Is it me or do winters seem to drag on and on and on?
Winters tend to be pretty tough for me. I'm sure many of you probably can relate.
This winter has been a bit more tolerable! Yes, it has been a bit milder than last year's winter, which could be part of it, but I also have gotten out and played more...snowshoeing, curling, building a snowbear, a weekend getaway to the North Shore, which included a couple of hikes, rolling down a snowy hill, and sliding down some icy steps at Gooseberry. I even have gotten to check a couple of things off my bucket list.
I guess you could say I decided to embrace winter instead of dreading it and it has paid off!
It is hard to tell what March will have in store for us here in Minnesota! Whether it is snowy or spring-like, I encourage you to embrace whatever it may bring and get out and play. As adults, it is so easy to forget to play, but play is so important!
"Play for adults is critical in our stressful go-go-go lives. Play has been shown to release endorphins, improve brain functionality, and stimulate creativity. And it can even help to keep us young and feeling energetic. Studies show that play improves memory and stimulates the growth of the cerebral cortex. Play has also been shown to trigger the secretion of BDNF, a substance essential for the growth of brain cells."
(Full article link here: https://wanderlust.com/journal/the-importance-of-play-in-adulthood/)
So let's get out and play this upcoming month and boost those endorphins!
Wishing you a wonderful March!
Warmly,
Tracy Doyle
Testimony Time!
If Not Phonics Then What?
I Googled, “What is the best way to teach reading?”. The answer? Phonics. One site, in particular, struck a nerve with its list of “10 Simple Steps to Teach Your Child to Read”. I had tried all ten on the list of so-called simple steps with my son and let me tell you, they were far from simple or fun for him! Rhyming, phonics, nonsense words with “key sounds” all had been tried and all had failed. Little did I know then that all of these things that he struggled with were characteristics of Dyslexia. So what if phonics doesn’t work? In comes Google search #2. Answer? Push more phonics. Wasn’t it Albert Einstein (my favorite individual with dyslexia) who said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result?”
Turns out my son, like many other early learners, falls into a category Educational Researchers call “non-responders” or “treatment resistors”. In fact, 30-50% of children with learning disabilities fall into this group. Both labels don’t sit well with me as a parent or a Licensed Davis® Facilitator as I feel that it suggests that there is something wrong with the child and not with the method being used. You can read more about what it means to be a “non-responder” here.
The question I’m sure you are asking is, “If not phonics then what?” How about a program that yields significant gains in confidence and self-esteem, as well as improved reading skills? YES!
The Davis® Dyslexia Correction Program changed my son’s life in all of those ways! If you are tired of watching your child’s confidence and self-esteem decline while pushing through phonics with little to no improvement, it’s time to stop the “insanity” and try something different!
Discover how dyslexia develops, signs to look for and solutions that help. Meet Bobby and Bailey , two dyslexic learners who find their gifted way of thinking and learning!
A BIG thank you to Sharon Roberts for sharing this amazing video!
Hope
Does your child remember what was taught one day, but not the next?
You are not alone!
Here at Minnesota Learning Solutions we offer a fun effective approach to learning. We can help assess what’s going on and layout a plan for your child’s educational success.
We have hope and help for dyslexia, ADHD, Executive Functioning, Autism and Trauma. It's easy to get started! Just reply to this email or call 763-250-0485.
Professional services described as Davis®, including Davis Dyslexia Correction®, Davis Symbol Mastery®, Davis Orientation Counseling®, Davis® Attention Mastery, Davis® Math Mastery, and Davis® Reading Program for Young Learners may only be provided by persons who are trained and licensed as Davis Facilitators or Specialists by Davis Dyslexia Association International. dyslexia.com
