Dyslexia and holidays

The holidays are approaching, and the question arises: should you have your dysorthographic child work so that they don’t lose what they have learned? Or should you instead let them rest? The right answer is often somewhere in between. Here is how to combine rest, enjoyment and keeping up learning. Rest first, learning gently.

First, rest

For a dysorthographic child, the school year is exhausting. They have made far more effort than the others. The holidays are an essential time for recovery. The year has been exhausting.

Give them time to do nothing, play, see their friends and do activities they enjoy. These moments recharge their batteries and strengthen their confidence. These moments are precious.

A rested child will approach the new term in much better conditions. The return to school will be calmer. See dysorthographia and fatigue.

Is a holiday workbook needed

Standard holiday workbooks are not always suited to dysorthographic children. They can be experienced as an extension of school, with the same difficulties and frustrations. These workbooks are not always suitable.

If you use one, choose one suited to their level, and limit yourself to a few pages a week, at a time when they are available. Moderation is essential.

It is often better to favour more playful and more natural activities. Other activities are more suitable.

Reading for pleasure

The holidays are the ideal time to read for pleasure, without constraint. Let your child choose their reading: comics, magazines, novels, non-fiction. The holidays are ideal for reading.

Visits to the library, bedtime reading and audiobooks on the road keep the connection with the written word alive without effort. These moments are enjoyable.

See reading to improve spelling. Reading remains a pleasure.

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Writing every day

The holidays offer many opportunities to write naturally: a travel diary, postcards to family, a packing list, a holiday journal. There are plenty of opportunities to write.

These writings have meaning for the child, and are not corrected. They keep the habit of writing alive, with enjoyment. These writings have meaning.

See writing every day. The pleasure of writing returns.

Games

Board games, word games in the car and riddles are playful ways to keep skills going during the holidays. Games maintain what has been learned.

They work on spelling, vocabulary and memory without seeming to. They work without appearing to.

See spelling games. Enjoyment is guaranteed.

Speech and language therapy during the holidays

Speech and language therapy sessions often pause during the summer holidays. This break can be beneficial: it allows the child to take a breather and consolidate what they have learned. This break is often beneficial.

The orthophoniste can give you a few ideas for light activities to do over the summer, if you wish. A few ideas are enough.

See speech and language therapy. Rest is also part of the treatment.

Preparing for the new term

In the last days of the holidays, you can prepare for the new term gently: returning to a regular sleep routine, getting things ready, talking about the new school year. The return is prepared gently.

If your child is changing school or year group, prepare the handover of their PAP and plan to meet the teachers. Anticipation helps a great deal.

See PAP and dysorthographia. A well-prepared return is calmer.

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Questions that keep coming up

Should a dys child work during the holidays ?

A little, in a playful and light way, but rest comes first. Reading for pleasure, short pieces of writing and games are enough. Rest remains the priority.

Is the holiday workbook useful ?

It can be, if it is suited to the child and used in moderation. Playful activities are often more effective. Playful activities are often more effective.