Homeschooling a baby with dyslexia within the elementary years can really feel overwhelming, I do know. I’ve homeschooled 8 of them! We are able to see that our children are good, however utilizing conventional curriculum and educating strategies typically results in frustration. After 30 years of homeschooling youngsters with dyslexia, I can guarantee you, homeschooling provides you simply the liberty your loved ones must prioritize what’s vital and to make use of one of the best curriculum.
On this put up, we’ll discover how dyslexic youngsters be taught otherwise and the way that impacts studying in elementary college. Then we’ll speak about what topics and expertise to prioritize in grades Ok–5, the best educating strategies, and a few of the greatest curriculum selections for studying, writing, math, and past.
How Youngsters With Dyslexia Be taught Otherwise
Dyslexia is a language-based studying distinction that primarily impacts studying and spelling. It’s not a matter of intelligence—many youngsters with dyslexia are exceptionally vivid and artistic—however they typically wrestle with:
- Decoding phrases (sounding them out)
- Spelling (even phrases they use each day)
- Processing and remembering directions
- Writing (typically on account of dysgraphia or slower processing)
They could additionally expertise challenges with working reminiscence, auditory processing, visible processing, or consideration. Conventional strategies that depend on repetition via studying and writing don’t work nicely. As a substitute, dyslexic learners want a structured, specific, and multisensory method that builds foundational expertise in a step-by-step means.
What to Prioritize in Grades Ok–5
The standard tempo of conventional elementary colleges strikes means too quick for college students with dyslexia. Our children want a LOT extra evaluate of something language associated. For this reason youngsters turn into anxious and careworn in conventional colleges. As a homeschooler, you’ve gotten the liberty to go at your youngster’s tempo. It is not uncommon for teenagers with dyslexia to be taught to learn fluently and independently later – at 9 years previous or later.
When homeschooling younger youngsters with dyslexia, give attention to what issues most: constructing a robust basis in studying and math, making a love for studying, and supporting growth at their tempo.
1. Construct a Sturdy Studying Basis
- Prioritize structured, multisensory instruction in studying, spelling, and math.
- Count on a slower studying curve—that is regular for teenagers with dyslexia.
- Use early intervention instruments like phonemic consciousness actions and Orton-Gillingham-based studying packages.
2. Maintain Historical past, Science & the Arts Mild
- Deal with publicity over mastery.
- Use read-alouds, area journeys, and unit research.
- Skip the checks—go hands-on and combine studying into each day life.
3. Learn Aloud Each Day
- Studying aloud (or utilizing audiobooks) improves vocabulary, comprehension, and a focus span.
- It’s particularly essential for dyslexic learners and creates connection and a love of books.
4. Encourage Free Play & Outside Time
- Outside play builds confidence, focus, creativity, and reduces stress—particularly helpful for ADHD.
- Let nature be their classroom: backyard, hike, play, discover.
5. Use Easy Assistive Instruments
- Introduce low-effort tech like audiobooks, multiplication charts, or speech-to-text apps when wanted.
The right way to Educate Studying to Youngsters with Dyslexia in Elementary Faculty
You will have heard a daunting statistic that claims dyslexic youngsters who haven’t caught as much as their friends in studying by third grade, won’t ever catch up. The issues is that this examine was youngsters in conventional colleges who don’t get the best sorts of help to start with and who for probably the most half, don’t get the best sorts of help even after colleges acknowledge they want specialised instruction.
Take it from me; your youngsters will be taught to learn. Simply maintain educating them at their tempo, at their stage and ultimately they’ll be taught to learn.
What you should find out about educating studying to youngsters with dyslexia in elementary college.
Studying instruction: Educate studying 3-5 days per week with a program constructed on the Orton-Gillingham method.
Oral language growth: Learn aloud typically, speak about tales, construct vocabulary via dialog and play.
Bear in mind to evaluate as typically as wanted. Most dyslexic youngsters in elementary college will wrestle to recollect phonics guidelines. Maintain reviewing with multi-sensory strategies and proceed to learn aloud as typically as potential.
Studying & Spelling Applications for Elementary Ages
I compiled comparability of the highest 4 Orton-Gillingham studying packages designed for folks to make use of at house. See that right here: Mum or dad-Pleasant Orton-Gillingham Studying Program Comparability. Applications included within the comparability are All About Studying, Logic of English, Barton Studying & Spelling, and Studying Horizons.
All of those packages embrace spelling and primary grammar.
Any further grammar might be postponed till your youngster is studying pretty fluently. At the moment, I start with Day by day Grams for easy, sensible, each day grammar evaluate. (I simply purchase the scholar workbook. No want for the mother or father information until you need assistance with grammar too!)
Instructing Math within the Elementary Years
Most youngsters with dyslexia don’t wrestle with studying math ideas.
All elementary youngsters do nicely with a hands-on math program the place they’ll contact and see the ideas they’re being taught. See my suggestions beneath.
Most youngsters with dyslexia will wrestle to memorize their math information. I hardly ever advocate holding youngsters again in math till math information are mastered as it could take fairly some time. As a substitute provide helps like math truth sheets and proceed to work on truth mastery for a couple of minutes (5-10) every day.
Really helpful Elementary Homeschool Math Applications
Math U See: hands-on, easy instruction, mastery-based
Different hands-on, multi-sensory math packages:
Instructing Textbooks (starting in third grade): Instructing Textbooks is a really extremely regarded on-line math program. See my evaluate right here.
Enjoyable and (principally) free math sources:
Learn: The right way to train math with no math curriculum.
Learn this text on The right way to Educate Math Details to Youngsters with Dyslexia (consists of hyperlinks to a number of helpful sources)
Different Topics (Science, Historical past, and so forth.)
It’s frequent for folks homeschooling youngsters with dyslexia and ADHD to spend a lot time educating studying, spelling, and math, that there doesn’t appear to be sufficient time for a lot else. Or if there’s time, there isn’t any power or consideration left.
My robust advice for the elementary years is to prioritize studying and math and to method different topics like historical past, science, and the humanities from the standpoint of exposing youngsters to all types of information and data on these topics with out worrying about mastery.
What does this seem like?
Historical past: Studying fascinating historic fiction. Visiting museums and historic websites. Watching films and documentaries primarily based on historical past.
In order for you a curriculum, use one thing like Story of the World which approaches historical past from a story-based chronological angle. Do occasional actions from the Scholar Ebook for reinforcement.
Science: Studying about science discoveries. Go to Science Facilities or science museums. Watch films or documentaries on science matters. Buy hands-on science kits. Obtain this in depth listing of hands-on science packages organized by grade stage.
An alternative choice is to change no matter historical past or science program you need to greatest meet your youngsters wants. Choices are: Doing historical past or science for a number of hours as soon as per week. Skipping workbook assignments and discussing the questions as a substitute. Utilizing your curriculum matters as a information and filling in with documentaries and area journeys.
Encouragement for Homeschool Dad and mom
Progress might really feel sluggish within the elementary years—and a few days might really feel like nothing’s sticking—however you’re doing extremely precious work.
- Have a good time the small victories.
- Deal with progress over perfection.
- Lean into your youngster’s pursuits and strengths—dyslexic youngsters are sometimes extremely inventive, visible thinkers with robust problem-solving talents.
- Most of all, belief your instincts and your connection along with your youngster.
You’re not simply educating teachers—you’re educating resilience, confidence, and a love of studying.
You’re Not Alone—Be part of Our Neighborhood
At Homeschooling With Dyslexia, I’ve helped hundreds of households identical to yours. When you’re in search of help, encouragement, and skilled steering, I’d love to ask you to:
Let’s give our children the schooling they actually want.
Different Posts of Curiosity
The Elementary Years With Dyslexia
Busting the Delusion of Early Intervention for Dyslexia
What Studying to Learn and Write with Dyslexia Actually Seems Like