Saturday, November 12, 2016

Build working memory help child read

Recent research into how the brain works shows us that being well prepared gives kids a huge advantage because of the way our eyes and memory systems work together.

Everyone's brain is set up with two supporting memory systems:

1) long term storage memory
2) and short term working memory

Long term storage memory is unlimited, like a huge bank. But, short term working memory is extremely limited. It operates in tiny bits of each second. Brain time is lightning fast compared from human time.

Short term working memory is the captain of all action, all thinking. But, short term working memory cannot make a move without information sent to it from long term storage memory.

Think of storage memory as the contacts in your cell phone. You push a button - instant success. But, if info is incorrectly or partially stored in your contacts - no success. 

When your child is looking at words in a line of print - the eye system (saccades) looks a few letters or a word ahead, unbeknowst to the child.The eyes send a lightning fast message to long term storage -- send up letter b or send up the word can

The crux: if your child's long term storage has well -practiced what the eyes have asked for - letter (b) or word (can) instantly pops into place and the short term memory successfully hums along.

But, if letter (b) or the word (can) is weakly practiced, long term memory cannot find it, short-term memory slows and fails. The child is at a halt, he does not have enough skills yet to help himself out of this mess.   But, the rest of the child's class moves along successfully; very distressing for the child. A cascade of misery is coming - and so easily avoided - since we adults know what lessons the child needs to know: 

Got to be instant with the correct shape of b / d  and p / q / g within words when starting to read words on the page in early 1st Grade.      Every child knows the name and sound of b / d and p / q / g but gets confused when they see these letters within words. This child will quickly fall far behind. It is important to step in and help your child be in charge of b / d and p / q / g when he sees them inside words.
Use my blog's search box - top left corner - put in backward b.

If your child is beyond 1st Grade put into my search box - top left corner - fix reading problem.   On that page, find  2nd Grade - middle school.  

You may want one of my books. I use ebay as my website. Search: Instant Reading Help all my books will pop up for you. All are brand new and include my contact info: email or call for help. Thank you,  Mary Maisner