As you look towards the new school year, do you find yourself thinking more about your child’s attitude towards reading, especially if he is dyslexic or if reading is getting more challenging for him? The International Dyslexia Association has created a list of books for young children to teens, that foster positive attitudes and most importantly help children uncover their own feelings.
If You’re So Smart, How Come You Can’t Spell Mississippi? is written for a primary-age child. The main character is precocious, third grader Katie who learns that her father, an attorney, has dyslexia. Could reading this book stimulate your child’s thinking about how a parent with dyslexia can be a stellar role model and also increase his appreciation for different types of learners?
How Dyslexic Benny Became a Star is another book, that one of my students – an avid baseball player, could relate to. Benny, a fifth grader, is a star on another field – the football field. When he discovers he is dyslexic, he shares this knowledge with fellow team members only to find that they offer their support and understanding. Could reading this book help your child realize that many talents exist within a dyslexic profile and dyslexia can be discussed among one’s peers?
And if your daughter declares one day that she never wants to spell again, reading
The Worst Speller in Junior High just might help her rethink how she feels, when she “meets” seventh grader, Katie who is dyslexic. Could reading this book expand her understanding that she is not so alone in some of her feelings and encourage her to realize that with or without dyslexia, her classmates also deal with challenging realities?
Finding great books that help your son or daughter “grow” their self-esteem, are invaluable! I hope like me, you’ll keep searching for new ones! Wishing your child a continually growing positive attitude for this new school year!