[senco-forum]How many rules? Naturals /sponges

I'm with you although I call them 'sponges' rather than 'naturals'. I have
seen an autistic child with hyperlexia - an incredible sponge talent in
overdrive - acquiring spelling and reading with zero understanding of
meaning. It was like watching a computer run a programme.

It is only with having children without the sponge talent that I realised
that not only do they exist, but I am likely one of them.  Like your
daughter 2 of mine manage literacy acquisition with a mixture of natural
high IQ ability and their own sheer determination. Not sure if the 2nd
factor is genetic, taught 'resiliency' and a result of their own self-
belief.

Sharon

-----Original Message-----
From: senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk
[mailto:senco-forum-bounces at lists.becta.org.uk]On Behalf Of Biff Crabbe
Sent: 04 September 2007 23:25
To: Maggie Downie; Philip MacMillan; Amanda; Phil;
senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk
Subject: Re: [senco-forum] Re: How many rules?

'So what is the most efficient way to grasp literacy?'

Naturally.

You're quite wrong about it being impossible to learn to read and write
without being taught how they work.  Naturals are taught only the very
basics (and some can self-teach without any direct instruction) - and then
off they go.  They make their own generalisations about how letter
combinations might work, without being told.....

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