Supporting Children with Dyslexia at Glenwood

At Glenwood Primary School, we understand that every child learns differently. Some children may experience difficulties with reading, spelling, writing, memory, or processing information, which can sometimes be signs of dyslexia. Early support can make a significant difference in helping children build confidence and succeed.

If you have concerns about your child

If you notice your child finding literacy tasks particularly challenging, or if you are worried about their progress, we encourage you to get in touch as soon as possible.

Your first point of contact should be your child’s class teacher, who can discuss your concerns, share observations, and explain the support already in place in school.

If further support is needed, you may also contact our SENCo, Mrs Leith, or Assistant SENCo, Miss Heaney, who work closely with families to identify needs and plan the best support for each child.

You can contact school by:

📞 Telephone: 028 9032 8341
✉ Email: info@glenwood.belfast.ni.sch.uk

We believe that working in partnership with parents is the best way to support children.

How parents can support at home

There are many simple and effective ways to support your child’s literacy development at home:

• Read together regularly – even 10 minutes a day can build confidence and vocabulary.
• Use audiobooks so your child can enjoy stories without the pressure of decoding every word.
• Play word games such as rhyming games, matching sounds, or simple spelling games.
• Break homework into smaller steps to make tasks more manageable.
• Use multi-sensory approaches such as tracing letters in sand, using magnetic letters, or clapping syllables.
• Focus on strengths and celebrate effort as well as achievement.
• Keep routines consistent to help with organisation and memory.

Useful signs to look out for

While every child is different, some common indicators may include:

• difficulty remembering letter sounds
• slow reading progress
• problems blending sounds into words
• inconsistent spelling
• avoiding reading or writing tasks
• difficulty following multi-step instructions

Having some of these difficulties does not necessarily mean a child is dyslexic, but it may indicate they need extra support.

Useful Links for Parents

• British Dyslexia Association (BDA)  
• Made By Dyslexia 
• BBC Bitesize – Reading and Spelling Support 

At Glenwood, our aim is to ensure every child feels supported, understood, and encouraged to reach their full potential.