Use it, to improve it.

Neuroplasticity Principle #2:

Over the following weeks, I’m putting together my thoughts about the principles of neuroplasticity, and how these may relate to dyslexic and neurodiverse learners.

So what does principle number two mean – use it and improve it, and how would this relate to teaching literacy to a Dyslexic learner? Simply put, use and improve it, means “Training that drives a specific brain function can lead to improving abilities.” (cfimove.org). We know that brains have the ability to adapt, and when we learn something new our brains have the ability to create new connections. When we apply this with structured literacy learning, (think systematic, sequential, and cumulative) the brain will begin to change in response to that learning. The brain will grow new brain cells, and begin to form new neural pathways to connect the brain cells with that learning. Simply put, “the person becomes better at doing the task that is trained”. (cfimove.org)

The more learners then follow up and practice with these new literacy skills learned, the more efficient they will get – for example, the more exposure a learner has to words with an er, ir, or ur spelling pattern, the more efficient they will become at spelling and reading words containing these patterns. Dyslexic and neurodiverse learners generally need to revisit and practice a new literacy skill many, many times, and if they ‘use it’, then (hopefully!) each time the learner will become better at doing that task, and eventually reach a level of automaticity with that skill.

An article I found helpful when researching neuroplasticity was https://positivepsychology.com/neuroplasticity/