6 Proven Strategies for Boosting Self-Esteem in Dyslexic Kids

Support dyslexic students by recognizing their efforts, celebrating strengths, building self-esteem in various areas, reframing failure, validating emotions, and teaching self-advocacy. This article includes six proven strategies for boosting self-esteem in dyslexic kids.

Learning Differences and Self-Esteem

Early struggles in reading and writing defined my elementary school years. I struggled to grasp what seemingly came easily to others. While the challenges I faced in reading and writing were significant, I also struggled to maintain a positive outlook. With healthy self-esteem, your dyslexic students will be more likely to succeed and to tackle the most challenging years of their educational journey with tenacity and resilience. 

The Impact of Teacher and Caregiver Support on Dyslexic Children and their Self-Esteem 

As teachers, parents, and caregivers who interact with children who have learning disabilities and differences, it’s essential to consider the emotional development of the child and the impact their disabilities may have on their emotional state. Your involvement is critical and will impact them for years to come. The following six strategies for boosting self-esteem in dyslexic kids can be used to support their well-being and emotional growth. 

Encourage Growth and Progress

Celebrating accomplishments is terrific, but it’s equally important to let children know you see when they are trying their best and are proud of these efforts, regardless of the outcome. Developing a new skill or achieving a goal takes a lot of hard work and time. Tell children that you see and value the effort they’re putting in. Remember that children with dyslexia or other learning differences often work extremely hard, but their results may not resemble those of their peers. It can be significant to them to acknowledge that you have noticed these efforts. 

Recognize Strengths

In addition to talking about struggles, help children identify their strengths. Everyone has things that feel more natural or easy for them. Identifying strengths gives children the confidence to talk about what they are good at. Guide children to remember these strengths when they feel stuck. 

The three-book series Everyday Adventures with Molly and Dyslexia follows the adventures of a young girl, Molly, and her personified dyslexia, Lexi. Together, they navigate the challenges of dyslexia with creativity and determination, touching on themes of self-advocacy, self-esteem, and personal strengths. Some of the research-backed dyslexic strengths highlighted in series included creativity, problem-solving, material reasoning, empathy, big-picture, narrative, and three-dimensional thinking. Using these books and other real-world examples to illustrate these strengths is an excellent way to enhance their understanding of their unique strengths. 

 Build Self-Esteem in Areas Outside of Reading and Writing

When working with dyslexic students, providing them with educational support is vital. But don’t forget about other areas a child can succeed in. Participating in sports, a club, or other after-school activities can effectively provide a space for the child to build self-esteem outside of the traditional school setting. Additionally, research suggests that interest in the subject matter can play a massive part in the dyslexic child’s success in reading. Are they interested in science? Dinosaurs? Crafts? Construction? Whatever their interest, finding books and reading materials about the things the child is already excited about can be an effective way to engage your reader and build upon their skill set. 

Reframe Failure

Making mistakes and failing is a big part of learning and working toward a goal. And failing can be discouraging. Help children reframe failure by guiding them to see that everyone makes mistakes and that it is essential to learn from failure and try again. Acknowledge and name when you see children persevere and help them see how failure teaches what they should do differently the next time they try. 

Be Honest and Validate Emotions

If a child is frustrated by their dyslexia or other learning differences, the impulse can be to explain that this is a unique positive trait, a superpower, or a gift. Of course, differences often do come with strengths and intelligence in other areas. However, focusing solely on this aspect can invalidate and confuse a child who is having a negative experience. My experience with dyslexia was so different from what some of my teachers were ready to acknowledge. And it was helpful to be allowed to be frustrated. Dyslexia will be challenging even under the best of circumstances. So, letting a child express their frustration could go a long way. Reflecting to them that you see how difficult this is and that it’s okay to feel frustrated or negative about their disability is a great way to start. 

Teach Self-Advocacy

We all need help sometimes. It can be much easier to get that help if we understand how to ask for it. Introduce the concept of self-advocacy and how it can be beneficial. Raising your hand is the best way to ask for help in a classroom setting. But help them understand alternative options as well. They can approach their teachers one-on-one or ask their parents for help at home.

If there is a dyslexic child in your life, you have an opportunity to make a lasting difference. The teachers who had the most impact on my development were the ones who approached me with patience and understanding. By nurturing healthy self-esteem through these strategies for boosting self-esteem in dyslexic kids, they will undoubtedly face their challenges and be better equipped. This foundation will carry them through to adulthood, and you can make it possible.