By: Monica Utsey
I know so many families whose children struggle with reading or some sort of visual disability, that I thought a review of the Dyslexia Games program would be a great resource for parents. Creating art to improve reading is a brilliant and fun concept, especially for children with Dyslexia.
My son, Lionheart, enjoying Dyslexia Games.
According to experts, when children diagnosed with Dyslexia learn to read, brain scans show right brain activity. Consequently, traditional phonics-based programs may not work for struggling readers. Simply put, most phonics programs are left-brain based and Dyslexic readers learn differently. According to Dyslexia therapy experts, teaching a child with Dyslexia to read requires a parent or teacher to get creative with 3D images, art, logic, creative thinking games, manipulatives and other hands on techniques.
When I asked my son, LionHeart, to give the worksheet a try he stomped over to his table with lips poked out. Because the worksheets are fun and appeal to a right-brain learner's creative side, struggles quickly fade away. Once he got started, he couldn't stop.
Learning to Read Right Brain Style
A mother's love and determination to help her own daughter is how Dyslexia Games was born. Frustrated with her daughter's slow movement in reading, Sarah Brown began researching everything she could about Dyslexia, current therapies being used and brain development options. Unable to afford costly therapy, like most trailblazing homeschool moms, she created her own program. The program transformed her daughter in a matter of weeks, helping her improve in reading and handwriting. In fact, Brown's daughter even illustrated a book, A Day Like Tomorrow. Brown credits the program with helping her develop her artistic skills.
Sarah and her dyslexic daughter Anna Brown (Anna drew these animals at age nine).
How Does It Work?
Dyslexia Games use visual art and puzzle exercises designed for children who think visually. The workbooks start off with art, puzzle games and 3D drawings. When the child is working on the games, the right brain is activated. Gradually, the art and puzzle games become symbols, letters and numbers. Finally, these games are transformed into reading exercises, and according to the website, over the course of 2-3 months, the child is now using the right brain to read.
