Top Tips For Creating A Dyslexia-Friendly Study Space
With the summer months just around the corner, it means many students will be entering exam season, which can be a stressful time for every child, especially those with dyslexia. Ensuring your loved one has an organised, supporting and distraction-free learning environment at home to study and revise can transform their education and empower them into their exams and beyond.
How do you create a study space catered to the unique needs of dyslexic learners, though? We thought we would take a closer look…
1. Declutter and organise
The first step to creating a dyslexia-friendly study space is to declutter and organise their existing desk. Having a clutter-free environment significantly reduces distraction and helps to boost their focus, making it far easier to retain information.
Begin by removing any unnecessary items from the study area, ensuring you are only including essential items that they need for their studies. This will help to create a calmer space and ensure everything is easily reachable for them.
2. Optimise lighting
Once you have been able to declutter and organise the space, the next step is to optimise the lighting. Proper lighting is crucial to reduce eye strain and also improve their concentration. While natural light is always the preferred option, if you are not able to place their desk by a window then invest in some adjustable lighting that can be manoeuvred to ensure maximum illumination without causing any glare.
3. Comfortable seating
Comfort is essential when it comes to a dyslexia-friendly learning environment at home, and ergonomic seating will help to support good posture and comfort, making it easier for your child to focus. Opt for a chair that has proper back support and is an appropriate size for the desk, minimising any strain your child might face.
4. Consider your colours
Colour choices might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think about creating a dyslexia-friendly working environment, but the colours we see can have a significant influence on our mood and cognitive performance. Soft and muted tones like blues and greens are particularly calming and can enhance concentration, so incorporating these into the study space through wall paint, furniture and accessories will help you to create a serene environment.
5. Visual tools
Speaking of visual tools, students with dyslexia can benefit greatly from the right visual aids. Tools such as colour-coded folders and labels can help them organise things by subject, aiding in organisation and memory, while large wall calendars and planners are perfect for helping them track assignments and deadlines.
Make sure that you are also incorporating things such as tinted exercise books, which are a vital tool in helping to support reading and comprehension.
6. Create a quiet space
When creating a dyslexia-friendly learning environment, make sure that you position the desk in an area away from noise and other distractions. You should also make sure that you are limiting all non-essential electronic devices during study time, as this will help to ensure that your child can maintain their focus
7. Incorporate assistive technology
While you want to limit their access to non-essential technology, you should focus on incorporating those tools which are designed to support dyslexic learners. One of the most important of these is text-to-speech software, which helps students to overcome reading difficulties by converting written text into spoken words, boosting their comprehension. Options such as the OrCam range or the Iris collection are ideal tools for students.
8. Personalise
Children learn best when they feel comfortable and happy, and as each child is different, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. That’s why you should not forget to tailor the space to suit their preferences and specific needs. Get them involved in the process by allowing them to choose certain elements of the décor and organisation, as this will not only ensure they are happy working from the desk but it also fosters a sense of ownership.
9. Be consistent
Consistency is essential for students with dyslexia, so make sure that you establish a regular study routine that helps to provide them with the structure they need to thrive. Be consistent with your study times, as this helps to create a habit that allows them to better manage their expectations. While
study time is important, so are breaks and rewards. Make sure you incorporate regular breaks to engage in something fun and be sure to provide plenty of positive reinforcement.
10. Sensory considerations
Finally, when creating a dyslexia-friendly workspace, make sure you are being mindful of sensory considerations. For example, for some students, complete silence might be distracting so having some background music will aid their studies. Equally, strong scents or irritating materials can also be a major distraction.
Final thoughts
If you are looking to create the perfect dyslexia-friendly learning environment for your child, these ten steps will help you nurture their education and set them up for educational success. We know how tough it can be, which is why we offer parents a wide range of products that are designed to empower your loved one. Want to find out more? Get in touch today!