Many students today struggle with reading problems. Although these can often be complex issues involving decoding and phonics, dyslexia or other causes, some children simply struggle with the actual visual skills of tracking and seeing words along the page. Check out these simple tools that may help struggling readers:
Color Overlays or Reading Rulers: These colored overlays may help reduce glare and improve focus along the page. A study published in 2002 in the Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics Journal support these results.
Some children are overly sensitive to glare or flicker from overhead fluorescent lights. Cozy Shades are flame retardant fabric drapes that magnetically stay in place over overhead panels to help soften lighting for a cozier space.
Slant writing boards allow for an angled work surface which may also help reduce glare from overhead lighting and may also help support students who struggle with visual plane changes such as looking up at the board then back down at the paper.
Strong visual tracking skills are so important to develop and are needed to read, copy from a board, and focus from near to far. Young children especially need to engage in activities such as flashlight tag, blowing bubbles, tracking and hitting a ball or balloon, and engaging in “I Spy” and other occulomotor activities/games.
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