Science of Reading

Developmental dyslexia is a common learning disorder that you may have heard of and may arguably be the most prevalent learning disability today. In this post, we will be learning more about the whats (what is dyslexia, and what is the prevalence of dyslexia in Singapore), and the hows of dyslexia (how does dyslexia manifest, and how does dyslexia impact children). Afterwards, we will delve into available resources and support for children with dyslexia in Singapore.

What is Dyslexia?

Dyslexia is a learning disability that specifically impedes a person’s ability to read and/or write. Simply put, it is ‘an unexpected difficulty in reading in an individual who has the intelligence to be a much better reader’ (Wu, 2022)

Dyslexia is characterized by the following aspects:

1. Brain-based origins: Studies have suggested that there are differences in the structure and functional activation of reading-related brain regions when comparing readers with dyslexia against typical readers.
2. Hereditary in nature: A child with a parent that has dyslexia has a risk of 40-60% of developing dyslexia (Schumacher et al., 2007).
3. Life-long condition: There is no ‘cure’ for dyslexia, but the effects of dyslexia can be mitigated with the right interventions and support.

(Dyslexia Organization Kenya, 2022)

Prevalence of Dyslexia in Singapore

In Singapore, the prevalence of dyslexia is estimated to be within the international range of 3% to 10% (Dyslexia, 2021). This underscores the importance of raising awareness and understanding about dyslexia within the Singaporean community. There are available resources in Singapore for individuals in dyslexia, which we will cover in the later part of this post.

Symptoms of Dyslexia in Children

1. Dyslexia primarily affects how the brain processes written and spoken language, often making it challenging for individuals to read fluently and accurately. Children with dyslexia may display delays in developmental language milestones i.e., language acquisition, in terms of speaking and comprehending spoken language. Some challenges that children with dyslexia may face are (Roitsch & Maria, 2019):Reading: difficulties in decoding words, word recognition, comprehension of written text.
2. Spelling: difficulties in spelling words correctly, which may impact their written communication skills.
3. Phonological awareness: difficulties in identifying and manipulating the sounds in spoken aspects of language.
4. Writing: difficulties in written expression, leading to problems in sentence structure, grammar, and overall composition.

Impact on Children

Dyslexia can have a profound impact on a child’s academic performance, self-esteem, and overall well-being. It can lead to frustration, anxiety, and a sense of inadequacy, especially in a traditional school setting where reading and writing play a central role in learning. Without proper support and understanding, children with dyslexia may struggle to reach their full potential and may experience challenges in various aspects of their lives.

Supporting Children with Dyslexia

As a parent, there are several ways to support a child with dyslexia: (i) identifying signs early and seeking appropriate help, (ii) emotional support, or (iii) enrolment in programs specifically designed to support individuals with dyslexia (Roitsch & Maria, 2019).

Below are some support programs offered in Singapore:

1. Programs provided by the Dyslexia Association of Singapore, such as the Main Literacy Programme for primary and secondary school students.
2. Learning Support Programme by the Ministry of Education (MOE) for Primary 1-2 students.
3. School-based Dyslexia Remediation Programme by MOE for Primary 3-4 students.

Lastly, consider exploring resources such as audiobooks, assistive technology, and multisensory learning materials (check out our blog for posts on tips and reading recommendations!).

Conclusion

Understanding dyslexia and its impact on children is crucial for parents to provide the necessary support and resources for their child’s success. By recognizing the signs of dyslexia, seeking early intervention, and creating a supportive environment, parents can empower their children to thrive academically and emotionally. With the right support, individuals with dyslexia can develop their strengths, overcome challenges, and achieve their full potential.

References

Dyslexia. (2021). Dyslexia. Moe.gov.sg; MOE. https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/20210104-dyslexia

‌Roitsch, J., & Maria, S. (2019). An Overview of Dyslexia: Definition, Characteristics, Assessment, Identification, and Intervention. ResearchGate; Science Publishing Group. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337039884_An_Overview_of_Dyslexia_Definition_Characteristics_Assessment_Identification_and_Intervention

Schumacher, J., Hoffmann, P., Schmäl, C., Schulte-Körne, G., & Nöthen, M. M. (2007). Genetics of dyslexia: the evolving landscape. Journal of Medical Genetics, 44(5), 289–297. https://doi.org/10.1136/jmg.2006.046516

What is dyslexia? (2022, April 7). Dyslexia Organization Kenya. https://www.dyslexiakenya.org/blog/what-is-dyslexia/

Wu, C.-Y. (2022, August 1). What do we know about Dyslexia in Our Learners. Child and Human Development, Life@NIE SG^®. https://nie.edu.sg/chd/topics/special-education/dyslexia

Home. (2024, January 29). Dyslexia Association of Singapore. https://das.org.sg/

 

Written by: Keval

Edited by: Serena and Michelle

 

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Have you ever wanted to start writing your own journal? Or maybe you already have one? Regardless, this post will give you some tips on how to start (or continue) your very own journal. But first, why should you write a journal?

Why Write a Journal?

Writing journals can be very useful! Regardless of the topic, journal writing helps with writing and communication skills. Looking back on your journal entries after a while is one way you can see how you have progressed (Hipple, 1985). In fact, journal writing could be more effective in helping you learn a language than lessons where your teacher is leading you (Haley-James, 1982).

Furthermore, journal writing can allow you to process and understand your emotions (Hipple, 1985). By writing about what makes you happy, sad, angry, or scared, your journal becomes a safe space for you to let out your emotions, learn more about yourself and how to deal with these big feelings (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Learning about emotions for kids (Splash Learn, 2023)

When you dedicate a fixed time to write in your journal, it becomes a fun activity you can look forward to (Hipple, 1985). It is your time and place to be creative and free. Over time, journaling can help you become a more confident person (Jones & East, 2010)!

How to Write a Journal

1. Make journaling fun for yourself. Sit in your favourite chair, get a notebook that you like, use your favourite colour pencil, and paste fun stickers in your journal to make journaling a fun experience!
2. The most important thing to remember when you start your journal is that nothing will be marked as correct or wrong. It is your space to create anything you like. (Yes, this means you can invent your own grammar and spelling rules if you like!) This is because the purpose of your journal is to express your ideas and feelings, so the focus should be on expressing yourself rather than how neatly you write or how structured your sentences are. 

3. Follow your own style. Your journal entries do not have to follow any fixed template or instructions if you do not want to. You can write in any style you like, whether it be drawings, writing in sentences, writing a poem, or even a combination (Figure 2).
4. If you find it difficult to start, follow a template. For example, you can begin by deciding on what topic you wish to write about, such as a family member or friend, or about what happened today at home or in school. If you still feel stuck, you could find a notebook with a template, such as one of these:

 

Figure 2. Example of Journal Writing. (Taylor, 2023)

Figure 3. Example of a writing template. (Sunny Day Family, 2020)

Figure 4. Example of a writing template. (Evans, n.d.)

Conclusion

I hope you are excited to start writing your very own journal! Get a notebook and a pencil (or pen, colour pencil, or marker), and start writing today. Remember, everything you want to write is valuable, and there is no right or wrong for writing in your journal. Have fun!

References

Evans, S. (n.d.). February writing journal prompts for kids. Fantastic fun and learning. https://www.fantasticfunandlearning.com/february-writing-journal-prompts-kids.html

Haley-James, S. M. (1982). When are children ready to write? Language Arts, 59(5), 312-319. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41404044

Hipple, M. L. (1985). Journal writing in kindergarten. Language Arts, 62(3), 255-261. https://www.jstor.org/stable/41405609

Jones, J., & East, J. (2010). Empowering primary writers through daily journal writing. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 24(2), 112-122. https://doi.org/10.1080/02568541003635151

Splash Learn. (2023, November 15). 10 best emotional regulation activities for kids. https://www.splashlearn.com/blog/emotional-regulation-activities-for-kids/

Sunny Day Family. (2020, March 24). Free printable daily writing journal for kids. https://www.sunnydayfamily.com/2020/03/daily-writing-journal-for-kids.html

Taylor, M. (2023, February 16). Encourage kids to write a journal (+ideas to get started). Imagination soup. https://imaginationsoup.net/encourage-kids-start-writing-journal-how-start/

Written by: Claire

Edited by: Serena and Michelle