Children with dyslexia have difficulty in learning to read despite traditional instruction, at least average intelligence, and an adequate opportunity to learn. It is caused by an impairment in the brain's ability to translate images received from the eyes or ears into understandable language. Dyslexia does not reflect on your child's intelligence and is a learning difficulty that be dealt with.
There are several small things you can do to help your child if they suffer from dyslexia. Here are a few helpful tips that can help your child learn and help you cope with difficulties that might arise
- Talk to your child about dyslexia and explain how it may affect them and what you both can do to overcome it.
- Read to and with your child - as often and for as long as possible. This will help with their vocabulary and teach them how to pronounce words. It will also teach them that reading can be enjoyable.
- Listen to your child. Learn to hear what the child is saying and note what is not being said. Pick up on tone of voice indicating possible worries. Ask open questions, such as ‘how do you feel about that?’ to encourage them to express their feelings to you.
- Play games together. Games like "I spy", memory games, draughts, chess, and monopoly are all fun and can help get your child brain working. Never underestimate the amount of learning a child does simply by being with you and observing.
- Watch TV together and discuss what you see.
It is important that you don't feel guilty about your child’s learning difficulties. There is nothing that you did to cause your child's dyslexia and there is nothing you could have done to prevent it. It is also important to remember that it is not as a result of a bad education or a poor teacher. Dyslexia can be frustrating but is also very possible to overcome.
