I cannot recommend too highly Nan Barchowsky's wonderful new publication outlining her BFH, Barchowsky Fluent Hand. It has been produced with great care and attention--the written text is thoughtful, imaginative, warm, playful and authoritative all by (appropriate) turns. Indeed as I read it again and again I was struck by Barchowsky's _tact_ (that great principle of appropriateness so carefully explored by Matthew Arnold--no mean thinker about education), and the clear concern made evident for a range of audiences and venues. The material on the accompanying CD is both extremely useful and delightful; each illustration, and each videofile, pursues and develops vital processes and perspectives in lively (and charming) fashion. Lawrence Wheeler, Phd Professor of Humanities and Applied Linguistics Director, University Honors Portland State University --Lawrence Wheeler, Phd, Professor of Humanities and Applied Linguistics, Director, University Honors, Portland State University
We had a wonderful time learning BFH together in kindergarten and first grade at Progressive this year! We do big letter dances in first grade now, moving our bodies (leading with our writing fingers ). We used shaving cream twice, have made the circle and written on each other s backs, and I made a writing board for every child so now I don t worry about how ridiculous it is to emphasize posture when desks and chairs and bodies are so badly mismatched. We are having happy writing lessons every day now... some longer, to learn new letters, and some shorter, to dance or write with our eyes closed, etc.
Thanks again! Jennifer from Progressive School of Long Island. NY --Jennifer from Progressive School of Long Island, NY
I have known Nan for several years, a leading figure in the Washington DC Calligraphy Guild. She is internationally renowned for her merits in handwriting and Calligraphy.
Well known and respected as an educator with more than 30 years experience in the classroom and tutoring many youngsters and adults with handwriting problems.
As an author, her BFH Fluent Handwriting Manual makes her an authority in the subject.
Her system has been introduced and used in many schools.
As a teacher and presenter I can only compliment her ability to communicate both with children and adults. Personally, I have attended her presentations and benefited from her guidance as an instructor and from her expert knowledge of handwriting history.
Her Italic hand is truly an exemplar for the expert and beginner. Nick Olmos-Lau, MD --Nick Olmos-Lau, MD
We had a wonderful time learning BFH together in kindergarten and first grade at Progressive this year! We do big letter dances in first grade now, moving our bodies (leading with our writing fingers ). We used shaving cream twice, have made the circle and written on each other s backs, and I made a writing board for every child so now I don t worry about how ridiculous it is to emphasize posture when desks and chairs and bodies are so badly mismatched. We are having happy writing lessons every day now... some longer, to learn new letters, and some shorter, to dance or write with our eyes closed, etc.
Thanks again! Jennifer from Progressive School of Long Island. NY --Jennifer from Progressive School of Long Island, NY
I have known Nan for several years, a leading figure in the Washington DC Calligraphy Guild. She is internationally renowned for her merits in handwriting and Calligraphy.
Well known and respected as an educator with more than 30 years experience in the classroom and tutoring many youngsters and adults with handwriting problems.
As an author, her BFH Fluent Handwriting Manual makes her an authority in the subject.
Her system has been introduced and used in many schools.
As a teacher and presenter I can only compliment her ability to communicate both with children and adults. Personally, I have attended her presentations and benefited from her guidance as an instructor and from her expert knowledge of handwriting history.
Her Italic hand is truly an exemplar for the expert and beginner. Nick Olmos-Lau, MD --Nick Olmos-Lau, MD
In 1975 Nan Jay Barchowsky began her career as a handwriting specialist. She presents lectures and workshops internationally, and is published in several magazines.
Barchowsky taught children in an independent, elementary school where she developed Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting, based upon the italic used in the United Kingdom. She had the advantage of being in classrooms where she was able to closely observe the fine motor capabilities of children.
In the mid 1980s Barchowsky designed two exemplar fonts. The one for beginners includes dots to indicate starting points for strokes. Later the fonts were rebuilt to allow for contextual alternates (allowance for specified ligatures).
In the 1980s the success of the Barchowsky program inspired her to edit and publish Cursive Italic News, the Barchowsky Report on Handwriting. The newsletter attracted international contributors and subscribers.
In 1997 BFH, a Manual for Fluent Handwriting was self-published. BFH Fluent Handwriting Manual is the 2008 updated and enhanced version.
