The Clara James Approach to learning
When it comes to learning we are all individuals.
The past 20+ years have taught me that no matter our learning style if the child is engaged and relaxed they are more likely to learn.
If we just keep giving them the same resources, varied over and over again, all we are doing is giving them one place in their brains to find the information. However, by giving them a variety of resources we can make it more interesting, more relevant, and help them to create multiple memories so that when they need to recall the information, they have more places they can go to in order to find it.
If we can boost their confidence as well as their knowledge we will make their life and ours easier.
For 20 years now I've been fascinated by different learning styles: ASD, Dyslexia, ADHD. The purpose of this podcast is to share my findings with you, so that maybe what I've learned will be of help to you too.
The Clara James Approach to learning
Supporting spellings
Hello. Recently, I've discussed with parents the challenges of learning and retaining spelling skills. My advice is to make the process colourful, creative, and interactive to engage different parts of the brain.
One method is using multiple colours when writing words – a different colour for each letter and varying fonts can help create distinct visual cues. Drawing related images next to words further strengthens memory by adding context.
For active learning, painting with water on outdoor surfaces or using chalk can be effective since it involves larger movements. Using materials that are temporary like chalk or water means mistakes aren't permanent, which can alleviate pressure.
Interactive games also enhance learning: playing Hangman helps children think about letter order; scrambling magnetic letters for them to rearrange teaches word structure; creating coloured-in word searches practices pattern recognition; Battleship-style games with grids encourage strategic thinking while identifying spellings; and 'Lily Pads,' where jumping counters onto words reinforces quick recall.
The goal is fun engagement so kids want to participate. The more they practice in varied ways, the stronger their memories become – leading not just to short-term success but long-lasting spelling retention.
I hope these tips prove helpful! Have an amazing day or week ahead. Looking forward to our next conversation. Take care! Bye.