| Children with Dyslexia are faced with emotional as | | | | them know that they have an average or above |
| well as academic problems to overcome. Parents | | | | average IQ and are not "stupid". Make it clear to |
| are the most influential persons in a child's life. | | | | your child that research has proven that children |
| These 5 Tips to Build Self Esteem in Children with | | | | with dyslexia can learn to read and accomplish |
| Dyslexia will help to shape the way your dyslexic | | | | what they choose to; they just may have to try |
| child feels about their personal image in a positive | | | | to learn in different ways from others. Tell them |
| manner. | | | | about famous people throughout history and |
| Tips for Building Self Esteem in Dyslexic Children | | | | many stars of today that have dyslexia and point |
| Parents are constantly looking for ways to help | | | | out to them all that these people have achieved |
| their children feel better about themselves. Low | | | | despite of having dyslexia. |
| self esteem issues are common among a child | | | | 4. List the Positive – Children with |
| with dyslexia. Here are 5 tips that will help: | | | | dyslexia are good at a variety of different |
| 1. Active Listening – Give your undivided | | | | activities. Help your child make a list of all of their |
| attention to your child as he or she talks about | | | | talents. Encourage your child to actively participate |
| their feelings. Make time to talk to your child | | | | in these areas of strength and support their |
| about the wave of emotions they may be feeling, | | | | efforts with praise. Help them set realistic and |
| their reactions to situations and what they think | | | | attainable goals that can be achieved in a relatively |
| caused the feelings to arise. ( Ex. : anger, fear, | | | | short time. This way they will see results quickly |
| shame – all common emotions dyslexic | | | | and will want to press on to the next goal. Explain |
| children may face about their learning disability) | | | | to your child that you are there to help them with |
| Allowing your child to express their feelings in a | | | | the process of reaching their goals. |
| safe environment (like home) will keep your child | | | | 5. Give Praise Daily – Giving praise for |
| from locking up these emotions. Expressing | | | | your dyslexic child's achievements cannot be |
| themselves helps to ease the tensions they may | | | | emphasized enough. Everyone likes to be |
| be experiencing and is a good form of stress | | | | complimented. Children with dyslexia are no |
| release. | | | | different in this area. Instill in your child not to |
| 2. Be Patient – As you may already be | | | | compare themselves to others but to look at |
| aware of, children with dyslexia often have a hard | | | | their own individual improvements they have |
| time verbally expressing themselves. They may | | | | made. Praise works wonders. Knowing that a |
| know what they want to say in their mind, but | | | | supportive parent acknowledges how hard they |
| getting their points across is sometimes difficult | | | | have worked to achieve their goals will go a long |
| for them to achieve. Dyslexic children often | | | | way. Admiration for your child's hard work will |
| cannot find the words to relate their message. | | | | increase their progression and give them aim to |
| They are very likely to be feeling anxious and | | | | achieve more of their goals. Become your child's |
| upset, but unsure just how or what to tell you. | | | | own personal cheering squad. Tell your child how |
| Giving them time to say what they mean will | | | | proud you are for their accomplishments. |
| show them that you understand that their | | | | Reinforcement and praise is crucial for building a |
| feelings are important and you are supporting | | | | positive self image and feelings of self worth. |
| them. This will also let them know that what they | | | | Children with dyslexia are often very smart and |
| have to say to you is meaningful and you care | | | | highly motivated. It is very frustrating for a |
| enough to let them get it out in the open. | | | | dyslexic child to work extremely hard and yet not |
| 3. Explain Dyslexia – Make sure your child | | | | progress as fast as their peers do. These and |
| understands not only what dyslexia is but also | | | | other factors can play havoc on the dyslexic's |
| what it is not. Explain that having dyslexia has | | | | self worth. You can help your child build up their |
| nothing to do with how intelligent they are. Let | | | | self esteem by putting these tips into practice. |