Early intervention is the key to success. Being aware of the nature of dyslexia and understanding the strengths that dyslexia offers is paramount to helping these children reach their potential.
Early Warning Signs
Difficulty with rhyming (recognising and producing)
Difficulty with directions
Difficulty with sequence and patterns (including left and right, counting, days of week, seasons etc)
Forgetting names for common objects
Difficulty learning new words
Problems remembering colours, letters and numbers
Family history of reading and/or learning difficulty
Other possible signs (these are not always necessarily apparent):
Delay in talking
Slow development of fine motor skills
Read As Much As Possible
It is so important to immerse your child in literacy. Read to your child as much as possible. Allow your child to peruse through books - all types of books. Use audio books, discuss the stories you read together and allow your child access to as many books as possible. Role model reading by reading yourself.
Build Vocabulary
Try to discuss current issues where appropriate
Talk while driving in the car about what you see or any interesting stories. Play ‘I Spy’ as this encourages children to think about letters and colours.
Read interesting stories (fiction or non-fiction) to your child as much as possible.
Talk to your child on an appropriate level (don’t use baby talk!)
Working Memory Activities
Play memory games often. Games such as Memory Card Games, or put a group of objects together and take one away and child guesses what is missing.
Following Instructions
Cook/bake with your child using simple recipes and read through the recipe together. Follow the steps and demonstrate the importance of following the steps in order.
Build models, lego, puzzles, kits using the step by step instructions.
Use maps to follow directions to a particular destination.
How Can I Help?
Read Aloud
Reading aloud to your child is SO important. Aim to focus on accuracy, use expression and read at the appropriate rate. Focus on these features help make a book come alive. It is also helpful to pause and relate a shared experience to allow the child to connect personally. Trying to read difficult sentences and/or re-reading important sections helps the student to realise that the real reason for reading is for understanding. For more information on reading aloud click here: Importance of Reading Aloud
Advocate for your child
There is a widespread need for awareness of dyslexia, particularly amongst teachers. It is so important to advocate for your child and share your understanding. Meet with the teacher at the beginning of each year and share your experience with any difficulties you have noticed with your child. Share how he/she best learns and what his/her strengths (and weaknesses) are. Over time encourage your child to advocate for him/herself - they will become empowered and hopefully build a better understanding of how they best learn. For more information click here: Advocating for your child
Focus on Strengths
Allow your child to discover their strengths by providing as many opportunities as possible including sports, music, drama, art/craft, puzzles, lego, etc. Focus on these strengths and encourage the child to shine in these strengths as much as possible. This is imperative in building self confidence which is ultimately what will lead to their success in school and life. Here are some positive stories from dyslexics Positive Dyslexic Stories
‘Encourage your child to view himself as a person who has something to say and whom people should respect’ - Sally Shaywitz
