Reading is a tall order

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*可以開啟Youtube上中文或英文字幕

Parenting is an adventure, a journey of guiding our children through education's complex maze. As a Tokyo native who has also embraced the vibrant life of Hong Kong for six years, I've experienced the challenges and joys of nurturing children in dynamic, competitive environments.

I’m the proud mother of three fantastic boys, ages 13 to 19. Our family's educational odyssey has been a rollercoaster of experiences, influenced significantly by my eldest, Joey. Joey, a bright and creative soul, is autistic, dyslexic, and has a language processing disorder. He often found himself at odds with the fast-paced educational settings of Tokyo and Hong Kong. Our relentless search for the perfect fit led us through a diverse array of educational landscapes—from the holistic approaches of Waldorf and Montessori to the varied environments of international, private, public, and alternative schools, and eventually to homeschooling in three different cities.

Throughout this journey, one truth became crystal clear: as parents, we may not be giving ourselves enough credit that we are incredibly attuned to our children's unique learning needs. This insight is invaluable, guiding us to work alongside educators in tailoring teaching methods that resonate best with our children’s individual learning styles. 

I love reading and grew up being told books make you smart.

In our quest, the skill of reading, which many of us often take for granted, emerged as a complex, multifaceted process. Inspired by Frank Smith's enlightening "Reading Without Nonsense," I came to understand reading as more than just stringing letters together. It's a dance between the eyes, the brain and the heart.

1. Visual Recognition: Identifying symbols (letters, words).

2. Decoding: Interpreting these symbols into sounds and words.

3. Word Recognition: Instant recognition of familiar words.

4. Meaning Retrieval: Understanding the meanings of words.

5. Grammar Understanding: Comprehending sentence structure.

6. Meaning Comprehension: Grasping the overall message.

7. Contextual Integration: Relating the text to previous knowledge and context.

8. Logical Guessing: Making educated guesses to fill gaps.

9. Critical Analysis: Evaluating and interpreting the text.

10. Visualization: Creating mental images of the content.

11. Emotional Response: Reacting emotionally to what is read.

12. Memory Processing: Storing and recalling information. 

This new perspective allowed me to better support Joey, adapting methods like visual aids and digital platforms that played to his strengths.

Andy, my middle son, shows a different learning pattern. He thrives in a learning environment that combines visual and auditory stimuli, absorbing information effectively when he can both see and hear it, though he requires additional time to fully integrate new concepts. Toby, the youngest, brings another unique aspect to our family’s learning tapestry. Quick to grasp new ideas, Toby's reading interests are mainly finance and cars, driven by his passions and curiosity.

This diversity in learning styles underscores the importance of recognizing and adapting to each child's needs, particularly in environments with new linguistic and cultural nuances. It's not just about pushing them to read more or study harder but about understanding and nurturing their innate learning preferences.

For fellow parents on this shared journey, this means taking the time to observe and understand your child's unique interests and strengths. These observations are key to identifying their learning styles. Collaborating with educators to integrate these styles into the learning process can significantly enhance their educational experience.

Reflecting on your own and your spouse's learning styles is also insightful. Are you a visual learner, do you prefer auditory input, or maybe you’re kinesthetic? This self-awareness can deepen your empathy and improve your interactions with your child.

Education is not a one-size-fits-all domain. Every child is a distinct individual, and customizing their educational experience to match their needs and abilities can make learning not just more effective but also more enjoyable and fulfilling.

In classrooms with diverse learners, teachers face challenges in customizing teaching methods. Parents can be partners, suggesting alternatives that cater to our child's learning style and meet educational objectives.

Practical options include typed assignments for those challenged by handwriting, digital tools for students less engaged by traditional books, hands-on projects for tactile learners, and audiobooks or visual content for those finding standard reading difficult.

Adjusting the learning pace or style to your child's needs and supplementing with resources for better understanding can be effective. As the best advocates for our children, working alongside teachers, we create an educational environment that truly respects and honours each child's individual way of learning.

In conclusion, our role as parents extends beyond mere advocacy for our children's education. It's about understanding, supporting, and nurturing their unique learning paths. This journey transcends mere academic achievement; it's about empowering our children to flourish in every aspect of life, blending their distinct talents with their educational experiences. Let's embrace this adventure with open hearts and minds, celebrating each unique step in our children's learning journey.

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