Activities outside of school for dyslexic child?

[DyslexiaFriendlyOOS]

Posting here as it seems to fit with primary education better than other topics

DD is 6, Year 2 but also has a developmental delay so often appears to be move like a Reception/Year 1.

She currently does Rainbows and Swimming outside of school, which I think both support her dyslexia. But school think if I can afford it she should do one more (I can afford).

She tires quickly due to the GDD/Dyslexia, so does swimming at the weekend.

She’s also very hypermobile so I don’t think dance/gymnastics would suit her as she’s always in pain.

So other suggestions that help her? She has no confidence in herself, says she’s no good at school and it’s too hard, so want something to celebrate her and build confidence.

Rainbows are already aware and have been building her confidence through badge work/activities there.

She’s still only stage 1 swimming after over a year but I want her to keep at that, even though she doesn’t like being in Stage 1 (she’s very very close to stage 2).

Her dyslexia causes processing and memory issues, so something she can pick up easily or it doesn’t really matter if she doesn’t quite grasp it – I think that’s why she likes Rainbows, as it’s fun even if you don’t really understand what you’ve done.

The waiting list may be far too long in your area, but Beavers (Scouts)? They take girls, and based on my DS / DD do a different set of activities with more outdoor focus than the Rainbows.

Otherwise, I'm struggling to think of anything not sports related. We do messy church once a month with our local church, which is a set of 4-7 odd craft activities you as the parent rotate round with her. There's then food afterwards at both of the local two I've tried, one of the two the religious bit is the right length, the other I have to admit it was beyond my kids (age 5 and 3 at the time) attention span. Is there anything like that near you?

@CrabbyCat

The waiting list may be far too long in your area, but Beavers (Scouts)? They take girls, and based on my DS / DD do a different set of activities with more outdoor focus than the Rainbows.

Otherwise, I'm struggling to think of anything not sports related. We do messy church once a month with our local church, which is a set of 4-7 odd craft activities you as the parent rotate round with her. There's then food afterwards at both of the local two I've tried, one of the two the religious bit is the right length, the other I have to admit it was beyond my kids (age 5 and 3 at the time) attention span. Is there anything like that near you?

@CrabbyCat There's a messy church but it's only open to certain people unless there's space and there's never space. And they only meet every 6 weeks or so.

She's desperate to try football but I'm worried that it might be too much with her HM.

What about something at a local riding stables. My DS is also hyper mobile and has low confidence. It's really helped his confidence and coordination, especially balance.

Absolutely horse riding. Horses are gentle and calm and don’t care. 121 lead rein lessons with anunderstanding instructor will be great Look for BHS registered yards that have an RDA certificate.

If she loves it she could do group lessons or many yards to pony days.

Unfortunately horse riding is out, we live too far from any stables to make it viable to get there, I don't always have a car.

The wonderful thing about riding is that it’s just about enjoying it. I’ve seen so many children grow in confidence from the joy of being in charge of a pony.

I’m dyslexic and the only time it’s an issue is remembering dressage tests - not something she’ll have to worry about for a very long time, if ever. Completely coincidentally, my last two instructors have been dyslexic - maybe we are attracted to horses for the reasons I describe.

Ah sorry, cross posted

Would she be interested in singing?

DS2 tried a couple of instruments but clearly struggled with the coordination and memory aspect of it. I couldn't persuade him to try singing because "it's cringey"

Shame, because it seems that learning music as a kid does all sorts of magic to their developing brain...

Unfortunately horse riding is out, we live too far from any stables to make it viable to get there, I don't always have a car.
First you need to consider what she likes and what she is good at.
Then consider what you could reasonably easily get her to.
Then offer her a choice.

Music? Art class? Theatre?
Is there a football club she could try?
Could you afford some physio for her as opposed to an "activity"?
Can she ride a bike (no idea if this is good or not for hyper mobility)?

Or just take her swimming to mess around in the water and practice what she learnt in her lesson.

Round where I live, there are some forest-school type clubs where you can learn to make dens and camp fires and rafts. Good outdoor fun and lots of team-building and hands-on skills.

My dyslexic DD sounded similar to yours. Lacking confidence, easily exhausted, slow processing (and a bit dyspraxic.) So we had to limit extra curricular activities.

She joined a local drama group aged 8 and she's now 15 and hasn't looked back. It's been the making of her.
Nothing against Stagecoach, but it's not like that. It's deliberately more inclusive and all the kids there are completely able to have fun together in a very relaxed environment, you don't need to be able to sing or dance, although many do, and very well. They put on 2 performances a year and all the parents and grandparents support them in the little local community theatre. Everyone gets a part, plenty of them are ND, everyone is included.
She is still generally quite tired, but always has the energy to go to the club on a Friday evening after an exhausting week at school. Her confidence now is amazing to see.
Good luck!

@PagesOfSlime

Unfortunately horse riding is out, we live too far from any stables to make it viable to get there, I don't always have a car. First you need to consider what she likes and what she is good at. Then consider what you could reasonably easily get her to. Then offer her a choice.

Music? Art class? Theatre?
Is there a football club she could try?
Could you afford some physio for her as opposed to an "activity"?
Can she ride a bike (no idea if this is good or not for hyper mobility)?

@PagesOfSlime There is a football club she could try but not until September as it currently classes with Rainbows, but she'll be in Brownies by then

@R0llonspring

My dyslexic DD sounded similar to yours. Lacking confidence, easily exhausted, slow processing (and a bit dyspraxic.) So we had to limit extra curricular activities.

She joined a local drama group aged 8 and she's now 15 and hasn't looked back. It's been the making of her.
Nothing against Stagecoach, but it's not like that. It's deliberately more inclusive and all the kids there are completely able to have fun together in a very relaxed environment, you don't need to be able to sing or dance, although many do, and very well. They put on 2 performances a year and all the parents and grandparents support them in the little local community theatre. Everyone gets a part, plenty of them are ND, everyone is included.
She is still generally quite tired, but always has the energy to go to the club on a Friday evening after an exhausting week at school. Her confidence now is amazing to see.
Good luck!

@R0llonspring There's only stagecoach or another chain round here for drama, it sounds exactly what DD needs though.

She absolutely loves Rainbows and it does give her some confidence but she's very reward based so is always looking to get the next badge then the next one so it can get a bit much re-explaining that we do one at a time and work it round school etc.

I have a dyslexic daughter and she runs. She started off doing Jr Parkrun on a Sunday and loved it. Now she does 5ks with me weekly and also trains with the local athletic club. It’s become her ‘thing’.

@mawbroon

Would she be interested in singing?

DS2 tried a couple of instruments but clearly struggled with the coordination and memory aspect of it. I couldn't persuade him to try singing because "it's cringey"

Shame, because it seems that learning music as a kid does all sorts of magic to their developing brain...

@mawbroon She'd love to sing but wouldn't even know where to start with finding a local teacher. When I did a quick google search there's no teachers that I can easily get to.

How about a theatre group?

Our local one is great- they also go into school and do workshops on building confidence in youngsters. And if you find she has an aptitude for this she could also try out for a production. Our local one also does specific sessions for kids with disabilities but are very welcoming in the usual sessions too.

Does she like art? She could try a drawing or pottery class? Or some kind of craft? I saw you said she’s quite reward based so she might enjoy having something to take home each week.

Normally each area has a music 'hub' that provides music teachers to schools and also offers private lessons. If you look on your local council website they may give details and will probably list local choirs too. Alternatively, in this day and age most teachers are set up for Zoom if necessary.

Our hub also offers music theatre. Our DD, with SEN, and also hypermobile (similar issues if she overdoes football and running) has really taken to it

If you ask around you will find music and alternatives to the big name franchises.

www.artscouncil.org.uk/music-education/music-education-hubs#section-1 download a list of "hubs" here.

Drumming can be good for rhythm and sequencing skills. She might still find it dififcult, but it means not having to read music in the same way as with other instruments.

Martial art of some sort? Can progress at lots of different paces to suit the child, good for practising sequencing skills, confidence building.

Would a small pet like a guinea pig help. She would be involved in looking after it and most children gain a
lot from having a pet to love and care for.

Throwing in a curve ball as horse riding seems to be out... what about a dog? Both my DC have their own dogs and are members of the Young KC. They run their own shows (besides the more serious adults) and have fun activity weekends. Training will definitely help with confidence as well as having a faithful friend by her side.

Martial arts like karate would be ideal as it will help to learn a sequence of moves, helps with core strength and stability and if it is the right class/ teacher is great for building self confidence.

@Jjjayfee

Would a small pet like a guinea pig help. She would be involved in looking after it and most children gain a lot from having a pet to love and care for.

@Jjjayfee We have a cat already but I do most of the care because even with reminders sometimes she forgets to do things like fill the water. She's not deliberately forgetting as if I ask and she doesn't get distacted she does it, it's just she'll take the bowl to the kitchen to fill then notice her homework or lego or the TV etc.