While home schooling a dyslexic child has no shortage of challenges, your task of teaching your dyslexic child at home can become easier and more rewarding with the right tools.

Sure, you’ll still have your share of setbacks, but it’s so rewarding when you finally see those little breakthroughs suddenly develop into major a progression in your child’s comprehension.

First of all, just what is Dyslexia? According to Answers.com, Dyslexia is a learning disability characterized by problems in reading, spelling, writing, speaking, or listening. In many cases, dyslexia appears to be inherited.

Dyslexic children seem to have trouble learning early reading skills, problems hearing individual sounds in words, analyzing whole words in parts, and blending sounds into words. Letters such as “d” and “b” may be confused.

Often, a person with dyslexia has a problem translating language into thought (such as in listening or reading), or translating thought into language (such as in writing or speaking).

If you are just starting to teach your dyslexic child, you must remember one thing. Your child is not retarded. His brain is just wired a little differently. Many famous people like Edison, Einstein and Churchill were all dyslexics. It is not a death sentence. People with dyslexia can live rewarding, productive lives.

Being dyslexic does mean that your child will have to work harder than his peers to learn basic language skills. You may have noticed problems with his speech at a young age. This is typical.

Also many dyslexics often have trouble concentrating, especially when they have no interest in the subject. They tend to learn better with hands-on (kinesthetic) methods. Games that teach language skills are quite helpful.

Within academic circles there is much discussion about what is the best way to teach a dyslexic. Some say to use phonics while others promote the whole language method. I’m going to tell you to do both. Hit it from all angles. Find out what works best with your child. Every child is different.

There are many programs that may be beneficial. These include Sequential Spelling, Spell to Read and Write, or All About Spelling. Sequential Spelling teaches spelling patterns and builds on those patterns.

Spell to Write and Read teaches all the phonograms first, then combining phonograms (letters or groups of letters associated with a sound) to build words. All About Spelling also begins with the phonograms and then moves on to syllables then words. All of these programs are reasonably priced.

Barten, Wilson and ABC Reading are also good and are all based on the Orten-Gillingham approach. This method is language-based, multisensory, sequential, systematic and has produced good results.

The Orten-Gillingham method starts by having the student read and write the basic letter sounds. The student learns short vowel sounds and consonant sounds. Simple words are learned first.

Once the easy C-A-T type words are learned, then they move on to long vowels, diphthongs (vowels that make two gliding speech sounds which are usually interpreted as one, ex. Oi,oy), digraphs ( two vowels that make one sound ) and blends. Spelling is learned right along with reading. Review is continuous.

After the student has mastered words, then the same type of systematic approach is used for learning vocabulary, sentence structure, reading comprehension, and composition. Again, review is continuous.

While all of the above mentioned programs are good, it may be you are looking for a less expensive way of helping your child. It is not that difficult but you must be willing to devote a lot of time to your child.

First you get a listing of the basic phonemes of the English language (in Noah Webster’s Reading/Spelling Handbook, for example). Phonemes are basic units of sound (ex. B,t,ph,th,s,a,i) that are capable of conveying a distinction in meaning.

You will also need some cards or tiles with letters on them. Using the handbook as your guide, teach your child the long and short vowels, consonants, blends, diphthongs and digraphs.

Start with the short vowel words. Play games with the letters. For example, make the word “tap”. Have your child read and spell the word. Then tell him to reverse the letters and ask him what word he has made. “Pat”. Have him make different words by changing a vowel or consonant.

Once he has mastered the short vowel words move on to the long vowel words. This kind of exercise will help your child understand the patterns in the English language.

Not all dyslexic children are the same. Some are effected by this problem only mildly, some moderately and some severely. The severity of your child’s problem, his age and past educational history all factor in when deciding how to help your child.

So don’t let those bumps in the road discourage you. It’s kind of a cliche’, but two steps forward, one step back is still progress. With all the helps that are available nowadays, your task of teaching your dyslexic child at home has become less daunting and more rewarding.

By: L Lee

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There are many different reasons for parents to choose homeschooling over other options. Homeshooling enhances the nurturing environment of the home and empowers the parents to create a curriculum most suited to their child. The child is able to learn in a safer environment, free of peer pressure and negative social elements.

Parents and adults that homeschool have made a time commitment to working with their children, and the great majority feel that modern weight of external demands on the family work to destroy a family’s unity and closeness.

In addition to the curriculum itself, family outings, projects, and work around the house also fit into the homeschool regimen. Some homeschool environments are void of a formal curriculum, and instead rely upon life experiences and vocational opportunities to provide an education.The amount of structure that a parent wants in the homeschool environment will be determined by how much flexibility is desired in the learning schedule, as well as the student’s level of development and interest.

Additionally, the curriculum can be built to suit the child’s preferred learning method or style. While some children learn material best by hearing it, others absorb more when reading the lesson. Other students are not in their element unless they can be hands-on with the subject. Only homeschooling provides an environment that is best suited to the learning style of the individual student.

Success in homeschooling does not require large amounts of money or post-secondary degrees. Research indicates that parents with a high school diploma are usually as successful in homeschooling their children as those with college education.

Homeschooling empowers the parent to act on their unique knowledge of their own children’s educational needs and desires. It also allows an optimum investment of time in subjects that require more effort to reach proficiency. Homeschooling is the best choice for students to not only learn, but to grow with consistent support and understanding.

By: Chris Huddle

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Homeschooling statistics show the obvious advantages of homeschooling. In fact, any form of home schooling, whether it is Christian homeschooling or even homeschooling online with homeschooling software, research shows that all homeschooling programs will benefit children greatly. Read further and see just how much homeschooling will help a child.

The Homeschooling Advantage

Statistics show that a student who is partaking in homeschool will outperform any public school student on standardized tests. The reason is because a homeschooling curriculum places a heavier emphasis on ensuring that a child is actually learning that which is being taught to them. The reasons for this phenomenon are as follows:

* Parents design the curriculum, ensuring that children are taught relevant, interesting information.

* Children are given more attention because of the smaller class size, allowing for more one on one time.

* Children have less distractions resulting from social pressure from other students.

* Children have greater respect for their parents than any one else, meaning that children will cooperate more with parents than public school instructors.

* Parents will be allowed more time to bond with their children in a very positive way.

The Homeschooling Disadvantage

The disadvantage to homeschooling a child is that they are being removed from the social context placed upon them in public schools. Because of this, they will not have the same opportunity that other children have to develop social skills and relationships. However, as strong as these disadvantages are, homeschooled children have a greater potential for learning crucial information, as taught directly by their parents.

Homeschooling Resource

Many resources are available for parents who are interested in homeschooling their children. These resources come in two forms, guides and homeschool counseling. Guides can be found all over the internet and, with a little research, you will surely be able to find a guide that will aid you in creating the homeschooling curriculum that you feel is right for your child.

Homeschool counseling is a service by which parents get advice on how to operate a homeschool. These counselors will give parents all the information they need to ensure that the curriculum they create is on par with standards set by school boards and state legislatures. Either route is beneficial, meaning that you simply need to decide which is right for you.

Before deciding to take the plunge into the world of homeschooling, you must keep in mind that homeschooling is not right for everyone. Make sure that you can afford to take the time your child will need to get the most out of this education practice.

You will also want to make sure your child is open to this idea, as not all children will be as optimistic about the importance of education as parents will be. If you decide that homeschooling is right for your family, do not fret about whether or not your child will be falling behind other children, as statistics are available to show the obvious benefits of this type of education.

By: Mike Jerry

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Parents always want to provide their children with the best quality of education. Because of their many benefits, homeschooling and online school have been trending.

The online school was created to provide students the support of a traditional, residential, school while enrolled in a technology-based home-school academic program. This dynamic educational experience combines the resources of a traditional academy with the proven elementary and secondary multimedia curriculum structure provided by an online high school.

These online high schools offer online, distance learning to students all over the world. Student work is then transmitted over the Internet for the academy to grade and record. All a student needs is access to a computer with an internet connection!

Online schools provide a flexible, yet structured program, customized to meet the needs of each student. Online schools allow students the ability to attend classes, work on projects, and submit their work at any convenient time. Meaning the students may be logged into the classroom or working at the time that suits them and fits best into their schedule.

Along with the flexible hours, the certified teachers, counselors, and support staff of these online high schools are always available to help their clients succeed in providing a quality education for each student. They give the students a schedule that outlines what needs to be done along with deadlines for each assignment. This allows the online student to be prepared ahead of time and if need be, even complete assignments early. Also, Course material is accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In an online high school environment, there is increased student interaction and the diversity of opinion, because everyone gets a say, not just the most talkative. Participating online is much less intimidating than “in the classroom.” Anonymity provides students a level playing field undisturbed by bias caused by seating arrangement, gender, race and age. Students can also think longer about what they want to say and add their comments when ready. In a traditional class room, the conversation could have gone way past the point where the student wants to comment.

The unique thing about an online high school is that online learning enables student-centered teaching approaches. Every student has their own way of learning that works best for them. Some learn visually others do better when they “learn by doing.”

These are just some of the benefits of online schools. Many have subscribed to it, many have not. Now, it’s up to you to decide.

By: Mitch Stenson

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