How to improve learning for dyslexics with repetition
Dyslexia is a short-term memory problem that is particularly evident when it comes to reading and spelling words. My methods focus around Dyslexia learning improvement.
Dyslexia was originally called “Word Blindness”. It is believed to be a genetically inherited condition in which insufficient chemicals called neurotransmitters are present in the linguistic area of the brain. These transmitters are specific chemicals enabling memory to take place and when they are in short supply, memory is poor. There is an area in the linguistic part of the brain called the Angular Gyrus. This area is responsible for recognising combinations of letters and attaching the appropriate sounds to them. When this area is not working to its full capacity letters merely appear as meaningless shapes. This happens with dyslexics.
To help children with dyslexia build up a strong enough memory bank of letters and their sounds the teaching process for a dyslexic has to involve a great deal of repetition.
Words are combinations of consonants and vowels. When we look at a word we do not look at every separate letter. We tend to group letters into certain recognisable patterns or chunks which are are the building blocks of words. We see combinations of consonants which are Consonant Blends. There are also combinations of vowels which are known as Long Vowels. On larger words there are word-beginnings and word-ending, called Prefixes and Suffixes.
Exercise
A great exercise, for Dyslexia learning improvement, to start with is practicing the sounds of the letters in the alphabet with your child. Here are four exercises you can do to get started with these building blocks:
Get a wooden or a plastic alphabet and spread the letters out alphabetically in a rainbow shape (arc)
- Learn the order of the letters alphabetically by singing and clapping a rhythm. These are the NAMES of the letters.
- Scramble the letters up and time with a stopwatch how long it takes to get them back in the correct order. Do this repeatedly and see the time decreasing.
- Cut some small squares of paper and write a word on the front of each one. Now looking at the first letters only arrange these words in alphabetical order.
- With the alphabet arc in place pull out the vowels and place in a line. The letters left in the arc are the consonants. Revise the SOUNDS of these consonants and of the vowels and then start making simple CVC words (Three letter words made up of consonant, vowel, consonant like dog, or map)
This repetition, practice and playing with your child will help these sounds a letters “stick”, why not ask your child to challenge you too?
Repetition in the Help for Dyslexia Course
In my course there are 5 sets of flashcards that I use. Along with the basic Alphabet Pack itself, there is a pack for each of the combinations or patterns mentioned above.
Often the mere mention of the term “flash cards” to pupils makes them immediately assume they are regressing back to their first year at school! I have to re-educate them against this form of negative thinking. I prefer to call them the “Angular Gyrus Activators” which instantly makes them sound much more sophisticated! In actual fact though, that is precisely what they are.
Each card has on its front the specific sounds, and on the back a key word containing those sounds. Next to that is the phonic sound symbol in brackets. When the card is held up, if the right response is given instantly that card is placed in one pack. If there is hesitation or silence or an error that card is placed in a different pack.
Focus for Dyslexic Learning Improvement
These are our focus and the cards in this pack are illustrated and repetition and activities used to help us learn together.
The pack is worked on until all the symbols and their sounds are said accurately.
Then the stopwatch comes out and the pack timed many times until the cards are being said as fast as is humanly possible. This has awakened the Angular Gyrus and memory has been laid down.
After work has been done on each pack and all the building blocks have become familiar images they no longer pose a problem.
A pupil came to me at the age of 5, barely able to read even the simplest of words. By the time she was 7 she was reading words like “electromagnetism”. This skill was entirely down to the regular flashing of the flashcards into her brain; Angular Gyrus Activators..!
Repetition is just one element in our kitbag of helping children with dyslexia which you can use in your everyday interactions with your child.
USING OUR RESOURCES to help you take control
The difference helping a child take control of their learning can make can’t be understated. Helping them see that there is a way to improve their reading, spelling and understanding of language makes for an emotional turning point in their confidence and self-esteem!
Useful learning resources
Find out more about how to support children with dyslexia with Spelling Success, a mnemonic dictionary by Chris Blance.
A dictionary of 263 high frequency words using the initial word mnemonic chant method. Each word has it’s own unique chant and cartoon illustration. Targeting only words that are not spelled correctly, it is quite usual for pupils to remember hundreds of these chants and a chant learned is a word that can be spelled correctly. This book can transform the spelling of commonly occurring words in a fun way!
Once a child sees that they can find a way of leaning that works for them you’ll find a huge difference in their confidence.
If you’d like to discuss my Dyslexia learning improvement methods you can contact me via the website or my Facebook page.