The biggest mistake all parents do is to misunderstand their kids, every single day. When a child is unable to pay attention to learning new things or is unable to memorize what he learns at school, he is labeled as "lazy", "stubborn", "inattentive" or the one with "attitude". Before we label kids, we need to dig deeper into the problem and offer help. Dyslexia is one such condition that is very often mistaken and the kid is reprimanded or beaten up every now and then. The inability to understand language, sing rhyming words, complete sentences, and get confused with numbers is exactly what dyslexia is. Every 1 kid among 100 shows signs of this disorder but the condition is often corrected as the kid grows up. A few cases grow well into adulthood, toppling the individual's life.
Many psychiatrists say, if dyslexia is identified in the early stages, it can be rectified by at least 80% if not fully.
Toddlers and preschoolers undergo sea changes every day and it is extremely difficult to spot a disorder. But as parents, it is your duty to ensure the child is on the right track. Take a look at the earliest warning signs of dyslexia seen in preschoolers
- By the age of two, most toddlers will have learned 20 to 25 words that are used daily by the family members. Though some of them sound very clear, some kids cannot pronounce them properly. If your preschooler says "Aminal" instead of "Animal", you need to rectify it. In spite of repeated correction if he still has a problem saying it the right way, make a note of it.
- Rhymes are the easiest way to teach language and expression for toddlers. Rhyming words like a jug, mug, and thug are a cakewalk for them. Dyslexia children find it extremely difficult to memorize rhyming words and often fumble while singing. They can't even make up their own rhymes and stop when you ask what comes next. It is advisable that you mention this to your pediatrician.
- Similarly, numbers are great puzzles for a dyslexic child. They just cannot remember what comes after 3, simple questions like how much is 6 1 or how much is 1 x 1.
- Directions like right-left, come here, go there, look up or down are very tough too. The only reason behind this being their inability to hear and grasp the command. Their auditory units do not send signals to the brain to process information. Even if they hear, they only catch a few words and it becomes difficult for them to respond correctly.
- Saying apple for orange, red for green, bike for car, sister for a brother, and fork for a spoon is another warning sign seen in dyslexic children. They are very poor at memorizing names and get confused very easily. Their brains do not attach correct pictures for the names, hence this struggle.
All these red flags in a preschooler's development might appear silly. Some kids say wrong words or act like that just for fun. If it is the same case always, then it is time to see your child's pediatrician and get it rectified.
How You Can Help Your Dyslexic Preschooler?
Parents and siblings play a key role in helping kids with this disorder. Though it is not easy, you can pay close attention to their condition and ensure it doesn't aggravate.
- Repeatedly teach them if they are wrong. Be extremely patient and keep on repeating till you see little improvement.
- Never be rude to the child. It is not the kid's fault to behave this way. Love and personal care can be of immense help.
- Do not poke fun at him for being so. Mocking a kid only worsens his condition and he will stay away from making progress.
- Motivate him to learn new things and let him come up with his own stories and language. One day he will definitely surprise you.