Description
In this book Cornelia Jantzen explores the basis of this radical viewpoint. Throughout, she provides many practical examples that explore various aspects of dyslexia, giving parents and teachers greater confidence when dealing with the challenges that dyslexia presents.
Here is a helpful and encouraging book for anyone looking for new insights into the enigma of dyslexia.
From the preface:
There could scarcely be a clearer, more shocking indictment of the effects on a child of traditional verdicts about dyslexics: as people incapable of learning, low in intelligence, and defective. Cornelia Jantzen’s book gives a striking account of how she overcame this common, narrowly prejudiced view of dyslexia. Through daily observations, encounters, and experiences, she involves us in a process that gives greater insight into the special mode of perception and thinking of dyslexic children.
— Felicitas Vogt
C O N T E N T S:
Preface by Felicitas Vogt
A Proper Book Needs an Introduction by Cornelia Jantzen
Foreword to the Second Edition
PART I: How we’ve been maltreated…
The phenomenon of Dyslexia
Solving the Riddle of Dyslexia
Rudolf Steiner—a Dyslexic?
Multi-level Thinking
From Natural Talent to Manufactured Disability
Victory
Taking Stock
PART II: …but let’s focus on the area of real capabilities
The Gift of Dyslexia
Spelling—an Outmoded Relic?
A Glimpse into Brain Physiology Research
Holistic Capacities
Brian-friendly Learning
PART III: …and now for some kind of connecting bridge
Learning Literacy
Engaging with Reading Texts
Thinking about Grammar
Digression: Visible Language
Pictorial Thinking Exercises
Food for Thought
To End With (not an Afterword)
Appendices
1. Samples of Dyslexics’ Writing—a Different View
2. Further Information on the Davis Method
3. Learning Aids
References
Bibliography
People with dyslexia struggle with standard methods of learning to read and write, which are not tailored to their multi-dimensional, visual ways of thinking. However, these same people are often highly imaginative, intuitive and creative.
I especially like that Jantzen explores the methods developed by Ronald Davis, author of The Gift of Dyslexia. His approach enables students to use all their senses in learning written language. Jantzen further analyses Rudolf Steiner’s thoughts on learning— how his own difficulties with reading and writing informed his teaching methods, and ultimately how these have been carried forward into Steiner-Waldorf education.
