How do you motivate a dyslexic child? Fact based praise

Learn how to give a dyslexic child praise in a way that will help motivate them to learn more.

Giving a child fact-based praise helps to motivate them to learn more and builds their confidence. It helps the child improve by giving them ideas to try in the future.

Fact-based praise is based on research. Learn more in “Impact of behaviour specific praise”.

Give helpful praise to dyslexic kids

Learn from the Dyslexic Mum why fact-based praise is more helpful for children:

“Imagine your child came home with their school report and all it said was, ‘well done, good work’. What would you think? I would think, how is this useful? I want to know what my child is good at, and why.

A better approach is to help children improve by giving meaningful praise. Explain why their work is good and offer ideas on how to improve. I created the Fact Based Praise card to help you see what effective praise looks like.”

Watch the video ‘Give praise’ below, where the Dyslexic Mum explains how to give fact-based praise:

Follow these top tips from the Dyslexic Mum when you give fact-based praise:

• Positive praise – when giving a child feedback about their work, use lots of praise and be positive. Focus on what they have done well. Suggest what they could try to improve, rather than pointing out all their mistakes.
• What is good? – start by saying what is good. For example, “Your spelling has improved. You got 3 out of 10 this week, well done!”
• Why is it good? – then say why the child’s work is good. For example, “I can see you have been practising your spellings at home. This week you spelt ‘King’ correctly, with a ‘K’ instead of a ‘C’.”
• Try this next – suggest ideas to get even better. For learning spellings, they could try the “Rule of 10” method.

To learn more about giving quality praise, see “The power of effective praise”.