The Dyslexia Friendly Classroom
What is a dyslexia friendly classroom? The simplest explanation would be that this is a classroom that considers individual differences in the way children learn and teaches each child in a way that facilitates their development and growth to the best of their potential. The Dyslexia Friendly Classroom is one in which all children – not only those with dyslexia – are able to learn and thrive.
The BDA in partnership with the SpLD Trust have developed free materials for teacher training as part of a project funded by the Department for Education. These materials include a PowerPoint (of around 2 hours’ duration), teaching notes, and checklists covering the signs of dyslexia. The PowerPoint training includes:
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How to spot a dyslexic child in the classroom;
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How to teach in a dyslexia friendly way in the classroom;
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When to signpost for further possible intervention and assessment.
You can access these materials in the Initial Teacher Training section at http://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/about/campaigns .
In her short talk, SEN: Teaching and Class Sizes, Anastasia de Waal, discusses making classrooms more effective for children with SEN.
For a range of resources for educators, including an abridged copy of the BDA Dyslexia Friendly Schools Good Practice Guide, go to the BDA website.
The full version of the BDA Dyslexia Friendly Schools Good Practice Guide is available for purchase at the BDA store.
For further tips on how to create a dyslexia friendly classroom, see the following liks: -
For advice and information on the acoustic properties of classrooms, see the MESH Guide to Acoustic accessibility.
