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Children with dyslexia may face an even bigger struggle as they attempt to adapt to eLearning
We offer this guide for parents with tips and resources to help your child succeed as they navigate distance learning.
Tip #1: Practice patience
The first rule of distance learning is to be patient. Everyone is struggling with the changes required due to COVID-19 restrictions. Students with learning difficulties like dyslexia will require extra support. If you get frustrated, so will your child. Keep your cool, and you can both survive and thrive.
Tip #2: Look for the silver lining
While we might think children diagnosed with dyslexia will not be able to cope with distance learning, there may be some advantages to learning at home. A classroom environment is very structured, and your child must adhere to the school’s schedule. Sitting still for hours a day may not be the best environment for a child whose brain works differently.
Learning at home means you have more flexibility to structure the day to suit the way your child behaves, thinks, and learns. You can take breaks when you need them and be more in charge of when schoolwork gets done.
Tip #3: Create the right eLearning environment
This tip can actually apply to any student who is learning from home. Do your best to set up a designated area for “school.” It should be a quiet and relaxing environment. Having one place set aside will signal that it is time to concentrate and work. This will help everyone stay focused.
Tip #4: Read to your child
You can enhance your child’s love of learning and language by reading books aloud. (This applies to all children and not just those who struggle with dyslexia.) You don’t have to stop when your child gets older, either.
Tip #5: Incorporate technology tools
There are some pretty incredible tools that can make distance learning easier. Some may be familiar, but others might be new to you.
- Reader pens. This tool looks like a highlighter, but it does way more than just highlight words. You scan the pen over text, and it will read aloud. You can scan a single word or complete sentences. Some models have a built-in dictionary so your child can look up the definitions or search for more information about certain words.
- Text-to-speech tool. There are several text-to-speech programs available online. These programs will read passages out loud so your child can listen to them instead of just reading the words. Some programs have a feature that will highlight the words they’re reading so your child can follow along.
- Speech-to-text tool. Maybe your child can think of the right words but has trouble getting them down on paper. Speech-to-text programs allow your child to speak what he or she wants to write. The words are then typed on the computer screen. It takes some time for the program to “learn” your child’s voice and speech patterns, but you’ll soon find that it makes completing assignments much easier. You can find free Speech-to-Text tools or purchase a program.
- Audiobooks. You can buy audiobooks for many modern novels, classic literature, and nonfiction books. All your child needs is a computer, tablet, or smartphone to listen to an audiobook. It’s a low-tech and fairly inexpensive way to make reading more engaging for children who struggle with written words.
Get the support from The Learning Lab
The Learning Lab is here to be a resource during this time of upheaval and change. We can help rebuild your child’s confidence and design a program that fits his or her learning style and unique challenges.
The Learning Lab is for smart kids who struggle to show their intelligence in school. In our I3 Lab, we will create a personalized plan that meets your child’s learning needs. We also use a range of academic software to support your child as they reach their goals. We offer a 1:1 setting or 3:1 small group setting for children who work better with peers.
Our eLearning Lab Support Program helps children adapt to distance learning. We help bridge the gap between what your child needs and what a school can provide in a virtual learning environment.
Take our free online analysis to determine if your child could use our services. You will then be contacted to begin our placement procedure; this will give us a better picture of your child’s needs.
