Spotting the signs of dyslexia through playtime and a dyslexia-friendly book

We caught up with Sarah Grace who has an update about her wonderful children's book, Bella finds Grace, which was one of the first books to be published in the Grace Dyslexic Typeface.

'We're already into March, which I knew would be an exciting yet anxiety-provoking month, due to my second grandbaby being due any time now.

I just had to get creative with a new playroom for Lili, my first grandchild, now two years old, who just loves Bella finds Grace.

She also loves my two kittens, Sami and Cali (they're nearly cats now), along with Nanny's playtime. The joy of being a grandparent is being in the moment and being able to just play. It's precious, and I wish I could say I did more of that with my own children. In hindsight, I think I was trying too hard to do everything so well and keep up with all the chores that I played very little.

Having studied Play Therapy during my Psychotherapy training, I see the incredible value now that I didn't as a young mum. Especially with both of my lovely children being born close together. The benefit is they have always been close and to see them enjoying time together as adults is wonderful. I hope to see Lili and her new sibling doing the same in the playroom as they grow.

Look at these photos of the playroom. Spot the difference…..you saw it right?

My funny girls popping in the photo and then exchanging places made me smile. I just had to share it!

Spotting the signs of dyslexia 

It made me think of how we can easily see things when we are looking for them. However, when things are hidden, as parents and teachers, we can miss them so easily. As a parent, if I had played more with my children I may have seen the more subtle traits of dyslexia in my own children. However, I was still undiagnosed myself and do not remember my parents playing with me either.

Some of the signs of dyslexia include struggling to grasp reading or writing, or more subtle traits such as failing to know left and right, struggling when following a number of directions or processing thoughts and emotions.

Yet, dyslexics are most often very clever, creative and empathic. 

Taking time to sit, one-on-one, playing, reading or just listening to a child can show so much of their internal world. These give us clues to how they are managing to be in the ever-changing world around them.

Lili probably is not dyslexic but I am thrilled to have a book dedicated to her as she will grow up knowing what it is.

Many people have brought Bella finds Grace to educate themselves, and look for dyslexia in their own children, students and churches.

I hope that we can all learn to look, listen and be playful in all of life’s different seasons.

Spring is here - let's spring into action and buy a copy or two of Bella finds Grace.'

Find out how Alan the friendly hedgehog spots that Bella the butterfly had dyslexia...

Bella finds Grace

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