For children with dyslexia, learning to read can be an uphill battle. Traditional phonics instruction, while essential, may not be enough on its own. High-frequency words—those words that appear most often in written text—are a key piece of the puzzle in helping dyslexic children become confident readers. These words make up around 50% of what we read, meaning that mastering them can significantly improve a child's reading fluency and comprehension.
What Are High-Frequency Words?
High-frequency words, also known as sight words, are words that appear repeatedly in written language. Examples include the, and, is, was, of, to, and you. Many of these words do not follow standard phonetic rules, making them challenging to sound out. Instead, children often need to memorise them by sight to recognise them instantly.
Why Are High-Frequency Words Important for Dyslexic Learners?
Children with dyslexia often struggle with decoding words due to difficulties with phonological processing. This can make reading slow and frustrating. Learning high-frequency words helps in several key ways:
Improves Reading Fluency – When children recognise these words instantly, they don’t have to pause and decode them, leading to smoother and more efficient reading.
Boosts Comprehension – Since high-frequency words form the foundation of most sentences, recognising them quickly allows children to focus on understanding the meaning of what they are reading rather than getting stuck on each individual word.
Reduces Cognitive Load – Decoding unfamiliar words takes up valuable mental energy. Mastering high-frequency words frees up brain power to focus on decoding less familiar words and processing meaning.
Builds Confidence – Struggling readers often experience frustration and self-doubt. Recognising a large portion of words quickly helps them feel more capable and engaged in reading activities.
Best Practices for Teaching High-Frequency Words
For children with dyslexia, simply memorising words through repetition may not be the most effective method. Instead, a multi-sensory approach works best. Here are some effective strategies:
Use Multi-Sensory Techniques – Incorporate visual, auditory, and kinaesthetic learning strategies. For example, children can trace words in sand while saying them aloud or use magnetic letters to build words.
Teach Words in Context – Rather than memorising lists, introduce high-frequency words in meaningful sentences and stories.
Engage in Repetition with Variety – Repetition is key, but presenting words in different ways—games, songs, and interactive activities—helps reinforce learning without boredom.
Encourage Active Reading – Have children highlight high-frequency words in books or use technology like voice recognition apps to support learning.
Final Thoughts
For children with dyslexia, mastering high-frequency words is a crucial step toward becoming confident, fluent readers. By integrating multi-sensory learning techniques and providing plenty of practice in context, parents and educators can help dyslexic learners build a strong foundation for reading success. Every small victory with high-frequency words brings them closer to a lifelong love of reading.
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