Helping children with dyslexia learn to read requires a thoughtful, supportive approach, combining structured reading strategies with patient, positive reinforcement. Dyslexia is a language-based learning difficulty that primarily affects the ability to decode words, recognise spelling patterns, and sound out words. However, with the right approach and tools, children with dyslexia can learn to read successfully and gain confidence in their abilities.
Here’s the best approach for teaching children with dyslexia to read, along with book recommendations that can help support their learning:
Best Approach for Teaching Children with Dyslexia to Read
- Use Structured Literacy Techniques Structured literacy programs are based on explicit, systematic instruction that teaches reading in a sequential, multi-sensory way. This approach helps children with dyslexia by breaking down reading skills into manageable steps and reinforcing them with visual, auditory, and tactile techniques.
Key Elements of Structured Literacy:
- Phonemic Awareness: Teaching children to hear and manipulate sounds in words.
- Phonics Instruction: Teaching children the relationship between letters and sounds (e.g., “b” = /b/ sound).
- Fluency Building: Practicing reading familiar words and sentences quickly and accurately.
- Vocabulary Development: Expanding children’s vocabulary through reading, word games, and contextual understanding.
- Comprehension Strategies: Encouraging children to understand and discuss what they read.
- Incorporate Multi-Sensory Learning Multi-sensory techniques engage multiple senses simultaneously (visual, auditory, and kinesthetic), which can strengthen memory and learning pathways. This method is particularly effective for children with dyslexia because it allows them to access learning through different channels.
- Auditory: Focus on sound-based learning by using rhymes, songs, or apps that provide auditory feedback
- Use Repetition and Reinforcement Children with dyslexia often need more practice and repetition than others to master reading skills. Make sure to review old concepts while introducing new ones to build confidence and retention.
- Choose Books with Controlled Vocabulary Books designed specifically for dyslexic readers often use controlled vocabulary, which means they include a limited set of words that gradually increase in complexity. This method helps children build confidence without overwhelming them with unfamiliar words.
- Build Confidence with Positive Reinforcement Children with dyslexia can be easily discouraged if they struggle with reading, so it’s important to offer frequent praise and encouragement. Celebrate small victories and remind them of their progress, no matter how small.
Recommended Books for Children with Dyslexia
The following books and series are specifically designed to support dyslexic readers. They incorporate controlled vocabulary, and short sentences, all of which make them easier to read for children with dyslexia.
- “The Dyslexia-Friendly Children’s Book Collection” (Various Authors)
- A series of books that are designed with dyslexia-friendly fonts and formatting, using shorter, simpler sentences and repetitive text to build fluency.
- “Decodable Readers” (Various Authors)
- Decodable books are books where almost every word can be sounded out phonetically. These books are designed specifically to align with structured literacy techniques, so they gradually increase in complexity as a child’s phonetic skills improve.
- Look for publishers like All About Reading, Reading Rockets, or Jolly Phonics for collections of decodable readers.
Additional Tips for Teaching Reading to Children with Dyslexia:
- Use Audiobooks and Read-Along Tools: Audiobooks or apps that highlight text as it is read aloud can help children connect spoken and written language, making the reading process more accessible.
- Allow Extra Time: Dyslexic children may take longer to process written text, so give them the time they need to sound out words or reread passages.
- Be Patient and Positive: Celebrate their progress, no matter how small, and avoid focusing on mistakes. Praise their effort and perseverance.
By combining structured literacy instruction, multi-sensory learning, and appropriate resources, you can help children with dyslexia make steady progress toward becoming confident, capable readers. With the right support, they can overcome challenges and develop a lifelong love of reading.