Videos to build confidence &
encourage dyslexics leaners
What improves self-confidence?
What helps young learners understand that they are bright when they experience difficulties at school?
The earlier dyslexia and other learning difficulties are identified and students understand their learning style is ‘different’ rather than ‘inferior’, the easier this is.
What I’ve seen help
There are many ways aduts can help restore/build their children’s self-esteem.
One of the simplest and cheapest is to guide them to watch helpful videos. Specific videos have encouraged my students far more than listening to anything I’ve said to them.
I am not suggesting that watching these videos will miraculously improve self-esteem but is one of many tools that could help.
Encouraging Videos
Many videos have been created to inform and encourage dyslexics. These can be great conversation starters. The discussions I’ve had with students after watching videos have been enlightening, providing clues as to where further support is required.
Which video should I watch?
This webpage lists a lot of videos because what helps one child might not be helpful to another. Hearing about famous, creative, genius and successful dyslexics can make some children feel totally inadequate, but really inspire others.
I recommend that adults watch the videos first to decide which ones they think would be helpful for an individual or group.
Watching videos beats reading books for most dyslexics.
Parents need encouraging too
Parents, whilst researching which video you think might help your child, you might well find you are educated and encouraged too!
Understanding that your dyslexic child can go on and be successful helps calm natural anxieties, enabling you to parent positively.
For a long time, my parenting was fuelled by fear, which I now see, was hugely detrimental.
Watch them together
Watching together can naturally start helpful conversations. The shared experience can trigger emotions or memories that will be helpful to discuss.
Let me save you some time
I've spent an inordinate amount of time watching oodles of videos to find the most helpful ones.
Here is a list of videos that have positively impacted my students from ages 6-18 years. I've included some brief notes to help you select the most appropriate ones.
This will hopefully save you precious time.
If you know of any other encouraging videos, please email them to me.
Videos
Dyslexia Explained: What's It Like Being Dyslexic?
This can bring a tear to many an adult’s eyes, but primary school aged children LOVE it, plus it can be a good conversation starter for secondary students It’s a cartoon, telling the story of a boy who hates school, whose teacher thinks he's lazy, but finds that that is wrong and apologises.
This is one of many helpful videos on Nessy’s Dyslexia Explained YouTube Channel. Other favourites of mine are:
MICAL - Short film.
A real tearjerker for mums. Perhaps watch it alone first with tissues at hand.
10 Myths about Dyslexia
Although a cartoon this is more helpful for parents that children but worth including as children benefit from some of the simple explanations.
Check out all the other great videos on the YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@DyslexiaExplained
likeadyslexic
My primary school students love this. It’s very upbeat, created by a 12 year old dyslexic. It communicates via the written word so it needs to be read out to ensure that all students understand it.
See dyslexia differently
This animation seeks to pre-empt misconceptions amongst young audiences by shedding light on the real challenges that dyslexic children face, whilst also acknowledging their strengths and potential. Enjoyed by all ages, this video has a narrator throughout, so no reading of the screen is required.
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexic Advantage One Minute Video.
The Dyslexic Advantage YouTube channel is excellent, I would totally recommend checking it out, however they don't have that many videos that would hold a young student’s attention.
This video is short and extremely helpful.
It acknowledges that dyslexics often find school hard but explains many strengths that those with dyslexia have. I find the sound volume too low. If you are showing this to a number of people you might need a speaker to boost the volume.
How dyslexics will rule the future
VERY inspirational. A favourite with parents and older children.
It explains why dyslexic thinking is an advantage and much needed in the world.
Made By Dyslexia YouTube channel.
All the videos are fantastic. They are inspirational, educational and sometimes both. They tend to be short and extremely professional. Here is a flavour:
Square Pegs
One of my favouristes a MUST watch for everyone.
Dyslexia Heroes - The World is Made by Dyslexia
This is short and powerful.
Why dyslexia is not a disadvantage.
Clever, quick and professional.
Rather than list their videos, I suggest you just check out their YouTube channel as they are always being updated Made by Dyslexia https://www.youtube.com/@madebydyslexia
Famous Dyslexics
The clue is in the name. It is UK based and upbeat. The celebrities mentioned are people that children/students will have heard of. It doesn't rely on students being able to read tonnes.
Dyslexia - Explained for Grade 5 Class South Australia.
BIG favourite with students. It is suitable for primary aged and younger secondary. It is fun and upbeat but relies on students being able to read, which cannot be assumed in a class full of dyslexics, so I always read the text aloud. As students got familiar with it they volunteered to read the text for the younger/slower readers.
Dyslexia - Famous Dyslexics
Australian, lists successful dyslexics from all over the world and explains their accomplishments and some of the struggles they had when they were young. Doesn't rely on students reading and includes mostly 'relevant' famous people from a student’s perspective, with upbeat music.
Dysadvantage YouTube Channel
Suitable for secondary school children up
Trendy twenty something talks about different aspects of dyslexia. Some are more helpful for school students than others. I’ve saved you time by picking out my favourites.
I LOVE this channel!!
Seeing someone aspirational but NOT a celebrity or not someone wickedly successful, being happy, open and seeing the funny side of being dyslexic, models how students can handle tricky situations.
My students listen more attentively to Kyle’s input than they would any teacher or more serious video
Sometimes the language is not totally suitable to show in school, but it’s not terrible, so I show them anyway!! They will hear much worse in the play ground. When I apologise in advance that there might be swear words, the students want to watch them all the more, and give the videos their undivided attention! They are disappointed when there isn’t any bad language at all, which does happen in some videos.
Here are some of Kyle’s videos that I've found most helpful
Do I tell people I'm dyslexic?
Discusses the advantages of being open about being dyslexic.
Types of Dyslexics.
Discusses the different type of dyslexics:
Victims - those with low expectations and others who are driven.
It challenges students to accept struggles, but to dream big and create a plan.
Is school important?
Don't give rubbish teachers the power to stop your dreams! He talks about how he wishes he had worked hard when at school. Be warned - defo a swear word or two!
Things I'd tell my teenage self
Things Kyle wishes he’d known when he was at school.
VERY powerful -
I show this a lot!!
It’s worth spelling out what is included in this one, as it has had a bigger impact on my secondary students than anything I say.
Main points
Revision is super important. Give 100% effort. Try different methods if what you are doing isnt working.
Don’t worry about what other students think of you. So many teenagers won’t use the tech or access arrangements in exams that will help them. While Kyle doesn’t specifically talk about this here, I always refer to them after students have listened to his advice.
Aim high. He models how to respectfully handle limiting advice.
Be resourceful & proactive. Take back power from teachers.
Have fun!! Enjoy school!
Not a video but a BBC TV Series
Hank Zipzer
Click on the image to see the episodes available on BBC iPlayer
This children’s TV series is a lot of fun. Watching it can help children who struggle at school, see someone they identify with on TV. Hopefully, it will help them see the funny side of everyday school catastrophes.
It is certainly great for opening dialogue with students who don’t always talk about their struggles.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b0667szz/hank-zipzer
Jamie Oliver’s book Billy and the Giant Adventure
Jamie Oliver is the second most published UK author, despite being wickedly dyslexic.
His children’s Audiobook is designed to be enjoyable for those who struggle with reading, and the back story is inspiring.
Jamie introduces his book here.->
One of many of James’s interviews about his dyslexia and his children's book can be found here.
More Videos
I have listed these because I like the content, but these did not really hold the attention of my students and were not therefore often requested.
Embrace Dyslexia: Unlocking Potential. Very similar to the famous people with dyslexia video above but with different famous dyslexics presented differently. Needs some content reading for students.
Dyslexia - Changing Perception of Dyslexia. Suitable for older primary and secondary. It has been created to sell a programme that I have not investigated. It talks throughout and doesn't rely on children needing to read.
Dyslexia Motivation Video. Looks at the strengths of dyslexics.
Famous People With Dyslexia. Great content, as it introduces each person without giving their name, but telling something negative that was said about them when they were young, then listing their amazing accomplishments. It's really inspiring but the music is depressing and it relies on everything being read. I always read it aloud otherwise it might not serve the intended purpose.
