School can be difficult for anyone, but it can be especially challenging for kids who have dyslexia. Dyslexia is a specific reading disability that makes it difficult for some people to process language. For example, people with dyslexia have difficulty learning to read and spell because they struggle with automatic word recognition, processing speed, and other related cognitive issues. But there are things you can do to make school easier for kids with dyslexia.
As a teacher with over 17 years of experience working with many children and having a husband who lives with the daily struggle of having dyslexia, I constantly try to improve how I teach so my students have the best learning Experience. I use the Advice from my husband and the feedback from my student to ease the learning process for students and parents, and I hope my ten tips will help you navigate learning with dyslexia.
Here are ten ways to help your child succeed in school:
Make learning to read a priority. (read Together)
It’s essential to start the learning to read process, but for a child with dyslexia, this is too hard to do alone you, as a parent or a teacher, will need to be there every step of the way. Give books to read together and encourage them to participate in literacy-related activities. Reading every day together will make school easier for your child and yourself.
Reading together will take the pressure off your child to fully understand what is written down because that is where their problems lie. Also, if you read out loud and your child reads in their head, they will start expanding their reading vocabulary. over time; you want to have your child begin to read with you out loud and have their confidence grow until they feel comfortable enough to do it all by them self.
Be very patient and believe that your child is doing their best.
Encourage your child to take breaks.
During the day, Many kids with dyslexia struggle with inattentiveness and hyperactivity. Please encourage your child to schedule shorter breaks throughout the day to give them time to rest and refocus. For example, if your child is struggling with English, have them take a break for 10 minutes every 30 minutes. This will give their brain a chance to rest to continue processing information.
Teach your child the value of a good pen grip
One of the most common dyslexia symptoms is poor handwriting. Unfortunately, about 50-80 percent of kids diagnosed with dyslexia also struggle with poor handwriting. For kids struggling to write legibly, try teaching them the value of a good pen grip. In addition, encourage them to use their whole hand while holding a pen instead of just their fingers to write. This can help improve the quality and legibility of their handwriting.
Bring in an online tutor or virtual assistant.
One way to make school easier is to bring an online tutor or virtual assistant. These individuals can assist you with reading, writing, and homework. If you’re looking for a tutor for your child, use the “Find a Tutor” database on sites like TutorVista and Guru.com to find someone qualified to work with your child’s needs. A virtual assistant can help do administrative tasks that your child might be unable to handle independently.
Establish an author study group for your dyslexic student
Your dyslexic student may have trouble reading and spelling because they go too fast to process the words. So, if your child has dyslexia, it could be helpful to put them in a study group with less text on each page because they’ll need to take their time digesting what they’re reading. You can also help by explaining each author’s language style and how it impacts the content of their work.
Assign people with dyslexia to read groups early on
Kids with dyslexia can get overwhelmed by the stress of trying to read a lot and the pressure from their peers. Please help your child by assigning them to a reading group when they are still in preschool so that they are surrounded by people who will help them succeed. Make sure that these groups are positively empowering your child.
Help dyslexics develop their writer’s toolbox.
The first step to helping your child succeed in school is teaching them how to write well. Dyslexic kids might have difficulty with spelling, making it difficult to express their thoughts. As a result, they may not be able to write as well as other children their age. Helping your child develop their writer’s toolbox will give them the skills they need to finish a school assignment or paper without trouble. In addition, it’s essential for dyslexic students to learn good organizational strategies because they may struggle with memorizing content or writing notes on tests and papers. An excellent way for your child to organize themselves is by using a planner. This will help them plan their time and focus on what’s most important for their assignments and projects. It also gives them something productive to do during class if they struggle with the material. The last thing you can do is teach people with dyslexia how to study effectively. This means finding methods they like and considering how much time they want to study each day because everyone has different learning styles. Whether your child enjoys listening to lectures or reading textbooks, find ways that work best for them to stay organized and motivated throughout the study season.
Keep track of homework completion and completion marks.
Ensure your child keeps track of how many hours they spend on homework each day and what percentage they complete. If your kid is struggling with schoolwork, it might be because they are overwhelmed or don’t feel like completing their work. Help them stay on track by providing a daily homework tracker to help them keep track of the number of hours they spend on homework each day and the percentage completion.
Make schoolwork fun by playing games, singing, and drawing.
Encourage your dyslexic child to draw, sing, and play games during their free time. Create activities focusing on these skills so your child is distracted from schoolwork. In addition, it may help them become more engaged in learning new things and taking tests.
Read aloud every day.
This might not be the most exciting tip on this list, but it’s imperative. Read aloud to your child every day. It’s a skill that can be learned and honed over time, so don’t worry if you start reading to your kid and they’re not interested in it yet. Just keep at it! If they love to hear stories read aloud, find a new book every day. Even if they have difficulty processing language, spending time with you will help them learn more words and gain self-confidence.
Use tech to your advantage.
Dyslexia can make it challenging to learn new reading and writing skills, so technology is the best tool you have at your disposal. Here are some ways that technology can help dyslexic students:
- Use apps like iBooks or Kindle to read ebooks, which can be more engaging than printed text.
- Offer computer-based tutoring sessions with your child to improve their writing and typing skills.
- Consider using a computer-based software program for math instruction, which is easier for kids to process than traditional paper-based methods
- Get them involved in social media by posting on their wall or following them on Instagram or Snapchat, prompting them to write more.
- Provide a dedicated space for your child to write assignments
- Have your child write out assignments in advance
- Offer private lessons so that they can work independently
- Make sure they are energized while they learn
Conclusion:
For Students with Dyslexia, positive reinforcements will give you the greatest return and the most significant relation with your child. Please be there for your child and assist them where needed. Please use all the help a school system can provide, use all the specialists you have, and most of all, listen to your child.