Home Schooling & Dyslexia
School closures and minimal staff contact time have led to even lower rates of diagnosis. It has also meant parents having to try and support their children at home without specialist training and expertise. This is made even more challenging if one or both parents have to work from home.
If your child is unable to access the Zoom lessons provided or is struggling to concentrate or stay focussed, then regular breaks and other activities may help. Home schooling is a challenge for all families, but particularly so for parents and children with dyslexia. Here are some suggestions of some activities which could help you with home learning:
Wordshark is a great literacy Intervention for ages 4-16+ to improve spelling and reading skills. It has been re-written specifically for use online. It is adaptable, easy to access and great for home learning. This computer program combines games with the serious task of reading and spelling. Each of the 60 motivation games is designed to address discreet skills in the teaching and reinforcing of reading and spelling. The word lists and games address common letter and auditory patterns, prefixes and suffixes, homophones, spelling rules, alphabet and dictionary skills and use of words in context. It is suitable for Primary and Secondary students. Visit: www.wordshark.co.uk or call them on 020 8748 5927 for more information.
Numbershark is a numeracy programme and is particularly helpful to address poor attention span and short -term memory. It helps with sequencing skills and the teaching of numerous maths concepts featuring over 50 games. It is also a great resource for learning all the necessary times tables! Visit Numbershark for more details.
Mind Maps for Kids
To improve memory, concentration, motivation and absorption of facts and figures see Mind Maps for Kids and Max your Memory and Concentration by Tony Buzan Ages 7-14. These 2 books are fun to use and are packed with jokes, cartoons and brainteasers. They show kids how to use learning tools, memory tips and mind maps to succeed in every subject and find new inspiration outside the classroom. He dedicates his books to kids everywhere: to their amazing minds and boundless creativity.
Reading books – Children may enjoy the super readable dyslexia-friendly fiction books by the best authors in the UK published by Barrington Stoke. They have a higher interest age and lower reading age and can be purchased in small packs at very reasonable prices. See also shorter books at www.niace.org.uk
Children may enjoy reading simultaneously with an audio book. The local library should have a selection of listening books or there is the listening library at www.listening-books.org.uk
Handwriting/Fine Motor Skills
Triangular Faber-Castell pens and pencils are also very comfortable for pupils with handwriting difficulties. To reinforce correct letter formation and joins, children may enjoy Re-Write” Books 1 & 2. See also the Happy Puzzle Company for games, jigsaws and activities to develop and strengthen fine motor control.
Other online learning resources are:
Brain Pop website which provides engaging animated videos covering English, Maths, Arts, Music, Health and Technology. Visit: Brainpop.com
The FreeSchool channel on YouTube for short educational videos. Visit: youtube.com/c/FreeSchool.
For artistic children – Creative Bug offers 30 free day trial of craft/drawing lessons. Visit: creativebug.com
For information about resources on a huge range of topics go to Parentkind.org.uk
Oak National Academy (curated by teachers) Visit: thenational.academy
Pilates and Yoga
YouTube have numerous short videos for your child to do on a daily basis.
I am a a member of the British Dyslexia Association and PATOSS (Professional Association of Teachers with Specific Learning Difficulties). I provide COVID safe dyslexia assessments for children between the ages of 7 and 14 years of age from my home in Bishop’s Stortford, on the Herts & Essex border and within easy reach of London, Cambridge, Kent, Suffolk, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Contact me today to find out availability for your child’s COVID safe dyslexia assessment if you have any concerns about your child as a result of home schooling.