Category: Literacy Resources

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, a time to lift the voices and stories of children and adults who learn differently. Too often, conversations about dyslexia get caught in perception—that old saying, “perception is reality.” But when it comes to learning differences, clinging to perception alone can do real harm.

Perception tells us a child is lazy, distracted, or just not trying hard enough.
Perception whispers that if a student can speak fluently, surely they can read fluently too.
Perception judges the struggle instead of seeing the learner.

But perception isn’t the whole story.

Shifting from Perception to Perspective

What if, just for a moment, we shelved perception and leaned into perspective?
Perspective is the lived experience of a child who looks at a page and sees letters swimming. It’s the internal voice of a student who dreads being called on to read aloud because the shame cuts deeper than any wrong answer ever could. It’s the perspective of an adult who has carried the weight of undiagnosed dyslexia into the workplace, masking vulnerabilities and hiding brilliance behind exhaustion.

By stepping into their perspective, we begin to understand the courage it takes to walk into school each morning or to sit down at a meeting where words feel like enemies. We see the whole human being, not just their reading scores or spelling mistakes.

Why This Matters

When we focus on perspective, something powerful happens: we teach differently. We teach children how they learn, not how we assume they should learn. We begin to notice their strengths—the creativity, problem-solving, empathy, humor, and resilience that so often outnumber the vulnerabilities.

I’ve spent decades of my life teaching children with dyslexia and advocating for structured, evidence-based literacy instruction. My passion isn’t academic alone—it’s deeply personal. Beyond the classrooms I’ve taught in and the private practice I built, I’ve witnessed the profound impact of dyslexia on my own family. Diagnosis or not, the struggle is real, and so is the social and emotional toll.

The Call of This Month

Dyslexia Awareness Month is not just about raising awareness of a learning difference—it’s about raising compassion. It’s about listening before labeling. It’s about perspective over perception. And most importantly, it’s about ensuring every child has access to instruction that gives them the tools they need, not just to read, but to thrive in school and in life.

When we shift from perception to perspective, we change the story. We see the child for who they are, not for where they stumble. And once we do that, we can unlock the unlimited potential that’s been there all along.

✨ Your turn to reflect:
This month, take a pause. Ask yourself: Am I clinging to perception, or am I open to perspective? The answer may change how you see not only dyslexia, but every learner you encounter.

If you’ve ever wondered why reading doesn’t always “just click” for children—even bright, curious ones—you’re not alone. Professional learning that trains educators in structured literacy and targeted interventions are the keys to unlocking the mystery that surrounds how children learn to read, write and spell. One expert who is making an impact on schools across our country is Dr. Louisa C. Moats. She, among others, have spent decades helping us understand how children really learn to read.

One of the most influential papers, Teaching Reading Is Rocket Science, makes it clear: up to 95% of children can learn to read when given the right kind of instruction. That means teaching phonemic awareness, decoding, and spelling patterns in a structured, systematic way—not guessing at words or relying on pictures. Reading isn’t natural—it’s a skill that must be taught explicitly, step by step.

To ensure teachers have this knowledge, Dr. Moats created LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling), a professional learning program now used widely across the country. LETRS—and other high-quality science of reading training programs—equip educators with the depth of understanding they need to deliver effective instruction in the classroom. There are other reading training programs but teachers will always need parents to be involved and working with their children at home.

That’s where tools like Mighty Doodle® come in. 

While science of reading training gives teachers the “why” and “how,” Mighty Doodle® gives children bite-sized, joyful practice at home, grounded in the same science. Both start from the same foundation: children deserve to be taught in ways that match how they actually learn.

Research-aligned teacher training and Mighty Doodle® aren’t the same—but they share the same belief: every child has the potential to become a confident reader when the adults around them have the right tools.

When schools and families work from the same playbook, children benefit. We see faster progress, stronger confidence, and fewer children slipping through the cracks.

Long before your child heads off to first grade, one of the most powerful ways to support their learning journey is a DIY home makeover. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be expensive, and rather simply requires a little bit of thought and some initial, easy set-up. This home improvement investment is a life changer and the benefits will pay off in dividends as you see your child thrive in your updated home environment. 

In our home, learning isn’t a scheduled event. It’s woven into the fabric of our day through intentional design and gentle routines that spark curiosity and make learning feel natural and joyful. These aren’t grand gestures—they’re small, thoughtful environmental “triggers” that invite exploration, discovery, and connection.

Take our mornings, for instance. Each day begins with a word of the day delivered to our inbox, though you can use an app and/or Siri if that is easier for you. It’s waiting, like a friendly note tucked into our breakfast routine. We learn the word together as we grab our smoothies, toast, or yogurt bowls—building vocabulary and conversation before the day even starts.

Our TV doesn’t shout for attention—one is tucked into a cabinet and the other is in a rest mode, quietly waking with motion that opens up with a screen saver that rotates between calming art and snapshots of our favorite memories. Eliminating the television as a focal point is a subtle shift, but one that turns a potential distraction into a moment of inspiration or reflection.

Instead of a television room, our family room offers bookshelves filled with board games, high-interest magazines, comics, and light reading materials that are easy to pick up and hard to put down. Cozy corners with soft lighting and big pillows call out for pleasure reading, while tables and desks are ready for homework or projects—with supplies organized and within reach.

And when the day calls for movement (which it always should!), outdoor gear is easy to find and use. Helmets, basketballs, chalk, jump ropes—they aren’t buried in a closet. They’re visible, easily accessible and always available. Keeping these things organized and top of mind encourages their use and the care of one’s belongings. 

The result of this little DIY? Learning doesn’t feel like something we have to do. It feels like something we get to do because it’s been built into our home environments in ways that work for an individual family.

By aligning our physical spaces with our values and routines, we’ve created a home that supports wonder, discipline, and creativity—all without the need for constant reminders, screen battles, or nagging. The environment does the inviting. Our habits do the rest.

A few simple questions to consider:

• What’s the first thing your child sees when they wake up or come home from school?
  
• Is your home set up to encourage curiosity, movement, and calm focus?
  
• Can your environment nudge your family toward the kinds of habits you value most?
  

And remember, dear parents with good intentions—this isn’t about perfection and pristine spaces. It’s about creating inviting spaces that bring family members closer to one another and to more learning at home.

If you’ve found little ways to design your space to spark learning, we’d love to hear them. Let’s inspire each other—one cozy reading nook, one word of the day, one joyful habit at a time!

How fresh air, movement, and multisensory play can support reading development in children with learning differences

Why This Matters Now

The post-pandemic screen fatigue is real—for children and grown-ups. More parents and educators are looking for ways  to balance digital learning with real-world experiences. The good news? Outdoor, multisensory learning is especially effective for children with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning differences.

The Brain Science: Movement + Literacy = Magic

Reading is not a natural process; it must be explicitly taught. However, the way we teach it does not have to be confined to a screen or desk. Studies show that movement improves attention, memory, and language development, especially in neurodivergent children.

Nature-based learning engages multiple senses, helping children connect letters and sounds with meaning in deeper ways. According to the American Institutes for Research, outdoor learning environments can lead to increased engagement, improved behavior, and stronger academic outcomes.

Tangible Ways to Take Literacy Outside:

1. Nature Word Hunts

Make phonics fun: hunt for items that start with specific sounds (e.g., “Find something that starts with /s/”).

2. Sidewalk Chalk Spelling

Use movement and color to reinforce sound to letter conversion. 

3. Read Aloud Under the Trees

Listening to audiobooks + reading real books outside = double the joy!

4. Story Paths

Create a story by walking through a park and letting each landmark prompt the next part of the tale.

5. Build Letters with Sticks, Rocks, or Leaves

Building letters is great for multisensory learners and children working on letter-sound correspondence, or understanding which sounds go with which letters.

Why It Matters for Learning Differences

Children with dyslexia and ADHD often thrive with movement, novelty, and multisensory cues. Outdoor learning naturally provides limited structure + freedom—a combination that helps children regulate their mood and retain information. It also boosts self-esteem. In nature, children are not just students—they are explorers, storytellers and problem-solvers. This shift in role can reduce anxiety and increase confidence.

Blending Structure + Freedom

For families using structured tools like Mighty Doodle®, combine 30 minutes of structured app time with 30 minutes of outdoor activity to reinforce skills. Let our program guide your child on the lessons to focus on, and use the outdoors to practice in playful ways.

For example, if a child is working on the “ar” sound, take a nature walk and look for cars, barns, or stars—bringing the lesson to life.

Closing Thought

Off screen does not have to mean off-track. In fact, getting outside might just be one of the best ways to ground literacy in joy, movement, and meaning—especially for children who learn differently. Learning lives in the world. Let’s meet children there!

References:

• American Institutes for Research. (2022). Nature-Rich Learning Environments: Reconnecting Children with Nature.
• Godwin, K., et al. (2016). The Role of Physical Activity in Supporting Early Literacy. Developmental

Science, 19(3), 366-380.

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As a parent, you want to give your child the best tools possible to succeed in school and beyond. One of the most critical skills for early literacy development is mastering sight words, also known as high-frequency words. Sight words like “the,” “she,” and “were” are often not decodable using phonics, but they appear most often in the texts your child encounters. Mastering these words can help your child read more fluently, quickly, and confidently.

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What Are Sight Words for Kids and Why Do They Matter?

Sight words are the words your child will encounter most often in reading and writing. These include words like “the,” “and,” “said,” and “can.” Many sight words cannot be easily sounded out using phonics rules, which is why children need to learn to recognize them instantly.

Why are sight words for kids so important? Here are a few key reasons:

• Frequent appearance: Sight words make up roughly 50-75% of the words in children’s early reading materials. Recognizing them quickly allows for smoother reading.
• Improved fluency: When children can identify these words effortlessly, they free up mental energy to focus on understanding the text.
• Confidence building: Mastering sight words boosts reading speed and reduces frustration, making children feel more capable and eager to read.

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The Science Behind Sight Words and Reading Fluency

Learning sight words for kids isn’t just about memorization — it’s about building automaticity. When children can quickly recognize common words, their brains can focus on decoding unfamiliar words and understanding the story.

Research shows that mastering sight words significantly improves reading fluency. For children who struggle with reading or have learning differences like dyslexia, sight word practice can be particularly beneficial. By reducing the cognitive load required to identify high-frequency words, these children can enjoy reading more.

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Essential Sight Word Lists by Grade Level

To make it easier for you, we’ve compiled common sight word lists based on the Dolch and Fry word lists, two of the most widely used resources in early literacy. Below is a breakdown by grade level:

Kindergarten Sight Words:

• a, all, am, and, are, at, ate, away, be, big, black, blue, brown, but, came, can, come, did, do, down, eat, find, for, four, funny, get, go, good, have, he, help, here, I, in, into, is, it, jump, like, little, look, make, me, must, my, new, no, not, now, on, one, our, out, play, please, pretty, ran, red, ride, run, said, saw, say, see, she, so, soon, that, the, there, they, this, three, to, too, two, under, up, want, was, we, well, went, what, where, white, who, will, with, yellow, yes, you

1st Grade Sight Words:

• after, again, an, any, as, ask, by, could, every, fly, from, give, going, had, has, her, him, his, how, just, know, let, live, may, of, old, once, open, over, put, round, some, stop, take, thank, them, then, think, walk, were, when

2nd Grade Sight Words:

• always, around, because, been, before, best, both, buy, call, cold, does, don’t, fast, first, five, found, gave, goes, green, its, made, many, off, or, pull, read, right, sing, sit, sleep, tell, their, these, those, upon, us, use, very, wash, which, why, wish, work, would, write, your

3rd Grade Sight Words:

• about, better, bring, carry, clean, cut, done, draw, drink, eight, fall, far, full, got, grow, hold, hot, hurt, if, keep, kind, laugh, light, long, much, myself, never, only, own, pick, seven, shall, show, six, small, start, ten, today, together, try, warm

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Sight Word Activities for Practicing at Home

Learning sight words for kids doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Here are some fun and engaging sight word games and other ways to practice:

1. Flashcard Sight Word Games

• Quick draw: Hold up a flashcard, and your child races to say the word first.
• Scavenger hunt: Hide sight word cards around the house and have your child find and read them.

2. Hands-On Learning

• Use sensory materials like sand or playdough to write out sight words.
• Practice “sky writing” by tracing words in the air with a finger.

3. Sight Word Bingo

One of the most engaging sight word activities is playing bingo. First, create a bingo card with sight words. Then, call out words, and have your child mark them as they listen. Offer a small prize for completing a row.

4. Storytime Focus

During bedtime stories, ask your child to point out sight words on the page. For added fun, count how many times they can spot a specific word.

5. Tech Tools

Explore apps and programs to make learning interactive and screen-friendly. Mighty Doodle® teaches how all children learn and uses evidence-based methods to help children in 1st through 4th grades learn to read and write.

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How to Track Progress and Celebrate Success With Sight Words for Kids

Tracking your child’s progress can keep them motivated. Use a simple checklist or chart to mark off mastered words. Celebrate milestones with:

• Stickers or badges
• A special treat or outing
• Verbal praise: “You’re doing an amazing job!”

Consistency and positive reinforcement go a long way in making learning enjoyable.

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How to Address Common Challenges With Sight Word Practice for Kids

If your child struggles with sight word practice, don’t worry — this is normal! Here are some tips to overcome challenges:

• Keep sessions short: Practice for 5-10 minutes at a time to avoid burnout.
• Focus on small batches: Work on 3-5 words at a time before moving on.
• Reinforce daily: Incorporate sight words into everyday activities like grocery shopping or car rides.

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Encouraging Sight Word Mastery With Mighty Doodle®

Sight words are everywhere and a critical piece of the literacy puzzle that Mighty Doodle® is solving. Mastering high-frequency words is a journey, and with your support and the help of Mighty Doodle®, your child will build the confidence and skills they need to become a fluent reader. 

Ready to get started? Save Our Free Sight Word Lists and Start Practicing Today!

For more tips and resources on early literacy, explore our blog for articles on reading strategies, phonics, and more. Let’s make reading a joyful adventure for your child!

Incorporate these engaging reading activities for dyslexic kids into your routine at home.

1. Embrace Multisensory Learning for Dyslexia

One of the most effective ways to help children with dyslexia learn to read is by engaging multiple senses in the learning process. Multisensory learning involves using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (movement-based) methods to reinforce reading skills. This approach helps children struggling with dyslexia by creating stronger neural connections, which makes it easier for them to retain information.

How to Embrace Multisensory Learning for Dyslexia at Home

• Sand tray letter tracing: Fill a shallow tray with sand or salt and have your child trace letters or words with their finger. This exercise provides both a tactile and visual experience, which helps them connect the shapes of letters with their sounds.
• Clapping syllables: Break words down into syllables and clap for each one. For example, for the word “elephant,” you would clap three times: “el-e-phant.” This activity helps children build phonemic awareness, which is an essential skill for decoding words.

2. Make Reading Aloud a Daily Habit

Reading aloud to your child is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help improve their reading skills. When you read out loud to your child, you are exposing them to fluent reading and introducing them to new vocabulary. This exercise also lets your child focus on comprehension, and takes the pressure off having to decode every word.

Tips for Making Read-Aloud Time Fun

• Use different voices for characters: Get creative with characters’ voices to make the story more engaging. This strategy adds an element of fun and helps maintain your child’s interest in reading.
• Ask interactive questions: While reading, ask questions like, “what do you think will happen next?” or “how do you think this character feels?” Asking questions encourages your child to think critically about the story and improves their comprehension skills.

3. Leverage Audiobooks for Reinforcement

Audiobooks can be a game-changer for children who are struggling with dyslexia. By removing the frustration of decoding written text, audiobooks allow children to enjoy rich language and stories without the pressure of reading every word. This method helps them build listening comprehension and exposes them to new vocabulary in a relaxed setting.

Easy Ways to Incorporate Audiobooks

• Listen during car rides: Use travel time as an opportunity for your child to listen to audiobooks. This can turn an ordinary car ride into a learning experience.
• Bedtime listening: Instead of reading a book before bed, try winding down with an audiobook. Listening to an audiobook before bedtime reinforces reading skills in a calming, enjoyable way.

4. Turn Reading into a Game

For many children with dyslexia, reading can feel like hard work. Turning reading practice into a game can take away some of that pressure and help your child enjoy the process more. Games not only add an element of fun to reading practice, but they also provide motivation for repeated practice, which is crucial for building literacy skills.

Fun Reading Games You Can Try

• Sight word bingo: Create a bingo board filled with common sight words. As you read together or go about your day, your child can mark off words they recognize. Offer a small prize for getting bingo to keep it exciting. 
• Reading apps: Explore educational apps like Mighty Doodle that gamify reading and offer interactive ways to practice phonics, sight words, and comprehension. Just be sure to choose apps that are based on the science of reading and align with your child’s learning needs.

5. Celebrate The Small Wins

Reading can feel like an uphill battle to children who struggle with dyslexia. That’s why it’s important to celebrate every small victory along the way. Positive reinforcement can go a long way in building confidence and motivating your child to keep practicing.

Ideas for Positive Reinforcement

• Reading achievement chart: Create a chart where your child can track their reading accomplishments. Whether it’s finishing a book, learning new words, or reading for 15 minutes, every step counts!
• Special rewards: Consider offering small rewards, such as an extra 10 minutes of screen time or a favorite treat, for meeting reading goals. Rewards can serve as positive motivation, making the learning process more enjoyable.

Reading can feel like an uphill battle to children who struggle with dyslexia. That’s why it’s important to celebrate every small victory along the way. Positive reinforcement can go a long way in building confidence and motivating your child to keep practicing.

Wrapping Up: Engaging Reading Activities for Dyslexic Kids

Every child progresses at their own pace, so stay positive, celebrate the small wins, and keep fostering a love for reading through engaging and supportive activities. With your guidance and these dyslexia reading strategies to improve reading comprehension, your child will continue to make strides toward becoming a confident and capable reader.