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Davis Method Parent Guide (Clay-Based Learning) | دليل الوالدين لطريقة ديفيس

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Language: English

0) Introduction

This guide is written for parents to learn and teach their children at home. You do not need teaching experience.

This method supports children who:

  • Read slowly
  • Guess words
  • Confuse letters
  • See letters move, blur, reverse, or disappear
  • Struggle with Arabic letter details (especially dots)
  • Struggle with numbers
  • Feel frustrated or avoid learning

1) The Core Philosophy

Dyslexia is not a disability; it is a gift of picture thinking. Confusion occurs when a learner encounters abstract/function words (Trigger Words) that have no clear mental image. This can lead to disorientation, where letters may seem to move, blur, reverse, or disappear.

2) What Is Disorientation?

When disoriented, a child may:

  • See letters move or blur
  • Reverse letters
  • Lose place while reading
  • Guess instead of reading
  • Feel sudden frustration or fatigue

Disorientation is temporary and can be reduced by teaching the child how to regain focus.

3) Before Davis vs After Davis (What Changed?)

BEFORE the Davis Method

  • Heavy focus on repetition, memorization, worksheets, and speed.
  • Dyslexia often treated as a “deficit” the child must overcome.
  • Errors seen as lack of effort or attention.
  • The child adapts to the system (often under pressure).

Common results: frustration, guessing, low confidence, learning that doesn’t last.

AFTER the Davis Method

  • Dyslexia understood as a different thinking style (often picture thinking).
  • Confusion linked to abstract words/symbols and disorientation.
  • Child learns to recognize and control disorientation.
  • Meaning first, calm first, hands-on learning (clay) to fix learning.

Common results: steadier letters, less guessing, more meaning, higher confidence.

What’s NEW and UNIQUE in the Davis Method: Orientation Counseling (focus control) + Trigger Words + Clay modeling to turn abstract words into meaning + mastery over speed.

4) Orientation Counseling (Always First)

Rule: Always orient before reading or clay work.
Sit comfortably. Put your feet on the ground. Take a slow breath. There is no test and no rush. Look at the word. Do the letters move or feel strange? Close your eyes. Imagine a small point of light above your head, slightly behind it. Place your attention on that point. Now open your eyes and look again.

If the child is calmer and letters are steadier → proceed. If tired/frustrated → stop and take a break.

5) The Complete 7-Step Mastery Process (Use Clay for Every Trigger Word)

Important: Apply these steps to every trigger word using modeling clay.
  1. Dictionary (Meaning): Look up the word and discuss its definition until it’s clear.
  2. Clay Letters: Sculpt the letters of the word (e.g., A–N–D) in clay.
  3. The Clay Model: Create a 3D clay scene representing the word’s meaning.
  4. Verification: Point to the scene and say the meaning, then point to the letters and say the word.
  5. Mental Snapshot: Close eyes and visualize the clay letters and the model together.
  6. Pronunciation: Touch the clay letters and say the word aloud.
  7. Sentence: Create a spoken sentence using the word based on the model.

6) High-Trigger Words List

Category English Words Arabic Words (reference)
Prepositions in, on, to, from, by, with, at من، إلى، عن، على، في، بـ، لـ
Conjunctions and, but, or, so, because, if و، أو، ثم، لكن، لأن، إذا
Determiners the, a, this, that, those الـ، هذا، هذه، ذلك، تلك
Pronouns I, you, he, she, it, we, they أنا، أنت، هو، هي، نحن، هم

7) 4-Week Mastery Schedule

  • Week 1: Basic Prepositions (in, on, to)
  • Week 2: Basic Connectors (and, but, or)
  • Week 3: Identifiers (the, this, that)
  • Week 4: Complex Logic (because, although)

8) Vital Tips for Success

  • Mastery over Speed: One word mastered for life is better than ten memorized for a day.
  • Stop at Frustration: If the learner is tired, disorientation will increase. Take frequent breaks.
  • Use Your Hands: The physical act of clay modeling is what fixes the word in the brain.

9) About Dr. Fatima Ali (Early Collaboration)

Dr. Fatima Ali was an educator and researcher who collaborated with Ron Davis during the early development phase of the approach in the early 1980s.

  • Her role was educational and research-based: supporting early program development and structured learning discussions.
  • The Davis Method as a named, published system was later clarified and expanded by Ron Davis.

Important clarification: Dr. Fatima Ali did not “create” the Davis Method, but she contributed to the early developmental stage.

10) How to Use Clay (Parent Rules)

  • The child builds; the parent guides calmly.
  • Do not rush. Do not pressure. Stop when tired.
  • Clay is not decoration. Clay is meaning.
  • Never teach trigger words by memorization only.

11) Arabic Letters with Clay (ب – ت – ث)

Golden rule: One base shape — dots change the letter.
  1. Orient first (child calm).
  2. Build one base body shape.
  3. Add dots using clay balls (never draw dots).
  4. Add a direction arrow (RIGHT → LEFT).
  5. Check: name the letter, count dots, say where dots are.
  6. Mental snapshot (eyes closed 5–10 seconds).
  7. Sound comes last.

Dot rules: ب = one dot below, ت = two dots above, ث = three dots above.

12) Numbers with Clay (Meaning First)

Core rule: Build quantity before naming the symbol.
  1. Orient first.
  2. Quantity: build the amount with clay balls (example: 3 balls).
  3. Count slowly by touching each ball.
  4. Name it: “This amount is THREE.”
  5. Build the symbol “3” using clay.
  6. Match quantity and symbol side by side.
  7. Mental snapshot, then real-life use (“Bring me three blocks”).

13) Professional Disclaimer

This content is educational and supportive. It does not replace medical or clinical diagnosis.

Final Line (For Publishing)

Teach the mind before the symbol. Calm before correction. Meaning before memorization.