Search Here

Video games can offer valuable benefits to dyslexic children, providing unexpected support in their learning journey.

The Situation of Dyslexic Kids

Dyslexia is a learning disorder marked by difficulties in reading, specifically in recognizing letters, syllables, and words. While the exact causes are not fully understood, it is believed that issues in the way the brain processes visual information play a role. A child with a dyslexic parent is significantly more likely to develop the disorder. 

Typically diagnosed during early school years, it is possible to identify at-risk children earlier. With this goal, a French-Italian research team examined whether playing video games could help preschool children overcome cognitive deficits linked to dyslexia.

Video Games Benefits for Dyslexic Kids

Enhanced Phonological Awareness

The study involved 79 preschool children, aged five to six, identified as at risk for dyslexia. They were divided into four groups, with one group playing the action video game "Space Invaders Extreme 2" for 45 minutes, four times a week, over a month and a half. Results showed that children who played this game were better at breaking down spoken words into phonemes compared to their peers.

Improved Cognitive Skills

The effectiveness of the different activities was assessed using tests for phonological awareness, phonological working memory, and rapid naming abilities. The children who played the action video game demonstrated higher levels of phonological awareness, a crucial skill for reading development.

Long-lasting Effects

Remarkably, the benefits observed in the children who played "Space Invaders Extreme 2" persisted six months after the experiment ended. This suggests that certain video games can have a lasting positive impact on the cognitive skills necessary for reading.

Potential New Intervention Methods

While the research has limitations, it highlights a potential new method for supporting children with learning difficulties. Video games could serve as a supplementary tool to traditional phonological training, offering a fun and engaging way to enhance critical cognitive skills.