Help a dyslexic child get organised, make choices and grow in confidence. 3 short activities, 10 minutes each, over 1 week.
At a glance
- Time: 3 activities, 10 minutes each, over 1 week
- You need: pens or crayons, a quiet spot, and the 3 free worksheets below
- Mooki cards: School Ready, School Timetable, Yes Day (optional)
- By the end: the child will have a morning checklist, a picture timetable, and a fun day they planned themselves
Why independence?
A dyslexic child may struggle to get organised because of memory and planning difficulties. Giving them more responsibility, and letting them fail sometimes, can help them feel more resilient, confident, trusted and in control.
Research has shown that children who lack a feeling of self-control may become more anxious and depressed.
Before you start
- Print the worksheets. Or the child can draw their own on plain paper.
- One a day. Do each activity on a different day so the child doesn’t feel overwhelmed.
- Quiet and calm. Do them together, in a quiet place with no distractions.
- Let them try. Give the child space to make mistakes and learn from them.
Day 1: Can you get ready on your own?
Helps the child take charge of their morning routine. Uses the School Ready card.
- My step: together, write or draw each step of the morning, one per row. For example: get dressed, brush teeth, pack bag.
- Tick it: give the child 30 minutes to 1 hour before school to do each step on their own and tick that day’s box.
- Repeat each day until the child knows the routine.
Tip: if the child struggles with another task, break it into a step-by-step checklist too.
Day 2: What do you need for school?
Helps the child plan and get organised for their school week. Uses the School Timetable card.
- My day: pick one school day and write it at the top.
- What’s on? The child draws each thing that happens that day, one per row.
- What I need: next to each one, they draw what they need. Then tick Packed? when it’s in their bag.
Tip: put the timetable by the front door or bed, and check it each evening and morning.
Day 3: Yes day!
Helps the child take control by planning a fun treat. Uses the Yes Day card.
- What will we do? Ask the child to plan a fun treat and draw it. Say “yes” to their ideas (within reason).
- When? Let them choose: morning, afternoon or all day.
- What do we need? Help them write a short list.
Tip: make the Yes day work for you both. It could be a full day, or one treat hour in the afternoon.
After the week: ask yourself
- Was a task easier for the child with a checklist?
- Does the picture timetable help the child remember?
- Did the child enjoy being in charge on their Yes day?
Get all 3 activities, plus 53 more
The School Ready, School Timetable and Yes Day cards give you ready-made steps on the front and a picture activity for your child on the back. Everything is in one place. Each is one of 56 ten-minute activities in the Mooki Cards deck.
Instant download · use on a phone or tablet, or print and fill in
