Are you looking to create a more inclusive and supportive classroom for your students? Having the right environment helps all young learners, but particularly those with dyslexia, empowering them achieve their best and foster their confidence and enthusiasm for learning.
However, how do you create a dyslexia-friendly classroom? We thought we would take a closer look at a few simple strategies that can help you transform your space and set your students up for success.
1. Create a visual and structured environment
The first thing to do is ensure you have a visually appealing and structured classroom. A well-organised space can help students with dyslexia navigate their learning space more confidently and make them feel more comfortable.
To establish your space, start by clearly labelling all key areas, materials, and resources using both words and pictures. This dual approach will help enhance recognition and understanding, making it easier for your students to locate what they need.
You should also make sure you minimise visual clutter to avoid overwhelming learners by using neutral backgrounds on walls and bulletin boards and prioritising displaying essential information only. Consider utilising visual timetables with clear charts, calendars and symbols, as this can help to reduce uncertainty about daily activities and ensure your pupils always know what to expect.
One top tip is to use colour coding for timetables or resources to categorise subjects or activities, for example using blue for maths and green for science.
2. Provide multisensory learning opportunities
Multisensory teaching methods are highly effective for pupils with dyslexia, as they help to engage multiple senses simultaneously, reinforcing their understanding. To help your students, incorporate hands-on activities into your lessons, such as using manipulatives, undertaking experiments or encouraging role-playing exercises as these will help pupils to interact with the content and boost their learning.
Pair visual aids (such as diagrams, charts, or flashcards) with spoken instructions for better comprehension. For younger learners, integrating tactile elements such as tracing letters in sand, using modelling clay or drawing shapes with finger paints adds a fun, physical dimension to learning.
It is important to remember that the more senses a student engages with during a lesson, the more likely the information will stick with them.
Remember: The more senses engaged during a lesson, the more likely the information will stick.
3. Adapt reading and writing tasks
Traditional reading and writing tasks can often feel daunting for pupils with dyslexia, so offer them alternatives that can make all the difference. Audiobooks are an excellent tool for enjoying literature without the strain of decoding words, while speech-to-text software can assist with written assignments, enabling pupils to focus on expressing ideas rather than wrestling with spelling or handwriting.
Other additional ways you can support their literacy include:
- Break tasks into smaller, manageable chunks.
- Allow extra time for completing written work.
- Encourage the use of graphic organisers to structure thoughts visually before writing.
By making these adaptations, you’ll not only reduce frustration but also give pupils with dyslexia the chance to demonstrate their full potential.
4. Use dyslexia-friendly resources
The right resources can make a world of difference so look for books printed with larger fonts, wider spacing, and pastel-coloured pages. All of these features can transform a student’s education by reducing visual stress and making reading more comfortable. For digital content, ensure materials are compatible with screen readers and use fonts like Arial, Verdana, or other dyslexia-friendly typefaces to ease the pressure on students.
You should also consider adding classroom aids such as coloured overlays for reading, highlighter strips, or tinted rulers to assist with line tracking. Even simple adjustments, like printing worksheets on cream or pastel paper instead of white, can significantly improve readability.
5. Foster a supportive atmosphere
Above all, though, make sure you are creating a safe, nurturing environment where pupils feel valued and understood. Start by normalising mistakes as an essential part of the learning journey, as this helps to reduce the pressure to achieve perfection and encourages a growth mindset. While doing this, make sure you offer plenty of positive reinforcement, celebrating both progress and effort, no matter how small.
Encourage collaboration by incorporating group work where pupils can learn from and support each other and teach the entire class about the challenges some peers may face, as this helps to foster empathy and understanding. When pupils see a supportive teacher and compassionate classmates, they’re more likely to feel confident and motivated to try their best.
Start creating your classroom today
Creating a dyslexia-friendly classroom is all about building an environment that embraces diversity in learning and empowers pupils to reach their full potential. By integrating visual structure, multisensory teaching, adaptable tasks, and dyslexia-friendly resources into your school, you can significantly enhance the learning experience of all students.
At The Dyslexia Shop, we’re passionate about helping educators and parents create accessible learning environments, which is why we offer an extensive range of resources designed to support learners at every stage of their education. Want to find out more? Get in touch today, and our team will be happy to help!