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Don’t Tell’ Math Method for Dyslexic Kids

As a parent of a child with dyslexia, you know the unique challenges and triumphs that come with nurturing their learning journey. You have the power to make a significant difference in their education, and we’re here to share valuable insights that can help.

Don’t Tell’ Math Method for Dyslexic Kids

As a parent of a child with dyslexia, you know the unique challenges and triumphs that come with nurturing their learning journey. You have the power to make a significant difference in their education, and we’re here to share valuable insights that can help. Discover how using a “show, don’t tell” approach in math, reinforcing learning through repetition and re-explanation, and fostering collaborative learning environments can empower your child to thrive. Embrace these strategies, and witness the incredible impact you can have on your child’s growth and confidence.


“Implementing ‘Show, Don’t Tell’ in Math Education”
In a discussion about effective teaching methods for children with dyslexia, a “show, don’t tell” approach was highlighted as beneficial for math education. Specifically, the transcript mentioned, “they use like a show don’t tell approach so like right away when you think about that you go oh like I feel like I’m hearing this math moments connection going on here right like we’re like we’re not just gonna like tell you how to do the math we’re going to show you and hopefully you’ll get some learning out of it.” This method involves demonstrating math concepts rather than directly explaining them, allowing the child to discover and understand the material through observation and engagement. For instance, instead of verbally explaining how to solve a division problem, a parent might use physical objects to show the process of dividing a set into equal groups. This approach can be particularly effective for children with dyslexia, as it leverages visual and kinesthetic learning styles. For parents, this insight means that by adopting a “show, don’t tell” method in teaching math, they can enhance their child’s understanding and engagement with the subject.

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For parents of children with learning challenges: Embrace the "show, don't tell" approach in education, ensuring lessons spark curiosity and end with clear consolidation to tie up learning for all students.

Re-explaining Concepts for Dyslexia Support
In a TV show, a character who missed a crucial reveal was later re-explained the entire scene step-by-step by another character who was present during the initial reveal. This re-explanation was presented matter-of-factly, ensuring the absent character fully understood what had happened. Parents of children with dyslexia can apply this technique by repeating and re-explaining concepts in various ways, similar to how the character in the TV show was brought up to speed. For instance, if a child struggles to understand a math concept, the parent could explain it verbally, then use visual aids, and finally provide a practical example. This method ensures that children with dyslexia have multiple opportunities to grasp the material, even if they missed it the first time around.

We’re not just gonna like tell you how to do the math, we’re going to show you and hopefully you’ll get some learning out of it.

Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Don’t Tell’ Math Method for Dyslexic Kids

Collaborative Learning Benefits and Implementation
Mark and the narrator have engaged in collaborative learning, which has proven to be a valuable educational approach. They have been learning together for several years, with Mark joining the team a couple of years after Yvette. This method involves delving into concepts as a group, which has been described as a fantastic journey. For parents of children with dyslexia, this example illustrates how setting up similar collaborative learning environments can be beneficial. By facilitating such settings, children can gain from diverse explanations and support, enhancing their learning experience.

Key takeaways

  1. Engage Through Storytelling: Use storytelling techniques in math lessons to make them engaging and relatable. The podcast discusses how TV shows like NCIS and movies like The Sixth Sense use a 'show, don't tell' approach, which can be adapted in the classroom to spark curiosity and fuel sense-making. By presenting math problems as stories or mysteries, children with learning challenges can be more engaged and better understand the context and purpose of the lesson.
  2. Consolidation is Key: Ensure that lessons include a consolidation phase to clarify and reinforce learning. The podcast emphasizes the importance of 'tying the bow' at the end of a lesson to ensure all students understand the learning goals and how they connect to future learning. For children with learning challenges, this step is crucial as it helps them connect the dots and understand the bigger picture, reducing the likelihood of them feeling lost or 'oblivious' to the lesson's purpose.
  3. Reflect and Review: Encourage reflection and review to solidify understanding. The hosts highlight the value of reflecting on lessons, suggesting that parents and educators can help children with learning challenges by discussing what they learned and how it applies to future problems. This can be done through conversations at home or by leaving reviews and reflections on educational platforms, which helps reinforce the material and ensures it sticks with the child.

Practical Strategies for Dyslexic Children’s Learning
For parents of children with dyslexia, incorporating practical strategies into daily life can significantly enhance learning. Start by using multisensory approaches, such as combining visual aids with hands-on activities; for example, using blocks or counters when teaching math concepts can make abstract ideas more tangible and improve number sense. Encourage frequent breaks during study sessions to prevent frustration and maintain focus, perhaps setting a timer for 20-minute intervals followed by a short, active break. Additionally, reading aloud together can improve comprehension and build confidence; choose books that interest your child and take turns reading pages. Lastly, celebrate small victories and progress, no matter how minor they may seem, to keep motivation high and learning enjoyable.

They specifically write another scene later on that all of a sudden this character comes off… from somewhere else… and then someone who was there re-explains the whole thing very matter-of-factly very step by step to them so that if the viewer… didn’t pick up the pieces they can get it again.

Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert

Tailored Education for Dyslexic Children
For parents of children with dyslexia, embracing tailored educational approaches can lead to significant long-term benefits and positive outcomes. By focusing on strategies that spark curiosity and fuel sense-making, children can develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of math and other subjects. Logical reasoning, along with these methods, not only enhances academic performance but also boosts confidence and fosters a love for learning. It’s important to set realistic expectations and celebrate small victories along the way, as progress may be gradual but meaningful. Remember, every child’s journey is unique, and with patience and support, your child can thrive and achieve their full potential.

Empower your child’s learning journey with dyslexia by using the Brain Bloom System, which incorporates a “show, don’t tell” approach, repetition, and collaborative learning. Start making a difference today at https://learningsuccess.ai/brain-bloom/.

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· Learning Success expert Writes about the learning brain for parents who want plain answers. Every article is grounded in current neuroscience and classroom practice.