Everyday strategies to help children with dyslexia

My daughter, aged seven, displayed trouble with reading and writing in her initial schooling years. Reading aloud text in the books and notebooks suddenly seemed scary to her. She would become irritated and aggressive when it came to studying, often shying away or avoiding reading altogether. As a parent, I was concerned about her ability to keep up with the school syllabus and enjoy learning.

At school, teachers began sharing their concerns, such as her reluctance to read aloud in class, and her sentences often appeared in fragments or were not complete at all. Her handwriting wandered off the line, and sometimes she spelt the same word in three different ways within a single page. I noticed she struggled with letter sounds and often mixed up similar-looking letters and numbers (e.g., b/d, p/q, m/w, 6/9).

She even reversed letters when writing in her notebook. She also had trouble with left-right orientation and tracking objects in motion, like a ball approaching from the side. She would put on her shoes in the wrong order. She would get hit by moving objects as she couldn’t assess the direction of approach.

In my quest to help her, I began researching information on learning disabilities. This is where I first encountered the term’ dyslexia’. 

The idea that a child can struggle with reading, even though bright and capable, felt both alarming and reassuring—alarming because it explained the struggle, and reassuring because it offered a solution forward. Someone referred to the movie Taare Zameen Par, and we eagerly watched the protagonist child navigating similar obstacles and eventually thriving at school with the right support from the teacher.

Our daughter’s struggles were similar. She refused to read aloud at school, fearing she would be mocked or bullied. This didn’t reflect a lack of effort or intelligence on her part; it highlighted a learning disability that one in ten children experience.

Understanding dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects how the brain processes written language. People with dyslexia often struggle with reading and spelling, despite being intelligent for their age and motivated to learn. It involves difficulties in recognising speech sounds, breaking down words, and decoding them into letter sounds.

Early signs can include difficulty recognising letters, trouble blending sounds, reversing letters while written, and struggles with sequencing. Despite these challenges, with targeted strategies and support from parents and tutors, children with dyslexia can hone their reading and writing skills, cope with the syllabus (with time and patience) and excel in other areas they enjoy, such as arts, crafts and colouring.

How to support a dyslexic child

Create a supportive routine: Short, frequent study sessions with breaks help maintain focus on reading. We use a mix of activities (reading, writing, colouring) to keep her engaged.

Use multisensory approaches: She learns best when she can hear and touch the alphabet to support sight. Pair letter sounds with colourful letters. Allow tracing of the alphabet on the sand and encourage more hands-on activities in the learning routine.

Colour and creativity as tools: Incorporate coloured pens and highlighters to organise writing, highlight sounds, and separate sections. Use a lot of stickers and pictures alongside written text to better connect and relate.

Phonics and explicit instruction: Systematic, explicit phonics teaching helps her connect sounds to letters, step by step.

Assistive strategies: Reading aloud with guidance and using larger alphabet prints during reading hours. Allow pauses, repeat instructions, and read aloud together to reduce pressure.

Positive reinforcement: Celebrate small wins and gradual progress. Reassure and encourage to build confidence.

Collaborate with educators: Constantly communicate with teachers to track progress, maintain consistency between home and school, and explore more learning intervention options if needed.

Professional evaluation: Obtain a formal assessment by an educational psychologist or a dyslexia specialist to outline your learning needs. Please submit this formal report to the school to assist in devising additional learning support plans and providing a shadow teacher at the school.

Tips for parents and teachers

Be patient and non-judgmental. Progress is a gradual process. Do not strive for perfection; instead, let the child develop at their own pace.

Break tasks into manageable steps with fun activities in between. Acknowledge each step forward.

Use rhythm and repetition in a fun, low-stress way. Reward small wins and praise efforts.

Embrace their talents, such as artistic and colouring skills, which are valuable anchors for learning.

My daughter’s journey is still unfolding, but with understanding and strategies tailored to her needs, she is learning to cope with it. If you notice similar patterns in your child, he/she is not at fault. You can help them overcome this learning disability with the right guidance and encouragement at home/school. Given the right support, every child can find their own path to literacy and success.