Written by Brett Braza, DSAW’s Marketing & Communications Intern
Looking for tips on helping to teach your child with Down syndrome how to read? We know that while this is an exciting time, it may come with challenges too! Check out the resources below to help lead you on your journey. Have fun!!
Reading, practicing flashcards, or downloading educational computer programs for your child are excellent ways for individuals with Down syndrome to practice repetition and gain familiarity with the alphabet.
Having fun at Story Time!
When searching for a book to read to your child, look for reading materials with colorful, engaging images and limited amounts of text. This way, children can finish feeling excited about the experience and are not overwhelmed by all the text on the page. A child seeing you or others read will also give encouragement to them to “mimic” you and try reading on their own.
DSAW offers Littles Story Time at the state office, available for children ages 0-6 to come join! Littles Story Time is held on the first and third Thursday of each month from 10:30am-11:30am. There are frequent self advocate guests to read a book or two, and this is an excellent way to introduce your loved one to reading!
Flashcards, like books, are another effective way to engage your child. From phonemes to letters to individual words, there are flashcards for any level of reading level. Through repetition of sounds, children are able to work up to reading words and ultimately sentences. Through repetition, children begin associating pictures of objects with sounds and words! Here is a website at which you can print free flashcards from a number of different categories, including phonics and sight words.
There are many excellent websites and computer programs that aid learning too! Special Reads is a high-interest reading program that is designed to engage readers right away. Through Special Reads, you can purchase different bundles at different levels and categories. Visit https://specialreads.com to learn more.
Voice Dream is a computer application that translates any digital text to speech. Being able to see words while synchronized with speeches improves understanding and conception. Voice Dream also has apps for writing and text recognition. The program is designed for anyone! Visit https://www.voicedream.com to learn more.
High Noon Books is a website specifically intended for students who are reading below the reading level for their grade. This program gives recommendations of books at each grade level for all interests and subjects. In each book, there is large emphasis on the most common words of the English language to increase exposure and chances of retaining their meaning. Learn more at their website.
We hope these resources help you and your child with reading! Have faith in your child’s abilities and celebrate their achievements, both big and small! Good luck!
Cicerchia, Meredith, and University of Nottingham. “5 Tips for Teaching Children with Down Syndrome to Read.” Touch-Type Read and Spell (TTRS), 1 June 2019, www.readandspell.com/us/teaching-children-with-down-syndrome-to-read.
