Heather Down will share the science and evidence behind the literacy card-games YEET and Marīkī that she developed in English and Maori, for students who need additional fun ways to support them in learning to read, write and spell.
Repetition is a crucial element in building neural pathways for learning, and what better way to do this, than with a fun literacy game that changes things up, while at the same time creating an element of thrill!
Heather will demonstrate how to use Yeet and Marīkī to improve literacy and speech outcomes for students.
Heather has lived experience, with a child who was diagnosed with Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia. In navigating support for her child, she found there was a lack of understanding and support for neurodiverse learners.
Her passion for structured literacy emerged from a desire to support her son, as well as families like hers, who did not know where to begin, or who to turn to when, needing help with how to learn to read, write and spell.
In 2019 Heather completed a year-long SPELD program, gaining a Certificate in Teaching Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities. In 2024 she became IMSLE Certified. She now works independently, providing evidence-based learning support.
YEET developed from wanting to share a literacy game played during tutoring sessions, that appealed to students who needed additional fun ways to support their journey with learning to read, write and spell.
There are now 14 versions of YEET; CV VC, CVC words, blends, digraphs, silent e words, soft ce and ge words, words containing the r-controlled vowels er, ir, and ur, words containing a longer spelling rule (floss, ck, tch, dge), Multisyllable, Ar/Or, Gentle Cindy, Consonant Le, Diphthongs and Vowel Teams.
Marīkī was born from a passion for making structured literacy accessible in both English and Te Reo Māori. Heather attended a conference where Mahina Selby-Law from Mahi by Mahi spoke about the challenges of finding structured literacy games in Te Reo Māori. Heather saw an opportunity to make a difference. Together with her friend Tiana from Pānui Me Te Tuhi, a dedicated structured literacy educator in both languages, they set out to create something new
You can find Heather at her website here where you can check out YEET and Marīkī and read her blog.
Heather also has a literacy-focused podcast, that I will be featured on soon, so please follow and look out for our episode!