Mathematics and dyslexia at P level 4

More than half of children who have dyslexia also have dyscalculia (a comparable difficulty with numbers). The ways to tackle dyscalculia difficulties are similar to those for dyslexia

Begin by reading the information on challenges faced by children with dyslexia and dyscalculia across the curriculum and at all levels, plus the suggestions for inclusion.

Children learn early mathematical concepts through practical activities, so the dyslexic child does not find maths as hard as English or other written subjects, in the early stages

The difficulties of dyslexia have more impact on maths when there are abstract concepts, sequences and theories to be learnt or charts, graphs and tables to be tackled, largely at secondary school

The additional challenges for a dyslexic child working at P level 4 in maths are:

• Copying the sounds of new words, remembering them and their meanings, and being able to count objects in an organised, systematic fashion
• Orientating symbols and numbers and distinguishing between numbers such as 6 and 9, 2 and 5, 1 and 7, 3 and 8
• Poor organisational abilities which create problems in counting objects or sorting into sets
• Problems using charts and tables, such as a visual timetable with days of the week, unless made very memorable
• Difficulty remembering instructions

 You can:

• Use a multi-sensory, approach, reinforcing content and new vocabulary. As with all subjects, dyslexic children need to be reminded of what they have recently learnt before new work can build on previous knowledge
• Support new vocabulary so that concepts such as before and after are not confused. Help the child recognise numerals and distinguish between pairs of numerals (6 and 9) by saying a short rhyme as you write the numbers
• Use over-learning to help retain and develop number recognition, and play games based on hunting or matching the number (snap)
• Try making playdough or pastry numbers and writing numbers in lots of different media such as paint or glitter pens

Now you might like to look:

• Mathematics and dyslexia and P level 5