Unlocking Literacy: Effective Phonics Strategies for Supporting Students with Dyslexia and Literacy Needs
Does your child struggle with understanding phonics, decoding unfamiliar words, or representing sounds in writing? For students with dyslexia, these challenges can feel overwhelming. Join Antoinette Lindsay, Founder of Literacy & Dyslexia Support (LDS), Local Authority Education Consultant, Dyslexia Specialist Teacher, and Assessor, as she explains and demonstrates strategies to help students overcome these obstacles and master the fundamental skills of phonics.
What is Phonics?
Phonics is a method of teaching reading and writing that focuses on the relationship between letters and sounds. It’s the foundation of literacy, helping students decode (read) and encode (spell) words.
Why Phonics is Crucial for Students with Dyslexia
Addressing the Root of the Problem: Many students with dyslexia struggle with phonological awareness—the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in words. Phonics provides a structured, systematic approach to help them understand and process these sounds.
Improving Decoding Skills: Phonics instruction helps students break down unfamiliar words into manageable parts. This is essential for building reading fluency, comprehension, and overall literacy skills.
Supporting Spelling and Writing: As students understand the connection between sounds and letters, they improve not only their reading but also their ability to spell and write words accurately.
Bio
Antoinette is a qualified teacher with over twenty years of experience in schools, both as a classroom teacher and a Senior Manager. Her passion for teaching, particularly in Literacy, led her on a journey to explore how we learn and the factors that influence our ability to do so. This inspired her to pursue further studies, ultimately becoming a Specialist Teacher in Literacy and Dyslexia.
Today, Antoinette works both privately and with Local Authorities as a Specialist Teacher and Consultant, supporting students and schools in developing effective literacy strategies. She is the Founder of Literacy & Dyslexia Support (LDS), as well as Phonics Buddies - an engaging literacy programme working with Early years settings.
Antoinette is dedicated to empowering students to unlock their full potential, by making a meaningful impact at every stage of learning. With a passion for education and student success, she strives to create transformative learning experiences that inspire growth, confidence, and lifelong achievement
