Welcome to SPELD NZ's online Kōwae ako-Learning Capsules. We've created these in response to the huge demand from educators and families seeking skills and wisdom to better support those who struggle with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities.

“What a truly exceptional resource.”

Click on each tile for full details on each Kōwae ako-Learning Capsule.  We’ll continue to add more to this knowledge hub so watch this space!

Kōwae ako / Learning Capsules
Phonemic & Phonological Awareness

Phonemic & Phonological Awareness – Updated 2025

Delve deeply into how sounds are learned in the English language and understand their critical place in developing skills for reading and writing. Learn strategies and tools to strengthen your teaching kete.

Phonics

Explore the importance of phonics for reading and writing skill development. Understand how phonics skills are assessed and learn ways to strengthen phonics for writing and spelling.

Mastering the Paragraph to Clarify Thinking

Insights from the charismatic and deeply knowledgeable Dr Nathaniel Swain. Learn simple and effective paragraph structures for all students. Plus how to spot style and structure errors and remedy challenges with planning and revision.

Navigating Neurodiversity at Primary School

Explore how to better understand and support your child’s school journey. Learn key ways to engage with teachers/schools, how to advocate for your child, potential support available, classroom accommodations and ideas to help at home.

Professor Pamela Snow on The Science of Learning in Practice

Executive Function, Cognitive Load, and Supporting Students with Specific Learning Disabilities. Insightful learning bridging research and practice, with a focus on targeted interventions for students in both school and private settings.

Powerful Strategies to Boost Writing Skills

Join Elena Ciobanu as she unpacks this evidence-based approach to developing writing skills across all year levels and subjects.

Top Ten Resources to Help Your Child at Home

How can I help boost my child’s literacy and numeracy at home? Learn ways to help using simple, everyday, household materials.

Navigating Neurodiversity at Secondary School

Expert advice on communicating with teachers and learning support staff, navigating workload and stress, building resilience, making the most of A.I., classroom accommodations, special assessment conditions, changes to NCEA and much more.

Navigating Neurodiversity in Early Childhood

A highly practical, expert-led webinar on the earliest indicators of learning difficulties and simple, effective interventions to support tamariki in preschool and Year 1. This webinar includes children demonstrating recommended activities.

Syntax as the ‘Phonics’ of Writing: It’s as fundamental as that!

Learn from Dr Nathaniel Swain’s infectious energy and deep expertise. Understand common writing errors at the sentence level and how to remedy challenges in writing.

What Do I Do After Phonics? Advanced spelling instruction and morphology

Learn advanced spelling instruction and morphology from the dynamic Dr Nathaniel Swain in this presentation from SPELD NZ’s 2025 conference.

Oral Language Competence and Transition to Literacy

Oral Language Competence and Transition to Literacy – What can we learn from research? A SPELD NZ Lifting Literacy conference presentation by Professor Pamela Snow.

Literacy in First World, English-Speaking Nations

How did we get here and where are we going next? A presentation by Professor Pamela Snow at SPELD NZ’s Conference Lifting Literacy.

The Power of Etymology and Morphology

How knowledge improves spelling. A presentation by Dr Lillian Fawcett at SPELD NZ’s Lifting Literacy conference.

Dyscalculia

New Learning Capsule coming soon

Personal Stories

Find out how SPELD NZ has helped both children and adults overcome their struggles with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities.

Leaning Into My Imagination

John Lazenby’s struggle with literacy was once viewed as a character defect best rectified by regular beatings. Then one teacher changed everything.

Empowering Neurodivergent Employees

CEO Duncan Milne explains how his company adapts the working environment to harness the talents of staff with dyslexia, ADHD and autism.

Finding the Perfect Fit

Many neurodivergent people don’t find their feet until they reach the workplace. Jordan Kanon despised school but he’s now thriving as a product developer.

Reaping Rewards

SPELD NZ support and a lot of hard work have paid dividends for Nathan Moore.