Chasing Ideal Education
Having identified their child’s learning challenge, many parents ask us, what school would you recommend? Unless you are able to travel to India, currently we do not know of any designated school using Davis methods extensively. Listen to our podcast interview with Priti Venkatesan from Omega Schools in Inida.
Many teachers have been trained in Davis Learning Strategies for K-3 classroom teachers but they often find it challenging to continue as they are the only teacher in their school living these methods. Even when they are successful, a Principal might decide to discontinue their use.
We feel the best we can offer is a list of highly recommended practices which you can take to your school and ask if they do any of these. Sharon Roberts researched several schools and school systems around the world and we chose the practices that really appealed to us.
In our opinion, dyslexics like and will benefit from:
• Hands-on Learning… true knowledge is experiential
• Learning with a purpose … there has to be a point that they are aware of
• No repetition … that is how sound-thinkers learn… we rely on mastery
• 3D manipulatives… preferably self-made
• Building/Crafting
• Movement, sports, dance, music, plays, comedy – essential !
• An outdoor element each day if possible
• Camping trips
• Life skills, fire making, tyre changing, banking
• Animals, environment, empathy
• Helping the young and the old
• Creating their own textbooks (Waldorf style)
• Real life problem solving tasks
• Meeting local experts in the community
• Learning about healthy food, growing, buying, cooking
• Gardening, regenerative farming
• Health, allopathic and alternative/integrative, toxins
• Small classes, one-on-one assistance
• Questions encouraged, mistakes to learn
• Very little screen time!
• Encouragement to question the information they hear/see.
Tips to Build a Healthy School Environment and Questions to Ask:
Honour and respect the learning style of each student and their personality.
Always tell the truth rather than praise for the sake of praise. This ensures their trust.
Believe in them, and make sure they know you believe in them.
Offer the opportunity for:
Time in nature, with plants, animals
Time in groups, peers, seniors, younger children
Time alone
to build:
Interpersonal, communication skills
Problem solving alone and in groups, leadership skills
Respect for differences, patience and tolerance, empathy
Encourage students to have an active role in the curriculum, the way lessons are presented, take responsibility where appropriate.
Ensure the parents are up to date with school activities, taking part when they can, promoting team work that spills over into the home.
Develop projects that involve and benefit the local community.
Offer extracurricular activities to ensure that if a student has an aptitude for something creative/athletic/social it is discovered and nurtured.
Ensure the teachers feel valued, not only financially. Are they sufficiently qualified.
Does the school use technology appropriately, too much, too little. Does it absolve the school of responsibility to reach all the students in the way they learn.. or just deal with overload.
Is there activity every day.. exercise, sports, dance, music, crafts?
How long are the lessons? Recommend 45 mins with a 10 min break in between each one.
Are school meals provided, are they healthy, is there an emphasis on healthy eating?
