Each October, National Dyslexia Week shines a light on the experiences of people with dyslexia and related learning differences. This year’s theme, “Raising the Volume”, reminds us that awareness alone isn’t enough — we must truly listen to children’s voices and understand what school and learning feel like for them.
Allie, our Chair of the National Nanny Association, and a parent of a child with dyslexia and dysgraphia, she has seen firsthand how invisible these challenges can be. Her son was diagnosed at 16, having masked for most of his school life. He worked incredibly hard to keep up, but underneath was a quiet struggle with reading, spelling, and handwriting that had gone unnoticed for years. His story is not unique — many young people compensate so well that their difficulties remain hidden until academic demands increase.
For nannies and carers, recognising and responding to these hidden challenges can make a world of difference.
Understanding Dyslexia and Related Differences
Dyslexia is a specific learning difference that affects how the brain processes written and spoken language. It often impacts reading, writing, spelling, and working memory. It’s not linked to intelligence — in fact, many people with dyslexia are highly creative, strategic, and perceptive thinkers.
There are also related differences that may occur alongside dyslexia:
- Dysgraphia – affects handwriting, fine motor control, and the ability to express thoughts in writing.
- Dyscalculia – affects number sense, sequencing, and mathematical reasoning.
These are sometimes grouped together as specific learning difficulties (SpLDs). Every child’s profile is unique — one may struggle with reading fluency, another with spelling or handwriting, another with maths. What they all need is understanding, patience, and flexible support.
Listening First
Children with dyslexia can experience frustration, embarrassment, and low confidence — especially if they feel misunderstood at school. As nannies and carers, one of the most valuable things we can do is to listen without judgement.
- Ask gentle, open questions: “What part of school feels hardest at the moment?”
- Validate emotions: “That sounds frustrating — you’ve worked really hard on that.”
- Notice signs of masking — children who appear fine but are unusually tired, anxious, or reluctant to read or write.
When children feel emotionally safe, they’re more likely to share what’s really going on — and that’s where meaningful support begins.
Supporting Homework and Reading
Traditional homework tasks can be daunting for a dyslexic child. Try to make learning less about perfection, and more about progress.
- Chunk tasks into shorter sections and take breaks between.
- Encourage the use of assistive tools — text-to-speech software, audiobooks, or speech-to-text dictation.
- Focus on ideas over spelling when helping with written work.
- Read together — alternating paragraphs, or listening to the audio version while following the text.
- Use multi-sensory learning: tracing words in sand, using magnetic letters, or writing on a whiteboard.
- Praise effort and persistence, not just outcomes.
Remember — reading and writing are not the only ways to show understanding. Drawing, speaking, acting out, or building models can all help a dyslexic child express their ideas with confidence.
Why Movement Matters
Movement and learning are closely connected. For many children with dyslexia, physical activity helps focus attention, process information, and manage frustration.
Incorporate movement into the day:
- Take short movement breaks during homework.
- Use action-based learning — hop while spelling words, or use rhythm and clapping to remember sequences.
- Build fine motor strength through play — Lego, threading beads, or arts and crafts can indirectly support handwriting.
- Allow for fidget tools or alternative seating (like wobble cushions) if it helps concentration.
By viewing movement as part of learning, not a distraction from it, nannies can make study time more productive and less stressful.
Building Confidence and Independence
Children with dyslexia often need help rebuilding confidence after years of feeling “different.” You can support this by:
- Celebrating small achievements.
- Helping them identify their strengths — creativity, empathy, problem-solving.
- Teaching self-advocacy — encouraging them to explain what helps them learn best.
- Modelling acceptance: “Everyone’s brain works differently — that’s what makes people interesting.”
Over time, these small acts of encouragement build resilience and a stronger sense of self-worth.
What the British Dyslexia Association Is Campaigning For
The British Dyslexia Association (BDA)’s 2025 campaign, “Set Up for Somebody Else”, highlights how the education system too often fails to meet the needs of dyslexic pupils. The report, based on the voices of over 500 young people, reveals widespread frustration and a call for real change.
The BDA is urging the Department for Education to:
- Introduce universal early screening for dyslexia within the first two years of school.
- Provide mandatory dyslexia training for all teachers.
- Ensure SEND reforms include better support for specific learning difficulties.
Their message is clear — children should not have to adapt to a system designed for “somebody else.”
You can read more about their campaign here: Set Up for Somebody Else – British Dyslexia Association
A Final Thought
As nannies, we are often the quiet advocates in a child’s world — the ones who notice, listen, and adjust. Supporting a child with dyslexia isn’t about “fixing” anything; it’s about helping them discover how they learn best, and reminding them that their differences are also their strengths.
During National Dyslexia Week, let’s keep listening to children, sharing stories, and helping create a world where every learner feels seen, supported, and celebrated.