Dyslexia - Homeschooling - and Family Pressures
I am a young (34 is young right?) homeschooling mother with 6 girls aged 11, 8,7,6,4, and 5mo. I understand that one of your degrees is in special ed and I am curious if you would have some advice for me.
My 8 yr. old and 7 yr. old both are dyslexic, but with differing symptoms. Also, my 8,7,and 6yo all have ADD to some degree. This makes our schooling very difficult sometimes. What bothers me the most though is the lack of support from either family and their assumption that my children are destined to fail b/c of hsing.
We have come along way in the past year and my 8yo is just almost reading fluently, yet my 7yo still really struggles with just recognizing her alphabet, it seems to confuse her terribly. I know I must spend a lot of one on one time with her this year and really focus on helping her, but I also have many other demands on my time with the other little ones.
Do you have any specific suggestions for me to help? I love my girls and they really are wonderful. My 11yodd is a wonderful help and is very smart and enjoys ministering to her sisters. She always finds a way to really encourage them in their learning.
Thank you so much for listening.
Dear Busy Mom:
Your children 8 and down, are still very young. Raymond Moore in his book Home Grown Children (I think that is the title?) suggests that 8 is the time to even begin schooling. Lower you expectations and celebrate small advancements! You should immediately read Fenelon’s book on the Education of a Child. This book will help you in ways you cannot imagine. ADD? What is that? Oh, you mean that label educators came up with because they didn’t know how to teach children who don’t learn according to our western educational standards? If I were in school today, I would be labeled ADD, DHD, BDD, and ZDD! Today, I am the founder of 2 organizations, speak around the world, have 3 master’s degrees, and presently working on a doctorate. All that to say that children all learn at different stages, times, and with a variety of styles. ADD? Some children learn best while they are actively involved. They need their bodies in constant motion. King Louis IV’s grandson was extremely hyperactive and positively dangerous! Fenelon’s approach helped this boy to become a gracious prince. What our children need most is our love, mercy, unconditional acceptance. Love never fails! NEVER!
Find out what experiences your children enjoy the most and cultivate these.
Lastly, there is a company that I do not know much about, but I “think” that they would be worth looking into. There name is NATHHAN: Homeschooling children with special needs or learning disabilities.
PO Box 39
Porthill, ID 83853
(208) 267-6246
nathhannews@aol.com
www.nathhan.com
If you would be so kind and let me know of your progress and anything beneficial that comes of your contact with Nathhan, this would be helpful as I share victories with others in need.
Bottom line, get rid of the labels and celebrate your children’s uniqueness! They have been uniquely designed by God!
Mark
