Category Archives: Environment

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Perspective: A Letter to My Dyslexic Daughter

Looking back…

My dearest K,

You have come to the end of the second grade, and today, we were both surprised that your teacher wants to retain you.

She said:

  • Your handwriting is poor.
  • Your spelling is terrible and you cannot sound out words.
  • You can’t read simple “sight” words and come up with distractions to get away from reading when your turn comes around.
  • You don’t know your times tables.

I say:

  • You see things in a different way from your classmates and that helps you use your imagination in special ways to figure out problems.
  • You find patterns quickly and can arrange things so they fit into any space.
  • You tell stories in such a creative way, using simple things around that, both children and adults are amazed.
  • You won the science fair because you were the only child who could explain your project in detail.

It’s almost time to go back to school. After working with Ms. Lynn this summer, we now know why you have been having trouble with some things at school.

I want you to know that you are not stupid.

You are dyslexic.

Dyslexia is not a disease.

It is not a curse.

It is your superpower.

I will help you be the best that you can be.

Oh the places you will go because of your dyslexic brain!

Love,

Mom

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From Struggling Student to Business Magnate – A Dyslexia Success Story

Today we know him as one of the “Sharks” on the ABC hit television show, “Shark Tank.” Life wasn’t always so rosy for Daymond John, but an insightful mother made a huge difference.

Although he excelled in mathematics and science, he struggled with selling and anything requiring extensive reading and writing. When his parents took him to a professional for evaluation, they were told he had a behavioral issue. Fortunately, his mother did not believe that to be true.

He admitted that his father would often angrily yell at him to stop slacking. Getting tired of the struggle, Daymond signed up for the co-op program at his high school. This program allowed him to work full-time for one week in a business field and attend school full-time the next. He knew that he couldn’t rely on his report card, so he focused on showcasing his strengths in the co-op program.

Today, he’s on a mission to bring awareness to people that there’s nothing to be ashamed of if you are dyslexic. Listen to him and his mother discuss dyslexia as a strength.

He always thought he was a genius, and his drive and determination to channel his insights into entrepreneurial, marketing and branding success, have led him to become an in-demand motivational speaker, and the Ernst & Young’s New York Entrepreneur of the Year as well as Crain’s Business of New York Under Forty Award.

In this video as he continues chatting with his mom, he discusses the beginnings of his business venture.

If you take the time to chat with them, most dyslexics will tell you about their strengths, be it entrepreneurial, artsy, or athletic. They know where their strengths lie.

What entrepreneurial interests have you seen in your child?

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Want to Know More About Visual Processing and Learning?

If you answered, “Yes” to the title question, read ahead about the final visual processing skill we will look at this week.

Visual Spatial Relationships.

My friend was directing me to her home. Every time she needed to tell me where to turn at the end of one street, I noticed that she snapped her fingers on both hands, simultaneously.

“Why do you do that?”

“That’s how I know right from left.”

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How Our Environments Can Impact Upon Learning

This is a guest post from Healthy Life and Safe Living Consultant, Lucinda Curran, who integrates Chinese medicine and Building Biology to provide truly holistic healthcare. Can your home be sabotaging your child’s learning? Read on to find out.

Our modern conveniences and products make our lives easier to manage, but have you ever considered that they might impact on our health?

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Reality…About Children Learning and Mothers/Teachers Teaching

This post is the follow-up to yesterday’s: https://www.florencecallender.com/dreaming-about-children-learning-and-mothersteachers-teaching/

“Life is like a departure lounge. The place you end up depends on which ticket you bought.” ~ Dr. Dion T. Harrigan

Boy looking at math and science icons - Resized Larger

When children are born, they each come with their own “equipment.”

Law enforcement officers turn to their fingerprint files when searching for a criminal. The doors to some high-tech offices are now opened by the eye-print of the person seeking access. Blind people identify the person addressing them by their voice-print. An approaching individual can be recognized by his gait. The identity of a dead person may be ascertained by his dentition.

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Dreaming…About Children Learning and Mothers/Teachers Teaching

“When you have the privilege of changing someone’s brain, you not only change his or her life, you have the opportunity to change generations to come.” ~ Dr. Daniel Amen

“No! You can’t have her. She is mine,” I screamed, and grabbed on to my daughter’s ankles. With super-human strength, I pulled her down into my arms…away from the woman who had snatched her.

With a baleful glance, the evil-looking woman slinked away.

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Learning for Success in School and Life…The Visual-Spatial Way?

Florence is an Optimist, Encourager, Author, Speaker, Consultant & Mom of the most amazing daughter ever. She shares tips, tools, and resources with parents of dyslexic children to stop the struggle. A believer in the unique learning abilities of all children, she is a strong advocate for those who learn differently.

A few years ago, I went to visit my friend during my vacation time. When I walked into her home, I straightened up immediately. Everything was in order.

Color coded bookshelf - Resized

 

You know the stuff your parents tell you as a child like, “A place for everything, and everything in its place?” She followed that principle.

I peeked into her closet. The clothing hangers were all white. And not only were her clothes sorted by category, but also by color.

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4 Listening Tips for Learning Success

In life, of all the language skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing – listening is used more than the other three added together. Children (and adults) can learn a lot through listening. Regrettably, this is not an instinctive skill. Listening must be taught and developed.

Students in math class - resized

Driving home, last week, I noticed some activity on an empty plot of land. There was a tractor digging a deep hole. Nearby, I saw a stack of concrete blocks. A house was going to be built on the property. Preparation was being made. The first step was laying the foundation…a solid foundation.