Autodidacts

Throughout history, many of the world’s greatest thinkers, innovators, and creators have been autodidacts—driven by curiosity rather than formal education. Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest polymaths, taught himself anatomy, engineering, and art through relentless observation and experimentation. Benjamin Franklin, a founding father and prolific inventor, was largely self-educated, mastering writing, science, and diplomacy through independent study. Mary Anning, the pioneering paleontologist, made ground-breaking fossil discoveries despite having little formal schooling. Michael Faraday, a self-taught scientist, revolutionised our understanding of electromagnetism. Nikola Tesla developed his own methods for visualising and testing electrical systems without structured education. The Wright brothers, who built the first successful airplane, learned aerodynamics through personal research rather than university instruction. Steve Jobs exemplified modern autodidacticism, acquiring expertise in technology and design through self-driven learning. These individuals prove that with curiosity, persistence, and access to the right resources, autodidacts can change the world. We must cherish this trait, and support young autodidacts!

Self-Learning with MyWordz®

Peter Hollins, author of The Science of Self-Learning and a clinical psychologist, describes our current educational system as “top-down” learning—read and regurgitate. He defines self-learning as self-directed growth driven by reflective intellectual curiosity.

In traditional formal education, knowledge is transferred to a willing recipient. However, I argue that an increasing number of children today, for various reasons, are not willing participants in the process of learning to read and spell. Many struggle with the rigid structure of phonics instruction, the one-size-fits-all approach of synthetic phonics programmes, or the expectation that they must passively absorb information without the opportunity to explore and make connections in their own way.

Autodidactic learning, in contrast, is an active process. An autodidact does not simply wait to be taught; they search for knowledge, seize it, access it, integrate it, assimilate it, and put it to good use. For children learning to read and spell, this means actively mapping words, engaging with patterns, and developing orthographic knowledge at their own pace, through discovery rather than prescription.

Technology that facilitates word mapping and self-teaching aligns with this principle because it removes the barriers of traditional instruction and allows children to take charge of their own literacy journey. Instead of waiting to be told how a word works, they can interact with text in a way that reveals the grapho-phonemic structure, enabling independent pattern recognition. This approach fosters engagement, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation, making reading and spelling feel less like a chore and more like an exciting puzzle to solve. Orthographic mapping is easy to achieve.

Most importantly, when children can decode words independently, they gain access to the entire world of written information—not just what is selected for them in structured lessons. This means they can explore topics that genuinely interest them, from dinosaurs to space, from fairy tales to science experiments. Reading shifts from being something they have to do into something they want to do, because it serves a purpose beyond schoolwork—it becomes a tool for exploration, adventure, and self-expression.

By integrating interactive, exploratory, and adaptive learning, such technology empowers children to discover the logic of words on their own terms, without relying on a teacher to provide every answer. This not only fosters confidence and curiosity but also builds the foundation for lifelong literacy skills that extend beyond phonics drills and decoding exercises.

When children can read "MyWordz" - words that interest them - they fall in love with word mapping, and ultimately reading. And when they can learn without barriers, they become unstoppable explorers of knowledge.

Autodidacts can also be fantastic teachers, as their deep curiosity, self-driven learning, and ability to break down complex concepts in unique ways often make them excellent at guiding others—even at just four years old!

Facilitating the “I Can Learn Without You” Mindset: Empowering Hyperlexic and Autodidactic Learners

Many children today are natural autodidacts, driven by curiosity rather than structured instruction. Some are also hyperlexic, decoding text at an advanced level long before formal teaching begins. Yet, despite their impressive reading skills, they often struggle with traditional phonics-based instruction that assumes all children need step-by-step guidance.

The "I Can Learn Without You" System is designed for these learners—children who don’t need rigid lessons but rather a dynamic, interactive environment where they can explore words on their own terms.

Why Hyperlexic & Autodidactic Learners Thrive with This System:

No Waiting for a Teacher – They don’t need to wait for structured lessons; they can explore words, sounds, and meanings instantly, and also lessons.
Instant Word Mapping – Instead of struggling with phonics rules, they see how words work visually and linguistically, accelerating their ability to make connections.
Curiosity-Driven Learning – They can click, interact, and experiment with words, rather than following a one-size-fits-all programme.
Supports Deep-Dive Thinking – Many hyperlexic children develop intense interests in specific topics; this system allows them to decode and explore information independently.
Adaptive & Non-Restrictive – Traditional reading instruction can frustrate hyperlexic learners who already decode fluently but struggle with comprehension. This system enables them to engage at their level and learn through context rather than forced phonics sequences.

Instead of being held back by rigid teaching methods, these children can self-learn, explore, and truly enjoy learning—because they already have the ability. They just need a system that keeps up with them.