When I went to school in the 1980s, they still had blackboards. In lessons we were told to copy information down off the board, no talking. Then we would then be given a list of questions to answer, or told to write an essay. I remember staring at the sheet of blank white paper, my head was whirling. I had so may ideas, yet I just could not get them down on paper. When I tried to write something is came out jumbled and made no sense. I would then get in trouble from the teachers for not trying or being lazy, it was hard.

What I needed to do, was to get the ideas out of my head quickly on paper, before writing a big chunk of information. Mind maps are a great way to do this and I did not discover them unfortunately until I had left school. This tool I now use with my little girl who is dyslexic, it is a great way for her to get her ideas on paper. Using just basic words and pictures. We can then talk about her ideas, before answering her homework questions.

The Mooki Cards contain a “Thought Tree" card. Use the card below on your phone or tablet for free!

This card is based on scientific research, "Inventor of Mind Maps, Tony Buzan".

Dyslexic Thinking

• The dyslexic mind struggles to process, organise information. This means a dyslexic child may feel overwhelmed by learning lots of information. Their thoughts may become jumbled, confused and hard for them to express.
• Dyslexic children think better in pictures. Faced with a list of questions or a large chunk of information. They may struggle to take it all in and be able to put this into their own words.
• A mind map allows a dyslexic child to take notes or get their ideas down on paper. Ideas can be wrote down in any order, colours, pictures can be added to help the child express their thoughts.

Learn more about "Mind Mapping".

Thought Tree, Mind Map

Top Tips Dyslexic Mum

• The "Thought Tree" on the card above is a fun way of drawing a mind map, in away that a child will understand. It is easy, the child simply draws the shape of a tree and adds their ideas to each branch.
• Child can use the "Though Tree" in class when taking notes about a topic. When coming up with new ideas for a project or when answering questions. Ideas can be written on the branches, using just a few basic words. Drawings, magazine cuttings or stickers can be added.
• If the child struggles to write large chunks of information, get them instead to use the "Though Tree". Ask them to hold-up the tree and talk about their ideas first. You could record them and help them write down some of things they said.

All the cards are available as part of a "Mooki Cards". Complete with 56 cards and storage wallet. Perfect for using at home or in the classroom. Order your "Mooki Cards" here!