As the parent of a dyslexic child, it’s essential that you understand how emotions affect learning and performance.
Children with dyslexia can experience a range of emotions – from frustration and worry to excitement and enthusiasm. Each one has an impact on their academic achievement. It is important for parents to recognize the signs of their child’s emotional state and then guide them in finding ways to respond positively and constructively.
If you’re wondering what to look for, here are 5 things:
- Pay attention to changes in your child’s behavior and attitude
- Look for signs of frustration, anxiety, or anger
- Watch for signs of decreased self-esteem such as avoiding activities they used to love
- Observe changes in appetite, sleep patterns or energy levels
- Look for physical signs like headaches, stomach aches or fatigue.
When children are feeling overwhelmed by academic tasks, they can become anxious or even angry. This can lead to avoidance behaviors such as not wanting to participate in class discussions or completing assignments.
When you observe differences in their behavior, contact your child’s teacher and find out how they are behaving at school.
In order to create a positive learning environment at home, it’s important for you to recognize these signs so that you can help your child cope with difficult feelings rather than letting them fester.
You can help them by…
- Talking through their problems with them and listening carefully
- Providing reassurance… show empathy and understanding
- Having them take breaks when needed, and engage in activities they enjoy
- Encouraging them to do deep breathing exercises
- Having them listen to calming music.
It is also important for parents of dyslexic children to be aware of how negative feelings impact performance. Even children who appear confident outwardly may still experience anxiety. When facing challenging assignments or situations, a sense of self-doubt can creep in leading students to feel discouraged and unmotivated which prevents them from reaching their full potential.
You should be mindful of this and offer encouragement when needed so that your child feels supported and less overwhelmed by the task at hand.
Parenting a dyslexic child is indeed an emotional journey with its fair share of ups and downs. You can provide the necessary support to equip your children for success by listening carefully to their needs, being understanding and compassionate, and offering them structure, resources, and assistance.
By understanding how your child’s emotions impact their learning experience, you can help them gain confidence in their abilities and build a strong foundation for long-term success.
I needed these tips this morning as I homeschool my son who has learning disabilities. Have a blessed day.
You are so very welcome, Glenda. I’m happy to help… anytime.
I really appreciate your words about how negativity can impact performance. I don’t have dyslexia AND harmful words bring me down hard, much harder than I might expect. Thanks for the work you do on your blog.
You’re welcome, Julie. So often adults forget how they respond to negative words and situations, but expect children to behave differently or don’t think about it at all.
So informative, I shared to my FB and Twitter page hoping parents of dyslexic children will follow you blog.
Thank you, Martha. I appreciate you.