Author Archives: BFH Handwriting

A list of pens

This list of 42 of best pens for 2023 includes some recommended for left-handed writers. While this isn’t an endorsement from BFH for any specific pens, it may be a useful resource for anyone looking to improve their handwriting. It … Continue reading

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Hooray for New Zealand!

This far away land got handwriting right! Literacy has become a serious problem. The decision was to implement handwriting instruction for every child. New Zealand did something that I wish would happen here in the USA: they actually searched international … Continue reading

Posted in All ages, Education, News, Older Students & Adults, research | 1 Comment |
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Heavy Lifting

Pen Lifts are often referred to but not always understood. Advocates of conventional cursive cite the advantages of writing whole words without lifting the pen. Truth to tell, many who were brought up with, and continue to write a good … Continue reading

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Debunking Pro-Cursive Arguments

Controversy: The dance of the pen versus digital communication is part of the Common Core rant. Substantial research supports the need to teach children handwriting. Most schools teach, have taught, or are/were supposed to teach it. There is a growing … Continue reading

Posted in All ages, Beginners, cursive, Directional Movement, Education, News, Older Students & Adults, research | Leave a comment |
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This Made My Day!

Miss B, Thank you so much for your educational videos on monkeysee.com. I am a highschooler, and my handwriting has often been the butt of my friends’ jokes at school during classroom, due to it being so illegible. Your videos … Continue reading

Posted in All ages, before and after, Education, Older Students & Adults | Leave a comment |
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Something to Look for in Cursive

No, not cursive italic! I refer to the cursive that is in danger of disuse. Recently I saw an image online of conventional cursive that was intended to demonstrate its value. A flaw came to my attention that said problem! … Continue reading

Posted in All ages, Beginners, cursive, Education, Older Students & Adults, Posture, Rhythmic Movement | Leave a comment |
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Joyful Learning

This comes from NPR today: http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/08/06/336361277/scientists-say-childs-play-helps-build-a-better-brain Apparently there will be more on the subject this week—from 8/6/2014 As stated herein before, we should leave forming letters and numerals until kids are ready. Their hands and fingers need to develop so … Continue reading

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Pre-Writing Activities

Recently I observed a half hour Kindergarten handwriting class. It was exceptional! It was all about hand and finger strengthening and finger positioning as it applies to holding a writing tool. No letters. No numbers. 1) Lacing: Thread colored yarn … Continue reading

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Always Something New to Learn!

I relearned something! I say relearned because several years ago Dr. Rosemary Sassoon, a renowned handwriting expert and author of numerous books on the subject, told me, “Don’t trace.” Sounded good, but how to teach children to write without a … Continue reading

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Take Care with Cursive

Recently there was an excellent article in the New York Times: What’s Lost as Handwriting Fades. If you are concerned about handwriting instruction, take care with what they say about cursive. Read, listen and view everything thoughtfully, analytically. The NYT article … Continue reading

Posted in All ages, Beginners, cursive, Education, News, Older Students & Adults, research | Leave a comment |
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