Learning a Language as a Differential Learner
Parenting a differential learner is well, different. The days of the Three Rs - Reading, Writing, & 'Rithmetic -- are long past, Both of my children struggle with different disabilities and with each, we have made different educational choices.
Learning to Differentially Teach...
For my daughter, we have chosen to home school. That makes me Mommy, teacher, and amateur special needs educational consultant. She has dyslexia and dysgraphia. She is incredibly bright, communicating and comprehending well beyond her years but her reading and writing are about on a 3rd grade level, so I spend hours researching learning opportunities for audio and kinetic learning. I sit cross legged on my bed crafting lesson plans with various source materials, including videos.
...so I can Teach to Learn
With these adjustments and needs, I am always trying to add new tools to my kit. This includes learning a different language. In our case, we were interested in Spanish. We live in Texas, after all.
When I was approached by Whistlefritz Language Videos for Kids, I was excited and eager to try. While it is intended for younger children, it fit the unique multi-level learning strategies for my girl.
I was gifted a Whistlefritz Spanish Video & Lesson Package for the purpose of this review.
All the opinions are min. It is my Universe, after all.
As I mentioned before, we work at different functionalities. Not only do we face disabilities affecting reading & writing, it is difficult to keep my girl engaged. The younger targeting of the Whistlefritz videos actually helps on this front. They are bright and cheerful in nature and available on DVD (what we chose) or directly online.
My differential learner experiences a different language
As an unexpected educator, I cared deeply about the quality of the lesson plans. On their website, Whistlefritz shares its mission, which is directed at home educators.
Our Mission
To support parents, grandparents, home educators, and teachers in teaching Spanish and French to children by creating high-quality French and Spanish language immersion programs that enable children to learn in a fun, educational environment.
This means a lot. Unlike my mother and many other wonderful teachers out there, I did not spend years studying education. So I appreciate Whistlefritz providing quality, professional lesson plans. It allows me to incorporate the videos & studies into our other educational needs.
Whistlefritz has now become a regular part of our learning day. Beyond the videos, the lesson plan book includes flash cards and coloring pages - another win for a kinetic learner.
A big thank you to Whistllefritz for supporting home school educators, in general, and this momma specifically.
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Do you have a special needs or differential learner? Have you tried introducing second language tools? What worked for you?