October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and BBC Teach has put together a free collection of short films and articles about dyslexia. Many are told by children and young people who have dyslexia themselves, which makes them a gentle way to start a conversation at home. See the full BBC collection.
BBC Teach describes dyslexic brains as processing information differently. That brings a pattern of strengths, such as problem-solving, creative thinking and seeing the big picture, alongside challenges with spelling, reading, writing and rote learning.
What is in the collection
- Sophie's Story (ages 7 to 11): a short film about a nine-year-old girl with dyslexia and the ways she finds to do things differently.
- Newsround: Dyslexia, what is it? (ages 6 to 12): an article that follows Georgie, who finds things like song lyrics hard to read.
- Newsround: My Dyslexic Mind (ages 6 to 12): a special presented by 12-year-old Ben, who struggled at school until he found out he had dyslexia.
- Newsround: What is dyslexia?: a short video in which voice actor Hope talks about an animated film about dyslexia she stars in.
- Dancing with dyslexia (secondary age): dyslexic choreographers Charlotte and Elizabeth on how dance changed their lives.
- Dyslexia: Make a difference (for teachers of pupils aged 7 to 14): short films with practical ideas for supporting pupils, including advice from children themselves.
Watching together
Hearing another child describe what reading feels like can help your child put their own experience into words, or simply know they are not the only one. Choose one film that suits their age and watch it side by side.
Afterwards, you could ask:
- Did anything in that film sound like you?
- What helps you when reading or spelling feels hard?
- What are you good at that might surprise people?
Keep it relaxed. One film and a short chat is plenty, and it is fine if your child would rather just watch.
Sharing with school
The Make a difference films are made for teachers. If your child's class teacher or SENCo has not seen them, they are a free and practical starting point. They sit well alongside the British Dyslexia Association's primary schools pack, which we covered in our Dyslexia Awareness Week post.
What this means for families
Dyslexia brings real challenges, and it is also one part of how your child thinks. These films show children with dyslexia finding their own ways through, which can be reassuring for children and parents alike.
If you have questions about your child's reading or spelling, a free call is a good place to start.