rather than being distracted by their handwriting difficulties.

While other options might touch on various aspects of writing and spelling, the key benefit here is that with improved handwriting, students experience greater ease and fluidity in their writing process, which enhances their overall engagement with spelling. This cognitive liberation allows for better integration of spelling skills, ultimately making spelling tasks less daunting and improving overall spelling proficiency as the mechanics of handwriting become less of a hurdle.