Playing games with your child creates an environment of acceptance that is often not given to the dyslexia child and creates a sense of security. Playing with members of the family is especially rewarding. However, you as the parent take the responsibility of making the games. This isn’t that difficult, and, in time, your child will be able to work with you in making the games.

Follow up:

Here is a game that takes a minimum amount of time to prepare. You will notice that these are multi-sensory games which allow the child to learn by using more than sense. This game is also a very good one for the child who has an extremely short attention span and who responds well to visual clues.

“Sensory I Spy”
Needed: Index cards, glue, old magazines, scissors, set of alphabet letters
Go through the magazines. Cut pictures that represent letters of the alphabet. Examples: B – Find a picture of a boy; E- Find a picture of an elephant. Find at least two pictures for each letter of the alphabet. More pictures can be added to make the game more challenging as you play the game for a period of time. If magazines aren’t available, feel free to find pictures on your computer.

Cut the pictures and glue one per index card. You should have at least fifty-six cards. Remember: You can more as your game progresses over time.

Time to play
Spread five or six cards with the picture up on the playing table.
Choose one letter from the set of alphabet letters.
Create a multisensory approach as you are doing this. Have the child look at the letter and the pictures you have chosen. Have his/her feel of the alphabet letter, trace the letter with a finger, and then write the letter. Have the child to look at you as you say the letter. Ask him/her to repeat the letter to you. Perform the same actions while observing the pictures chosen. Be sure he/she hears the initial sound of the beginning letter in each word that tells what the picture represents.
Ask the child to say the sound that letter says. The child may need help when first beginning to play this game. Be repetitious saying the sound over and over with the child if he/she fails to say it correctly. Keep a smile on your face. Smiles teach more than most schools do and self-confidence soars!

Ask the child to look at the picture cards on the table. Say the name of each picture so the child is sure of what each picture represents. Enunciate each beginning sound clearly for the child so that you are sure that the child has heard the sound well.
Ask the child to find a card on the table that begins with the alphabetic letter. If that picture is not on the table, you may add picture cards. After the child finds a picture of the chosen letter sound, place the picture under the alphabet letter.

The game may continue until all of the letters and pictures are used. You will be able to add more pictures each time you play making the game a little more involved and difficult each time it is played. You may be surprised to find siblings anxious to play this game with the dyslexia child, and that’s OK!