Davis® Program facilitators use a picture-based, multi-sensory approach

Rather than using Verbal Learner techniques with Non-Verbal Learners, Davis® Program facilitators use a picture-based, multi-sensory approach that allows students (of any age) to create an effective, long-term strategy and tool-kit for their own learning style.

The fundamental philosophy of the Davis Method is that people with a different way of processing are not disabled learners – they simply have a different thinking/learning style. It’s a creative, gifted thinking style that thrives in a hands-on, experiential learning environment.

Dyslexics are primarily “picture-thinkers.” Traditional methods don’t teach from a Non-Verbal, meaning-based perspective.

What happens is with no picture to process, there is a blank and a feeling of confusion. Enough confusion and the mind will spontaneously disorient to try and resolve the confusion. Disorientation is beneficial viewing 3-d objects and images—you get a better understanding seeing things from different perspectives, but it doesn’t work with 2-d letters and words. It only causes more confusion and more frustration. (example: b-d-p-q/was-saw)

The first step in our approach is learning a process of “Orientation” to get accurate perceptions and temporarily “turn off” disorientation.

Being oriented makes you feel focused, and ready for any task.

The next step is to master the letters, words (sight words) and any other language symbols that caused the disorientation to begin with. I teach you a method of mastering symbols, words, and/or concepts in clay, so that learning is permanent—no need for drill or repetition.  

We use a picture-based, multi-sensory approach, understanding that the creative process and the learning process are nearly one and the same. 

Your special mode of thought also allows for the gift of mastery—once you have learned something experientially, you’ve learned it on such a deep level; it’s permanent.