I taught it. They did it. Where did it go?
The Solution is Easier and More Fun than You Imagined :)
Why don’t they know it?
I taught them.
We did it.
They seemed to get it then, but now, it’s gone.
I’ll have to teach it again.
What’s up with this?
This is not uncommon and it’s definitely more common with students who have learning differences. You teach it and at that moment they seem to understand it. Later, it’s like they’ve never heard of the concept.
There’s actually a very simple reason for this: not all parts of their brain were activated in their initial introduction and learning of the concept.
Since all parts of their brain were not activated, they did not connect the new concept to their prior knowledge, nor did they imagine how it connects to future concepts. They are left with disjointed information that their brain tends to let go of to not feel confused.
This is why they give you that blank look when you return to the concept.
And, of course, this is frustrating for YOU and THEM.
For you, it’s frustrating because they don’t seem to be learning or progressing, of course, you’re worried.
For them, it’s frustrating because they don’t understand why they don’t remember anything (or very little) of the concept. Add to that, their feeling of disappointing you.
Let’s talk about this. Let’s talk about activating all parts of their brain. It’s easy! It’s fun! It will change everything.
Their learning it the first time, even as a dyslexic, is about total immersion and total engagement with a concept. When they are totally immersed in a concept, they easily connect it to all prior learning and can imagine how it will connect to future concepts.
In other words, they learn it. They own the concept. The next time it comes up in their studies, they will be able to tell you all about it and how it connects to all their studies. The problem of them not “remembering” is solved!
Now let’s talk about what “total immersion and total engagement” with a concept means and what it looks like.
A simple way to think about immersion with a concept, especially a vague concept like phonics, is to ask ourselves, “How many ways can we use our 5 senses, our body, and our voice to learn a new concept? We can draw, color, act, make and build things, play with puppets, sing, dance, imagine and share our thoughts. How can we immerse our whole self into the new concept, so they really understand it and use it in all their other learning?”
When their whole self is immersed in learning a concept, all parts of their brain are immersed as well, and therefore all parts of their brain will be active. For dyslexics, who have parts of their brains that are not easily activated to learn, this immersive engagement does the trick.
Immersing your child in every vague phonics concept to successfully learn to read, write and spell is why every single concept and every activity within every single concept in Phonetic Reading with Silent Elephant “e”™ immerses their whole brain, their whole self in the learning.
They taste, listen, draw, color, explain, restate, clarify, connect, feel, share, smell and question every moment of their learning of a concept. In this total immersion they quickly and easily learn the new concept, connect it with the old, and understand how it connects to new learning that is on the way.
They’re happy. They have fun. Their whole self is immersed in their learning. They are eager for more.
Here's some examples of being immersed in learning how their brain works. 😊 Enjoy!
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