Cognition and Learning - Dyslexia, Dyscalculia
Cognition and learning
Where children and young people learn at a slower pace than others their age, they may:
- have difficulty in understanding parts of the curriculum
- have difficulties with organisation and memory skills
- have a specific difficulty affecting one particular part of their learning such as in literacy or numeracy
The term ‘learning difficulties’ covers a wide range of needs, including moderate learning difficulties (MLD), severe learning difficulties (SLD) and profound and multiple difficulties (PMLD). Specific learning difficulties (SpLD) such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia come under this term.
What is Dyslexia?
"Knowing you have dyslexia is a good thing.
Dyslexia is nothing to be ashamed of. It is part of who you are. Some parents and teachers become worried about 'labelling' their child as having dyslexia - this is wrong! Knowing you have dyslexia is a good thing. Children are always relieved to finally understand why they have been struggling. Dyslexia is a learning difference - yes, school is harder but once you are taught in a different way children will catch up." (Nessy website definition)
For more information, support and advice, Visit nessy.com/en-gb/dyslexia-explained/understanding-dyslexia/how-to-explain-dyslexia. See the link below.
Parents and Carers, here are some more great videos which are worth you watching at home. They will help if your child begins talking about dyslexic characteristics.
https://www.nessy.com/en-us/dyslexia-explained/how-to-help-dyslexia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtFKNPrJhJ4
At home reading ideas:
- Spotify audiobooks to listen to in the car or at home
Reception and KS1 classes there is a great playlist to follow called Nat and Louisa's Story time. They read Julia Donaldson books and other fab stories.
- - Cbeebies Bedtime stories on Youtube are also great for listening to narrators.
Here is just one example of Duchess of Cambridge reading the Owl Who is Afraid of the Dark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqbCptWIH-M
As always, all staff and myself are here to help. So if you have any queries or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Memory Skills
Children and staff have learnt about the importance of developing our working memory. Here is an interesting blog which shares the link between dyslexia and working memory. http://www.defeat-dyslexia.com/2016/04/a-quick-guide-to-dyslexia-and-working-memory/
All children and adults benefit from developing their working memory. Working memory games can be played at home. Here are some ideas:
- Snap
- Matching pairs
- I went the shop and I bought ... - recall of items game.
- Kim's game. Place some items on a tray. Then remove one or two items from the tray and see if the child can spot what is missing.
Useful websites to visit
Websites with resources to use at home
Dyscalculia definition
Dyscalculia is a specific and persistent difficulty in understanding numbers which can lead to a diverse range of difficulties with mathematics. It will be unexpected in relation to age, level of education and experience and occurs across all ages and abilities.
Mathematics difficulties are best thought of as a continuum, not a distinct category, and they have many causal factors. Dyscalculia falls at one end of the spectrum and will be distinguishable from other maths issues due to the severity of difficulties with number sense, including subitising, symbolic and non-symbolic magnitude comparison, and ordering. It can occur singly but often co-occurs with other specific learning difficulties, mathematics anxiety and medical conditions.
BDA/SASC (2019)
(https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/neurodiversity-and-co-occurring-differences/dyscalculia-and-maths-difficulties)