The stress that parents can feel when observing their dyslexic child struggle at school can be overwhelming. Parents want to help their child and want only the best – but sometimes how to help your child is a mystery.
A dyslexic student will be working harder than their peers because it takes longer to process information, both written and spoken. Therefore, dyslexic students may come home exhausted, particularly if they have been ‘masking’ any challenges they have faced during the day. Here are a few ideas which can help your dyslexic child:
- Praise your child for what they have done well, and highlight their strengths. Encourage out of school activities to to allow them to experience success and build confidence.
- Communicate with the Support for Learning team at PHS and build positive working relationships. Your child’s pastoral teacher is a great bridge between you and your child’s teachers, and pastoral teachers are very understanding.
- Allow your child time to relax (they may be tired), appreciate that it will take your child longer to complete homework (encourage them to do this in short blocks of time), give gentle reminders to help with short term memory difficulties. Help them set up a routine of checking Teams/Teachers notes to note any homework or exam set dates.
- Be positive – try not to show your anxiety (this will make your child feel anxious)
- Organisation – establish routines, make a clutter-free homework area, plan homework breaks, check your child’s timetable with them (colour coding can help)
- Encourage your child to ask their teachers for help