Does Charlotte Mason Work for a Dyslexic Child?

Richele Baburina, mother of a dyslexic learner, joins Sonya to discuss how the Charlotte Mason approach works wonderfully for a student who learns in a unique way.
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Tags: #CharlotteMason #homeschool #dyslexia

[@maddimaher8147]

Thanks for the video. My son us similar but it's math. He has dyscalculia and dyslexia. It's been really really hard. Any advice for math??

[@richelebaburina7501]

So much of Charlotte Mason's early arithmetic lessons are reminiscent of her reading lessons. Symbols for ideas, the use of number cards, everyday items (a wide variety of manipulatives) that made the abstract become tangible, short lessons (even just a few minutes of concentration is a win), and approaching concepts in a variety of ways will help the child with dyscalculia and dyslexia. While dyslexia presents differently, oftentimes a dyslexic child grasps concepts quickly while the retention of math facts is more difficult. This means you might move on to more difficult concepts while continuing work on learning the +, -, x, / tables during the five minutes of mental math.

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Thank you for your reply to this question Richele!

[@shellydenton3078]

This was a great video to watch! I'm coming at it from a different angle. I am dyslexic and am homeschooling my 3 boys. For years I thought I was stupid because I couldn't read. As a kid I remember saying that I hated books. The truth is that I loved books read to me, I just couldn't read fluently enough to be able to enjoy a book. It wasn't until my mid 20s that I challenged myself to improve my reading. (When my first child was born) Homeschooling does have challenges for me, and my boys will correct my reading often because mix up letters and words, but it's an opportunity for me to teach them how to be gentle with someone who struggles. I was scared to give CM method a try when we started homeschooling because it is based off of books and reading. But it has been a beautiful adventure. We utilize audio books as well. I would encourage any parent who is dyslexic not to let that stop you from homeschooling. Another tip I learned in my mid 20s from a friend has dramatically helped my spelling. Instead of seeing words as a chunk of letters, view them as new friends. Get to know who they are related to, what their heritage is and where they came from, and what they do. Seeing words as friends, makes you want to remember their names and how to spell their name. It also make me more inclined to use them. Where before I just saw English as a confusing language with different rules, like a prison. Now words can dance together in my mind and on paper like children around a maypole.

[@TheLearningMom]

What a wonderful perspective on seeing words as friends :) and gives another nuance on the concept of Science of Relations in cases of dyslexic learners 🙂.. Thank you for sharing this as we are currently observing 1 child for possible dyslexia.

[@richelebaburina7501]

Shelly, you have an incredible testimony. My son has had tough times for sure, but he wouldn't change anything. It's what makes him (and you) unique. It's antiquated thought that people should all be the same. My son helps me tremendously with perspective when I'm drawing and a woman with the gift of dyslexia at the conference last year positively excelled at the needlepoint workshop and was busy helping others understand the stitches.

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Thank you so much for sharing your story!

[@a.violet5905]

Thank you so very much for this podcast. I need to be constantly reminded that my children can take their time and learn well instead of trying to keep up with typical learners. This has been a great blessing.

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

You are very welcome!

[@hrachouhi87]

So blessed by this. My eldest daughter has dyslexic tendencies. It has been challenging for me teaching her but hearing Rachel was very encouraging

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

So glad that you found this video encouraging!

[@amber7462]

Thank you for sharing your story. I have a family that I feel I’m often decoding and planning for and sometimes feel discouraged that we don’t do things perfectly. Thank you for the reminder that each family member is on a unique path.

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

You are so welcome!

[@gingersnaps5979]

I would love a show on kids with high functioning autism, adhd or dysgraphia. My son has all three and is very bright but I have to remind myself he has limits. Things he does well with and others he can struggle with like writing and spelling.

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Here is a comment we shared above we wanted to make sure you didn't miss: A CM way of education is vey beneficial to families with children of varying needs. Here is a blog post that explains more on how a CM style of education can be helpful: simplycharlottemason.com/blog/charlotte-mason-homeschooling-with-special-needs-children/ Here is a link to our entire Special Needs archive: simplycharlottemason.com/blog/category/special-needs/ Short lessons are wonderful for children with ADHD and here is another of our blogs that explains how you can tailor your schedule to work with your child's brain to keep things "fresh": simplycharlottemason.com/blog/keeping-your-balance-switch-things-around/

[@user-zf2xx7jj4n]

Great podcast.I have 3 boys&two of them have High-Functioning Autism,among several learning challenges,including dyslexia.All 3 have done well with Charlotte Mason.I agree with all the info&ideas the podcast mentioned.Very helpful,as always.Thanku,Simply CM.👍😍🙏📚📝❤

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Thank you for sharing your experience, so glad you are finding success with Charlotte Mason's methods!

[@elizabethgridley8587]

Thank you both for sharing this. I have a dyslexic son with similar learning challenges and had a similar timeline in his reading/writing development. Spelling continues to vex us, and I have used a few different OG programs over the years, but prepared dictation is what we are using now in high school - fingers crossed, it seems to be helping with applying all the spelling rules he’s learned.

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Thank you for joining us and sharing your experience with your son!

[@howowen4519]

Thank you both for sharing this!

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

So glad you enjoyed this post!

[@maricelinesmoviglia5716]

Thank you very much for these episode...❤

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

You are very welcome!

[@TheLearningMom]

Thank you, Richelle and Sonya. This is truly an encouraging and inspiring discussion.. Find myself teary-eyed (even after 3 years of homeschooling), grateful for how far we have come in our journey, and very hopeful for what still lies ahead. Continuing to trust the process and thankful to have guides like SCM in this journey. God bless your work more 🙏

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@kingdomhealthwellness]

I am so thankful for all you shared, Richelle! Sonya, I’d wanted to ask you about this at the NCHE Conference, but didn’t get to ask.

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

So glad that this video was helpful for you!

[@crazychicken4063]

I really enjoyed this. It was very interesting to listen to someone else's experience. I could relate to a good bit of it especially when she was describing the struggles with math and the math facts. That has been almost exactly our experience with my youngest, our only daughter. She will be 17 by the end of summer. I am rethinking our path for this coming school year. I'm contemplating in getting back to using more of Charlotte Mason's methods. We have tried it in the past but weren't real consistent with using it every year. To be real honest, I've been seriously burnout with needing to be so much involved with her schooling vs her brothers who were able to be more independent. But when i have to be right there to help with reading and math and do the enrichment subjects with her as well, it was overwhelming. I'm not one who handles the constant interaction like that very well day after day. My daughter has not been tested for any learning issues but some have questioned if she has dyslexia but it doesn't show up very strong. But she has mentioned having trouble with words moving around and likes books with larger font. I've also had two teachers think she could have some kind of audio processing disorder. She also tested at 7th-8th grade reading comprehension. She's at a 5th-6th grade level in math.

[@blestmess1]

It sounds like possible ‘urling syndrome’ symptoms. Especially words moving around. You may need specific glasses that are coloured accurately for her and then the words stay put.

[@crazychicken4063]

​@@blestmess1 thanks for mentioning that. Just clarifying, but I did a search using your term and I found it. It's Irlen Syndrome. I had come across that several years ago but when it came to my mind again I couldn't remember what it was called. It's a very good possibility she has it. My oldest son has light sensitivity as well. I never knew there was an actual condition. I wish I would've know back when he was still school age.

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Thank you for taking the time to stop in and view this video! If you are starting back in with Charlotte Mason's methods for high school, you may enjoy this video: simplycharlottemason.com/blog/charlotte-mason-high-school/

[@belle1353]

Thank you.

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

You're welcome!

[@yoanrotinsulu2489]

Hi.. what about ADHD Kids? Thanks

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Hi there! A CM way of education is vey beneficial to families with children of varying needs. Here is a blog post that explains more on how a CM style of education can be helpful: simplycharlottemason.com/blog/charlotte-mason-homeschooling-with-special-needs-children/ Here is a link to our entire Special Needs archive: simplycharlottemason.com/blog/category/special-needs/ Short lessons are wonderful for children with ADHD and here is another of our blogs that explains how you can tailor your schedule to work with your child's brain to keep things "fresh": simplycharlottemason.com/blog/keeping-your-balance-switch-things-around/

[@diannaannette6956]

What about a hyperlexic learner? Where comprehension is a big issue and is the other part to reading

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Hi, Thank you for your question! We have not done a blog post specifically on hyperlexia yet, however you may find these blog posts helpful. simplycharlottemason.com/blog/narration-auditory-speech-issues/ simplycharlottemason.com/blog/charlotte-mason-homeschooling-with-special-needs-children/