Before we continue with specific writing tips and practice, I want to address the issue of how children learn and how that affects writing instruction. Others have shared a great deal of information regarding different learning styles, so I won’t repeat those details. What I’d like to share is about something called Aphantasia.
People with aphantasia don’t ‘see in pictures’ like most of us do. You know how we often say “see it in your mind’s eye”? Well, people with aphantasia are blind in their mind’s eye. When they close their eyes to picture things, they see very little or nothing at all. The impact on learning is that those with aphantasia need more than reading to absorb information. Since they cannot create their own images, they must be presented with images and experiences frequently so that they could memorize and recall what they’re learning.
Typically, students with aphantasia do not enjoy reading because they can’t visualize the story. They still understand the story, but it takes a little more effort and it’s not enjoyable unless there are photos within the story. For some people with aphantasia, artistic and creative endeavors are impacted because they do not have the benefit of mental images to rely on. One of the greatest challenges with aphantasia is that people who have it don’t often know they do. Some may realize they are different but few ever make the connection until much later on in life. In a primary school class, identifying students with aphantasia would be quite challenging.
Currently, research is limited and the condition is not officially recognized as a disability. This is a relatively new area of study, and the condition was only named in 2015 even though documentation of the phenomena goes back to the 1800s. What teachers must do is simply include a wide range of visual stimuli in their lessons to assist these students. And the good news is that students without aphantasia will benefit as well.
If you want to read more about aphantasia, here are two articles to get you started:
“When the Mind’s Eye Is Blind” https://www.scientificamerican.com/…/when-the-minds…/
“Learning with Aphantasia” https://www.graduateprogram.org/…/learning-with…/
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