Help dyslexic children learn to become more independent. Use a picture checklist to help them get ready for school on their own.
A dyslexic child may find it hard to follow spoken instructions, like being asked to get dressed. Pictures can make instructions easier to follow.
This activity is based on scientific research. Learn more: “Neurogenetics and auditory processing dyslexia”.
Try it today: a mini picture checklist
Start small with just a few morning jobs. Then:
- Draw 3 pictures – for example, eating breakfast, getting dressed and grabbing a school bag. Stick them where your child can see them.
- Let them tick it off – your child does each job and ticks the picture. Give lots of praise for each one they finish.
Dyslexic children can struggle with the idea of time. If you say they have 5 minutes, make sure it really is 5 minutes.
Want a ready-made picture checklist?
The School Ready card has simple steps for you on the front and a full picture checklist for your child on the back, so they can get ready on their own. Everything is in one place. It’s one of 56 ten-minute activities in the Mooki Cards deck.
Instant download · use on a phone or tablet, or print and fill in
Encourage independence in dyslexic kids
Get advice from the Dyslexic Mum below. Find out how she used a picture checklist to help her dyslexic child get school-ready:
“Every school morning was the same. The alarm clock would ring and we would get out of bed at 6am. Still, it was always a rush, and my child was late. This was frustrating. I wanted her to be more independent, but did not want to keep nagging her.
To help her, I made a ‘School Ready’ picture checklist. It was clear and easy to follow. It showed her everything she needed to do, from eating breakfast to grabbing her school bag. Finally, we started to get ready for school.”
Watch the video below: ‘School ready checklist’. The Dyslexic Mum shows you how to use a picture checklist.
Use these top tips from the Dyslexic Mum when using a ‘School Ready’ checklist:
- Use pictures – checklists help dyslexic children remember tasks. Adding pictures helps them understand.
- Praise – at first, a child may not follow the order on the checklist. Let them pick one item to complete. When they succeed, give lots of praise. Encourage them to try another item. This builds their confidence to complete the whole checklist.
- Reward – use the checklist every day. To motivate your child, offer a weekly reward. This could be staying up half an hour later or inviting a friend over to play.
To learn more about dyslexic thinking, see the book “Defeat dyslexia! Parents guide to dyslexia”.