I have been observing a young girl whose mum works in my compound. She’s the youngest of her siblings and has always shown a keen interest in education. As a teacher, I’ve taken an interest in her academic progress and offered support. Recently, I discovered she was preparing for her Common Entrance Examination. When she visited, I assessed her academic level and noticed significant struggles with reading and spelling despite her eagerness to learn.
This experience reminded me of another child I work with who excels in complex math concepts but still struggles with basic spelling and reading. It struck me that many children face similar challenges, often leading to misconceptions about their abilities or effort. Some parents might attribute these struggles to lack of seriousness or intelligence, resorting to punitive measures.
However, these difficulties might stem from underlying learning challenges that require understanding and support rather than punishment. As an educator, I believe it’s essential to recognize and address these issues to help children reach their full potential.
Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects an individual’s ability to read, write, and spell. It’s characterized by difficulties with phonemic awareness, decoding, and processing written language.
How to support Dyslexic Children
- Multisensory learning approaches (visual, auditory, kinesthetic)
- Phonics-based reading instruction
- Assistive technology (text-to-speech software, audiobooks)
- Accommodations (extra time for reading, modified assignments)
- Individualized reading plans
Activities to Support Reading
- Phonics games and exercises
- Reading aloud with support
- Audiobooks and read-aloud apps
- Visual aids (pictures, diagrams)
- Assistive technology training.
If a child continues to struggle despite interventions, consider:
- Consulting with a reading specialist or dyslexia expert
- Comprehensive assessments to identify specific challenges
- Their school can develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
By working together with educators, specialists, and trained children educational counsellors, parents can help their dyslexic children access the support and resources they need to succeed.
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