Many people with dyslexia find it hard to memorize the order of fairly common information like the days of the week, months of the year and the alphabet. Let’s look at why that is, and how we can help dyslexics overcome this challenge.
Why is remembering sequences so challenging for dyslexics?
Research reveals that dyslexic people have less than average brain activity in one or more areas of the brain. The less activity, the more the flow of information into long-term memory gets disrupted. Dyslexic people can also have a harder time than average with working memory, short-term memory and long-term memory. These factors combine to make it that much harder for a dyslexic to line things up in order and memorize sequences.
To get around these weaknesses, we can engage other parts of the brain to help us memorize things in sequence, like days of the week.
Different parts of the brain help us to process information differently
Our brains have several parts that are each responsible for different aspects of learning and processing information. Generally, the left hemisphere of the brain thrives when processing linear, analytical data and the right brain likes images, music, emotion, color, and other creative expressions. While everyone uses both hemispheres of the brain to learn, many dyslexics do best when they can lean on the strengths of their right brain to understand new things.
Music helps us memorize too
Neuroscientists have discovered that information set to music is among the easiest to remember. Music is a powerful mnemonic (memory aid) device. The structure, rhythm and rhyme of a song help us anchor information in long-term memory. The music acts as a cue to unlock the information and the melodies encourage repetition, aiding memorization.
Learn the order of the days of the week with music
Our daughter Kylee is dyslexic and has been diagnosed with ADHD — but she memorized and mastered the order of the days of the week in just a few days! Now she’s got them down.
She accomplished this task by singing the days of the week along to the theme song of the TV series, The Addams Family! We picked The Addams Family because you can’t help but clap your hands or snap your fingers when you listen to it. And that makes it more fun and even adds a kinesthetic element that contributes one more layer of mnemonic assistance.
Try it with your child!
Here’s a YouTube video of the music to sing along to!
For help with the song lyrics, click one of the links below. Since some countries start the week with Sunday and others with Monday, we provide both versions:
Click Here for song lyrics starting with Sunday.
Click Here for song lyrics starting with Monday.
Have your child sing along several times during the day, inserting the days of the week, in order. She’ll have it down in no time!
For even more effect, point to the days of a calendar as she sings the words. Print the pdf of the Days of the Week graphic.
Remember: Review is always important when it comes to memorizing!
Check out our post: Fun Tips for Teaching your Dyslexic Child the Months of the Year in Order
Bonus…….
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