At the school where I teach, starting from Grade 4 level, children are taught cursive writing, but it is not strictly observed, I don't think. Which means, they are taught how to write in cursive, but then in other subjects, children write as they wish, and are allowed to submit their work, that is not in cursive writing.

Yes, children are sponges and they can learn anything so easily. That's why in my other posts, I explained how immersing them in a language whilst they're young can help build their fluency in that particular language.