Celebrating Effort: Empowering Students with Dyslexia
“Praise should not be treated as a rationed item. A child with dyslexia will receive their fair share of criticism.” -Dr. Sally Shaywitz
In order to make students with dyslexia or learning disabilities feel seen, validated, and motivated, their painstaking effort taken in almost every subject area in school must be recognized by their teachers. Aside from parents/carers, teachers are the most impactful adults in their students’ lives, so creating an inclusive, thriving space will have lifelong, long-term positive effects on students.
The Overwhelming Challenges Faced by Students with Dyslexia
For students with dyslexia, the simple act of decoding words, comprehending text, and organizing thoughts becomes a laborious and frustrating process. Imagine struggling to make sense of letters and words that seem to jumble up before your eyes. This is the reality for students with dyslexia, and it takes a tremendous amount of effort to overcome these challenges. As teachers, we must work to understand the magnitude of their struggles and not to compare their final products to other kids’.
Schools Prioritize Final Products at the Expense of the Effort
When we measure a success based on visible output, we may miss the immense effort that students with dyslexia pour into their work. They may spend countless hours, both inside and outside the classroom, battling their reading and writing tasks. Yet, their efforts may not always produce the same results as their peers. This relentless comparison can crush their spirit, diminish their self-esteem, and cause them to question their own abilities.
The Transformative Power of Empathy and Recognition
To create a truly inclusive classroom, we must embrace empathy as the driving force behind our teaching practices. We need to go beyond simply acknowledging the difficulties faced by students with dyslexia and truly connect with their experiences. By understanding the internal struggle they face each day, we can begin to appreciate the immense effort they put forth. It’s time to recognize and celebrate their determination, perseverance, and unwavering spirit.
Ten Quotes that Praise the Effort
- “I can see how hard you’ve been working on improving your reading fluency. Your dedication and persistence are admirable.”
- “You showed great effort in breaking down the words and sounding them out. I appreciate your commitment to improving your decoding skills.”
- “I noticed how you took your time to plan and organize your writing. Your effort in creating a well-structured piece is commendable.”
- “Your determination to understand the math concept and your willingness to ask questions and seek clarification really stood out to me. Keep up the great effort!”
- “I can see the progress you’ve made in using assistive technology to support your learning. Your effort in exploring and implementing these tools is impressive.”
- “I appreciate the effort you put into finding alternative ways to demonstrate your understanding of the topic. Your creativity and resourcefulness are remarkable.”
- “Your dedication to practicing sight words every day is paying off. I’m proud of your commitment to improving your reading skills.”
- “I noticed how you used various strategies to remember and recall information during our lesson. Your effort to find effective memory techniques is commendable.”
- “You demonstrated great persistence in completing the assignment despite the challenges you faced. Your determination and resilience are truly inspiring.”
- “I appreciate your effort to actively participate in class discussions and share your thoughts and ideas. Your contributions enrich our learning environment.”
A Nurturing Classroom
Creating a supportive classroom environment goes beyond academic adjustments. It involves recognizing and nurturing students’ interests, talents, and passions. Students with invisible disabilities or learning disabilities will receive disproportionate criticism and indirect messaging that they are not as smart or capable as other students. When students with dyslexia feel valued for their effort and celebrated for their unique contributions, their confidence soars, and their educational journey becomes one of self-discovery and empowerment.
