Why are some people uncomfortable with Structured Literacy?

I have noticed growing concerns about Structured Literacy, both in New Zealand and internationally. The benefits of Structured Literacy are widely understood: it is a consistent piece of terminology, that refers to a clear list of components, intended to capture the science of reading. It is a significant improvement on previous widespread teaching practice inContinue reading “Why are some people uncomfortable with Structured Literacy?”

Guidance for New Zealand Home Education Applications for Children with Special Needs

(I wrote this document for the home education community in New Zealand as there were a lot of people seeking help for this aspect of their application. First published October 2021, this is a slightly updated version as of August 2022.) Introduction Home education in New Zealand requires permission from the Ministry of Education, sinceContinue reading “Guidance for New Zealand Home Education Applications for Children with Special Needs”

There is no baby in that bathwater: Letting go of “whole language” strategies

One of the most repeated phrase I see alongside arguments that we shouldn’t let go of the old ways of teaching reading, is that we shouldn’t “throw the baby out with the bath water,” as if there is something wonderful amongst those old approaches that we’ll lose if we aren’t careful. There isn’t. You canContinue reading “There is no baby in that bathwater: Letting go of “whole language” strategies”

Issues with the Reading Recovery Evaluation 2019, as Justification for Reading Recovery’s Expansion in New Zealand

(This is an updated version of a piece I wrote earlier this year, about the expansion of Reading Recovery in New Zealand. Updated 28 August 2022.) In New Zealand, while other countries around the world are moving away from or even banning use of Reading Recovery, the Ministry of Education has instead decided to expandContinue reading “Issues with the Reading Recovery Evaluation 2019, as Justification for Reading Recovery’s Expansion in New Zealand“

Is There Really a High Rate of Dyslexia Amongst Entrepreneurs?

I value evidence-based claims and interventions when it comes to dyslexia and literacy; there are literally decades of converging evidence across multiple fields establishing what methods work best to teach people – including dyslexic people – how to read, and it’s those approaches that I advocate for here and elsewhere. In keeping with this, IContinue reading “Is There Really a High Rate of Dyslexia Amongst Entrepreneurs?”

Doing what you’re bad at; when should children give up, when should we give up on them?

One of the strongest tensions I’ve encountered in the disability community, is that between (a) fighting to overcome a child’s weaknesses, and (b) accepting their weaknesses (by avoiding the difficult tasks and working around them). There are extremes within these positions, where some will push the child to keep trying to achieve the difficult task,Continue reading “Doing what you’re bad at; when should children give up, when should we give up on them?”

The Purpose of the Teacher-Parent Relationship

Many times I’ve seen parents seek advice on whether they should request the extra help their child needs in the classroom and whether they should share their own views with the teacher on what their child needs to succeed. It feels like the obvious answer is “yes, of course!”, so what are they worried aboutContinue reading “The Purpose of the Teacher-Parent Relationship”

Grammar Police, Dyslexia, and Social Media

I’m a proofreader (amongst other things), but I will not call someone out in public on their grammar or spelling errors – not because I think these things are unimportant, or because I don’t care about or notice them. If I see a friend make an error and I’m worried it’s going to impact onContinue reading “Grammar Police, Dyslexia, and Social Media”

The Science Community within the Disability Community

Finding out my eldest son had a life-long disability, including that he might never be able to talk in a sentence, wasn’t something I had the fortitude to face. Autism is scary to a new, young mother who has barely got her head around mothering itself. I fell into a very dark hole for aContinue reading “The Science Community within the Disability Community”

The Stupid Dyslexic

Welcome, please take a seat and buckle in securely. No, the seats are not cushioned, this is going to be uncomfortable for most of you. Please remain seated until the end of the journey; we’re not going where you think we are and if you get out early you’ll only be lost. Ready? No? Oops,Continue reading “The Stupid Dyslexic”