Catching them young. How to help your pre-school child.

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of doing a drop in session at a toddler play session in Mid Wales. As the toddlers spun around the hall in toy cars and happily played alongside one another, I chatted with parents and carers. Many people had tales to tell of how their dyslexia hadn't been properly addressed by schools. There were some positive outcomes but, sadly, they were largely down to the determination and sheer hard work of the individual rather than down to getting the right support from the education system.

Knowing that dyslexia runs in families, I knew that some of these little ones, playing in the hall, were bound to be dyslexic. I hoped that they would get more support in school than their parents had. School shouldn't be a big struggle for anyone and with the right support children with dyslexia can and do thrive. 

Many parents wondered what they could do to support their young children. Early intervention is key with dyslexia and whilst you can't spot the signs till the age of three or screen till they are four and a half, there is no harm in supporting them in their toddler phase. The truth is, the things you do for children with dyslexia work for all children. There is no downside.

With that in mind, here are some suggestions for things you can do with your pre-school child.

• Sing nursery rhymes and encourage your child to join in
• Talk about words that rhyme and clap out the rhythm of your child's name
• Play sound lotto. Try closing your eyes and identifying the noises around you
• Sound words out using the letter sounds e.g m-a-n
• Play I Spy – there are lots of variations e.g I spy something that rhymes with hat/ starts with the same sound as dog/ starts with the sound b
• Play with foam letters in the bath. Spell out your child's name or names of other family members. Just let them handle and play with the letters
• Play Kim's game to help improve memory skills – put objects on a tray, cover them with a tea towel then remove an item and ask your child to say what is missing
• Practice forming letters in sand, using shaving foam,play dough or simply using your finger in the air
• Use wooden or magnetic letters to help your child to sequence and name letters of the alphabet
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Essentially, you want to make letters and words an everyday part of your child's life – constant exposure in a relaxed way can make all the difference. In addition to the suggestions above, just read to your child and fill them with a love for the written word. Listen to audio books in the car or have them on in the background at home. The more familiarity the better. And it is never too early to start!

Want to know more? Contact me today to get your child the help and support they need to succeed.