Reading and literacy

Your child will first be shown how to find the relaxed and focused state which is suitable for reading and other studies. Once this has been learned, the child is ready to build the skills that will allow them to overcome their difficulties. They will be taught how to recognize and control the thought process that leads to distorted and confused perceptions of letters, words and numerals.

Dyslexic children have a strong preference to think using visual imagery so the programme works largely by using pictures too.

Using clay, your child will first work with the alphabet, numerals, and punctuation marks to make sure that they have an accurate perception and understanding of these symbols.

Your child will also use the plasticine-clay to model the short abstract words, called trigger words, which are frequently encountered in reading, such as and, the, to, or it. These words cause problems when dyslexic students cannot form a mental picture to go along with them. You may have noticed how your child often stumbles over these little words when reading out loud.

Through Davis® Symbol Mastery, your child will make a three-dimensional clay model of the meaning of these words, together with a model of the letters of the words. This links the visual meaning to the written word which helps retention in long term memory, and improves reading fluency and comprehension.