Welcome to the Revised Format Literacy Foundation for Children News
We have made a few changes to the format of the newsletter starting with this edition. New features include:
- Common Sayings with a Sinister Background
- Important Literacy Word Definitions
- Wise Words for Children with Learning Challenges
You may be thankful to count on that 13th roll in your baker’s dozen, but you can thank a rather sinister rule for its creation.
This edition features one of the parenting stories presented at the AGM last November. We plan to bring you another parenting story in an edition later this year.
We’d appreciate your feedback on our new format and would like to hear if you have any questions or suggestions for future topics to be addressed in an article.
Elise’s Journey – My Top 10 Tips for Raising My Child with Dyslexia
By Judy, proud mum of Elise
(This is a summary in point form of a presentation given at the 2021 AGM)
1. Invest in the right support
- It wasn’t until Elise was 4 that I realized there was a problem with her speech development
- Her younger brother who was 2 was talking – and had a larger vocabulary than Elise
- So we started on a journey of Speech Therapy – expensive and did not help at all
- 3 speech therapists later, and a lot of frustration – nothing changed
- Lots of well-meaning people were happy to take our money – but without understanding the root cause – it added to thousands of wasted dollars
- And then in November of the year Elise was finishing year 3, I attended a parent information evening at Ferny Grove State School – where I listened to a presentation by Jason (a literacy development professional) – and suddenly, all the challenges Elise had been experiencing were clear – she was Dyslexic
- The following year, while Elise was in year 4 – we embarked on the journey with Jason – and Elise learnt to read!
2. Build on your child’s strengths
- It is very easy to focus on what your child is not good at – they have to confront this every day at school
Common Sayings with a Sinister Background
“Baker’s dozen” was a way to make sure the baker was giving you your fair share.
You may be thankful to count on that 13th roll in your baker’s dozen, but you can thank a rather sinister rule for its creation.
It all traces back to a 13th-century British rule called the “Assize of Bread and Ale”. The rule stated that if bakers were caught selling smaller or low-quality bread to customers, they could have their hands chopped off.
That’s why it was just easier to throw a 13th piece into the pile – Thus creating the ‘Baker’s Dozen’.
Professional Development for Teachers
Would your child’s school be interested in holding a seminar about literacy and learning disabilities while at the same time helping the Foundation? To find out more, see our School Seminars brochure.
Important Literacy Word Definitions
‘Orthographic Choice‘ – When Spelling
This can be thought of in at least four ways. (Some simple examples are provided to aid general understanding).
a. An incorrect choice between vowel-consonant /e/ pattern and vowel-vowel pattern when both are phonologically acceptable. E.g.; ‘mate’ or ‘mait’, ‘brain’ or brane, ‘pile’ or pial. This difficulty can include both real and nonsense words and can manifest in both reading and spelling
b. A problem choosing between letter orders: E.g.; ‘rihgt’ or ‘rigth’ or ‘rihtg or even the correct spelling – ‘right’.
c. Correctly spelling homonyms, homophones and homographs relative to their meaning. e.g; maid and made, here and hear.
d. Correctly choosing the spelling for the sound of /k/ at the end of a one syllable word. Example; /ck/ as in ‘lick’, /ke/ as in ‘like’ or /k/ as in ‘look’.
Containers for Change
The Foundation is listed with Containers for Change. You can be a creator of positive change by donating your unwanted bottles and cans to the Literacy Foundation for Children. Use the code C10240836 when you drop off your bottles and cans at your local recycle location.
Wise Words for Children with Learning Challenges
Some call dyslexia a gift, to others it’s a burden. However you see it, a good inspirational quote can do wonders to lift the spirit. Here’s some inspiration …
than any other actor, but I’l be able to tell you everything in it. It kills me that there are standardised tests geared towards just one kind of child.”
– Channing Tatum
Did you know that donations to the Foundation are tax deductible?
Consider making a donation to help a child with a learning disability. As the Foundation is run solely by volunteers the administrative costs are very minimal, so we are glad to say that the vast majority of all donations and funds raised are distributed to the families of children requiring support. Make a donation at GIVENOW.
Quotable Quote
The Foundation helps families by providing financial support to offset some of the costs associated with support services needed to help children with dyslexia learn to read and write.
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