As we are approaching Thanksgiving this month, I wanted to share some thoughts from my heart as I am processing all three of my kids having DYSLEXIA.
During THANKSGIVING, we celebrate the blessings of the year and give THANKS to what we are thankful for over the past year. We celebrate friends, family, food, health and positivity in our life. It is always good for the heart and soul to express GRATITUDE and remember all the joys in our lives and in others. As you are reading this, formulate in your mind what you are THANKFUL for this year. For me, it is the GIFT OF CURIOSITY.
THANKSGIVING
President George Washington issued a proclamation naming Thursday November 26, 1789 as a "Day of Public Thanksgiving" which was the first time Thanksgiving was celebrated as a holiday.
A very fascinating fact is that George Washington most likely had dyslexia. He had a very difficult time spelling words and often spelled them the way they sound, which many people with dyslexia do. It is said he had a very hard time learning, but he never gave up and worked hard to overcome his struggles. He dropped out of school early and taught himself through creative ways of learning.
"When you can do the common things of life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world" -George Washington
PERPECTIVE:
Some days can be hard processing the struggles my kids have around learning and how tiresome school is for them. If you have dyslexia, or have a family member with dyslexia, you probably feel the same. My 3rd grader is reading at a first-grade level and his reading gap seems to be getting wider. But he is the most creative and CURIOUS kid on a daily basis. He asks me more questions than I know the answers to and always wants to feed and nourish his mind with learning new skills. He is like a SPONGE of learning and outside of school is engrossing himself in hands on learning.
HOLD LIGHT FOR CURIOSITY
in yourself
in your children
in others
Find the activities that FEED AND NOURISH your soul and especially in your kids' souls that have dyslexia. Allow them to ask ALL the questions. Allow them the space to get dirty, get their hands on experiments and into the world to build, design and fill their souls to foster their curiosity. Celebrate their curiosity. Plant seeds of possibility! Enable your child to create a life journey of discovery and possibilities.
This can be hard and time consuming. But I truly believe in the long run, these opportunities and celebration of their curious minds, will pay off. This is what I am going to keep in my mind and heart, especially on the hard days.
Some examples that come through my mind:
take your child outside for hands on learning
let them learn 3D printing at the library
draw in nature journals
explore museums
engage in art and crafts-let them design with their hands
learn magic tricks
go to a theater production or local play
climb a mountain together
hide your own geocache
explore, explore, explore
CONCLUSION
This THANKSGIVING, I am thankful for the constant questions, the curious spirit and love for learning that my children challenge me with on a daily basis. I am grateful for these moments we have together to explore the world through hands on learning. I am a more curious, adventurous person because of my kids and because of the strengths their dyslexia brings to our family. I hope to plant seeds of possibility today and every day forward. Today I am grateful.
What is your child with dyslexia extra curious about? Please share!
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