Dyslexia Series – Part 6: How to Make Reading Fun for your Child!

 The Reading Corner in my downsized home (Empty-Nest) ready for my future grandchildren.

My younger son’s little wooden, antique chair is ready to hold another tiny reader.

There are Baskets of Children’s Books…

& the Cypress hutch is filled with literature just waiting to be read.

  (I’ll add the necessary floor pillows and comforters… when I actually have grandkids.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As a mom of a dyslexic learner and as a Neuhaus-trained tutor (Orton-Gillingham based program) for 14+ years, I have used many fun reading strategies. Probably none of these ideas are totally original, but I adapted them to benefit my sons and their learning styles.

Today, I would like to share a few tips and techniques you might like to try with your own child.

The Reading Safari

One of my favorite reading games.  When my dyslexic son was very young (preschool-kindergarten), we would pile into my huge Suburban and drive around town reading signs and advertisements.  Any group of words on store windows, buildings, or marquees were decoded and sounded-out.  When he mastered one particular shopping center, we’d move on to the next area of town. 

It was so much fun – it didn’t seem like reading at all. We would get a cup of ice cream, sit in a parking lot, and talk about spelling rules, irregular (outlaw) words, and consonant blends.  No doubt, I had great fun, too.

The Reading Corner

When my boys were small, I always provided a Reading Nook.  A place designated and designed for a comfy reading place…just their size.  When we were building our home – we were in a rental townhouse, so I was very limited in the ways I could modify our home.   Since we had a wide-open staircase with soft carpeted steps, carving out a corner did not create a tripping hazard.  So I placed floor pillows and soft, blankets in the large landing.  Piled stacks of books and taped book posters on the walls.  It was perfect for 2 little boys to curl up with a book.  I so loved reading in this cozy corner with my two sons.

When our home was finally built and ready for move-in, I created a window seat with a thick cushion for my younger son – in his bedroom.  Underneath this little built-in bench, with a panoramic view of our cul-de-sac, was a large pull-out drawer perfect for storing his books and toys.  He spent hours in this snug space…his very own little part of the world which fostered the love of reading.

For both of my boys, I wanted reading at home to be associated with a pleasant environment.

Reading Classroom at Home

Conventional wisdom says – after spending a long day in the classroom, the last thing a dyslexic student wants to do – is spend another minute in any facsimile of school.  Well, I agree.  To a point. 

What if you created a friendly classroom setting in the comfort and security of his own personally decorated bedroom? Big difference.

My husband and I found an inexpensive (floor sample) but beautiful, solid wood child’s desk from Lexington as the main feature of my son’s at-home reading classroom.  We allowed our son to choose his very own desktop supplies and accessories… including the lamp of his choice. Giving him special authority and a say-so in designing this area, set the tone for his new Reading Room.

And on the wall, there was a giant white board perfectly placed for his reach… for writing.

We read books together.  Wrote vocabulary words and diagrammed sentences on the white board.  Used the little desk for writing complete sentences and practiced his spelling list. 

But there was a noticeable difference in his desk at school and this one at home:  A little plate of ‘study buddies’ – a.k.a. chocolate chip cookies – was within easy reach while my son worked.

It was school alright, but it was an ideal classroom created BY and FOR a wonderful son.

_____

As my regular readers already know, I try to add at least 1 article to my Dyslexia Series each week.  Please know, that this is the first post I have written for this blog that moved me to tears.

This morning, as I wrote…I remembered.

I cherished those times then…and I yearn for them now.

Both my husband and I love books…and despite the diagnosis of dyslexia, we were determined to instill the love of the written word in our young son through experiential learning at home.

Wishing you only blessed moments and great success… in your efforts to make reading fun for your child.

_____

Here’s a recap of the articles included in my category of: 

Education: Advocacy for Dyslexic Learners

Part 1:  What Every Parents Must Know to Help Their Child Today – Letter to Parents of Dyslexic Children

Part 2:  What Every Parents Must Know to Help Their Child Today – How to Find a Tutor

Part 3:  Two Essential Websites for Parents

Part 4:  YOUR Questions…MY Answers

Part 5:  A Simple Tool for Teaching Reading Comprehension