If I could give you a written prescription for your child to help reverse dyslexia, it would look something like this:
Patient:
Your Child
Rx:
Exercise 30 minutes
Play 30 minutes
Music 30 minutes
Dosage:
One to two times per day as desired
Refills available:
Daily for life
–Dr. Books
My reversing dyslexia prescription is all about having fun. Many natural therapies for dyslexia include a physical component. When we play, exercise, and make music, we engage every one of our senses. We let our inhibitions down, and much of our shyness goes away. We’re paying attention to having fun and not so much to what others think of us.
We’re receptive to learning, and we’re open to receiving new information. When we fall, we get back up and keep going. This translates to a child who can handle anything life throws at him or her… including reversing dyslexia!
All of this comes from something we should all be doing anyway… enjoying ourselves!
So Doctor’s orders are for you and your child to play, exercise, and enjoy music as often as you can for as long as you can! The following ideas will help you engage your child in having fun while learning to feel alive, grounded, and happy. The result will be a powerful body, strong brain, and healthy self-esteem.
Exercise
Now there’s a word none of us adults wants to hear, much less do for any length of time. But exercise doesn’t have to be the drudgery it was in PE class. In fact, many ways to have fun are actually exercise. And they will help your child develop his brain to run faster and more efficiently.
When you exercise, you turn on the brain and activate the neurons to build more pathways, making you and your child smarter. Yes, all this works for you too! The best way to do this is not by using a computer game. No, you need to get out of the house and engage with nature. Take a walk, play some golf or tennis, just DO something with your children. Make it a habit to exercise together and just have fun! Ask your child to do a certain amount of exercise before he gets to use the computer or watch TV. When exercise becomes a habit, you’ll know you’re helping your child’s brain as well as his body.
Play
When we play, we assimilate new information without reluctance and without filters. We learn as we play because we effortlessly move from step to step and activity to activity. We discover new things, and we use our brains continuously.
One of my favorite descriptions of play is from a 1985 Legos® instruction sheet:
“When children play, they exercise their senses, their intellect, their emotions, and their imagination—keenly and energetically. To play is to explore, to discover, and to experiment. Playing helps children develop ideas and gain experience. It gives them a wealth of knowledge and information about the world in which they live, and about themselves. So to play is also to learn. Play is fun for children. But it’s much more than that—it’s good for them, and it’s necessary. Play gives children the opportunity to develop and use the many talents they were born with.”
Need I say more? Isn’t play the perfect environment in which to learn? And what child doesn’t love to play?
Again, play needs to involve every sense and body part, and it needs to foster creativity and openness. Go outside and play in the grass. Wrestle in the lush, fragrant greenery. In the winter, build a snowman and have a snowball fight. Or stay inside and build a blanket fort. Turn housework into play. Let your children have a pillow fight.
Play hard, and learn well.
Music
Many natural therapies for dyslexia include music. The beat of music helps the brain retain information (think “i before e except after c” and the alphabet song), and clapping, stomping, marching, and playing percussion instruments help reinforce learning as well as satisfy our inborn urges for rhythm.
Sound plays a key role in learning. Not only are vowel sounds carried on the breath, but hearing the sounds of letters also helps your child learn to read. Music soothes agitated children (and adults), and students learn rote information better if they study to music.
To help your child learn to hear letter sounds and retain information, all you need to do is sing with him or her. That’s it. Sing. Your child practices breath control, listening and pronouncing the consonants and vowels, memorization, and so much more that exercises and strengthens the brain.
Your kids aren’t the only ones who can benefit from exercise, play, and music. Do it with them, and enjoy the benefits of a sharper brain, happier moods, and better concentration. For more information, contact us.
