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Fish Don’t Climb Trees Podcast

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COME TO THE DYSLEXIC TABLE

LIVE CHAT

July 1st, 2025

4:30PM Pacific

Topic: Chasing Ideal Education: Series 7 - Episode 6 - Exploring Montessori Education

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CHASING IDEAL EDUCATION:

Series 7-Episode 6:Exploring Montessori Education

Montessori

In the early 1900’s, a woman discovered children learned best when they were allowed to explore and foster their natural curiosity. This observation birthed the Montessori Method, aptly named after its creator Dr. Maria Montessori. This method was revolutionary as up until that time children learned by rote - a memorization technique based on repetition and drill until it can be recalled verbatim.

The overall goal and philosophy of the Montessori system is to develop the whole child on four levels- intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically. The end goal is to see children become confident, self motivated and responsible. The schools do this in several ways. Ultimately there is respect for the child and they are treated as capable, unique individuals. Their teachers (called guides) respect their interests, choices and pace of learning.

Children are naturally driven to learn and with the right environment and tools, they can educate themselves through meaningful activity. This is done by acknowledging their development and providing space designed to promote independence, engagement and some freedom thereby encouraging exploration and self directed learning. Materials are child-sized, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing. Children are free to choose their work and are encouraged to do things for themselves.

The teacher observes more than directs and introduces materials and lessons when the child is ready, Then the teacher/guide steps back to allow exploration. Often children like to know what others are doing, so Montessori capitalizes on that by grouping children of different ages together in the same learning environments. This is to foster peer-to-peer learning. This arrangement can naturally lead to growth that might not occur in a more uniformly-aged classroom.

The Montessori Method can be effective for some children with dyslexia, as it emphasizes multi-sensory learning, tactile activities, and individualized instruction—all of which can support children with reading difficulties. The hands-on approach helps engage multiple senses, which is beneficial for children with dyslexia who may struggle with traditional phonics or visual-only methods.

However, its effectiveness varies depending on the child's specific needs and the implementation of the Montessori approach.

Some educators incorporate additional structured literacy interventions alongside Montessori techniques to better support children with dyslexia.
Reading programs often integrate phonics, sound-symbol associations, and decoding strategies in a multi-sensory way.
Students are taught strategies for self-correction and problem-solving, fostering independence in managing their learning challenges.
The approach emphasizes student strengths and fosters confidence, reducing frustration and promoting a positive attitude toward learning.

There are many good things about this method. It denounces the one size fits all form of public education prevalent today and honours where and what stage the child is at. There seems to be a sense of community among the students where often older ones help the younger. The teacher’s role of guidance and observation helps to ensure students are introduced to new material when ready.

Sharon Roberts: https://dyslexia.ca/about/

Fish Don’t Climb Trees Podcast

The Gift of Dyslexia Series 1:

1.1 Sue & Tristan introduce the Gift of Dyslexia from many perspectives

1.2 Greg Moore; former mayor of Port Coquitlam, now president and CEO of BC Lottery Corporation

1.3 Tristan Macdonald; his journey of discovery

1.4 Sara Kramer; studied the connection between perceptual talent and dyslexia for her masters degree.

1.5 Manda Aufochs Gillespie; mother, journalist, author, researcher, educator, broadcaster and activist.

1.6 Alyssa; her journey of discovery and how she uses colour to navigate her world.

1.7 Tessa Halliwell; Davis Method Facilitator in the UK who has developed an app for trigger words.

1.8 Henry; shares his journey through his schooling both public and private

1.9 Julie Brewer; mother, shares her Davis journey and then applies the method in her Montessori pre-school class

1.10 Sue Hall reads a chapter from Fish Don’t Climb Trees and shares the solution.

Davis Learning Strategies Series 2:

2.1 Introduction; Sue Hall and Tristan Macdonald introduce this series focussing on how the challenges can be avoided.

2.2 Donna Doerksen; A teacher’s story of discovery and advocate for providing Davis Learning Strategies in schools.

2.3 Maggie Robertson; A teacher’s story of success using Davis Learning Strategies in her New Zealand school.

2.4 Richard Whitehead; A teacher, Davis Method Facilitator, Director of Davis UK & Ireland, presenter and author shares his extensive knowledge using Davis Learning Strategies in schools.

2.5 Abigail Marshall; A retired lawyer, mother of a dyslexic and webmaster for Davis International shares some of the research she has gathered over the years.

2.6 Chelsea Flett; shares her experiences using Davis Learning Strategies in her school pre COVID during online schooling and after.

Successful Dyslexics Series 3

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Ed Roman; International award winning musician takes us on his journey of discovery.

3.3 Alison Edgar MBE; An entrepreneur from the UK she shares her story full of hard work and determination.

3.4 Julie Salisbury; A dyslexic author and founder of Influence Publishing shares her story.

3.5 Don McLeod; Don wrote this song for our Society in 2008.

People of Passion Series 4 - TEDx Speakers

4.1 Sue Hall; Sue Hall shares her journey of bringing her story alive on the TEDx stage

4.2 Noel Bentley; shares some of his fascinating skills and insights as a skilled communicator and coach.

4.3 Dr. Olav Krigolson; shares his experience with neuroscience, brain function and technology.

4.4 Orville Lee; shares his passion working with youth at the Pathfinder Youth Society.

4.5 Isabelle; An entrepreneur she shares her story of using her gift of dyslexia to make life better for herself and her clients.

4.6 Sandy Gerber; champions the power of emotional appeal through language and how labels can create pitfalls throughout our life.

4.7 Dai Manuel; a health and lifestyle mentor he shares his inspiring story with us.

4.8 Tania Ehman; a TEDx speaker coach she is skilled at bringing out the the voice within.

4.9 Lizzie Allan; shares her unique brand of humour born from her experiences with mental health issues and addiction.

4.10 Gracie Sinats; a young activist she shares her very clear vision of the changes that need to happen.

4.11 Wendy Leroux; sheds light on the Toastmasters education program which changed her life.

4.12 Carly Phillips; shares her story as a Researcher-in-residence at University of Victoria and her approach to Climate Change.

4.13 Brandon Tang; shares his passion for helping people as a clinician, researcher and medical educator.

4.14 Alan Warburton; Leader and Licensee of TEDx Bear Creek Park he shares his experiences creating teams and cultivating their own magic.

Fish Don’t Climb Series 5

5.1 Dyslexia: Enable the Learning Difference, Sue Blyth Hall; Sue’s TEDx Bear Creek Park highlights everyone is learning-able and how we can make change.

5.2 The Quiet Warrior, Tom Dutta & Sue Blyth Hall; Tom and Sue discuss Sue’s story and what inspired her to write a book and establish a Canadian registered charity.

Come to The Dyslexic Table Series 6

6.1 Time blindness; We discuss the challenges dyslexics have with the concept of time

6.2 The Invisible Dyslexic; We discuss what it is like being an invisible dyslexic

6.3 Cursive Writing; We discuss the topic of cursive writing and keyboarding - the benefits and challenges for the dyslexic individual

6.4 Resilience - What’s change got to do with it?; We discuss resiliency and change and the impact on dyslexic individuals. With the right skills they can turn the struggle around

6.5 Board Games; We introduce 30 of our favourite games improving verbal skills, reducing stress, increasing organization and problem solving

6.6 Procrastination; We discuss the 6 different types of procrastination and methods to manage it

6.7 Why Davis programs are different; We discuss Ron Davis’s hugely successful Davis Methods for Dyslexia, ADHD, & Autism

6.8 Davis Learning Strategies Success in India; Our guest Priti Venkatesan shares her successes using Davis Learning Strategies at her school in Chenai, India

6.9 Summer Challenges; we share fun family activities for summer break

6.10 ADD & ADHD; What do these 2 have in common and how they may be unique

6.11 Manda Gillespie; Manda shares her daughter’s journey with dyslexia