A play-based programme may improve sense of time and planning in children with dyslexia

The study

1. 01

   Who took part

   30 children with dyslexia, aged 8 to 12, from learning disability centres in Zanjan, Iran. Fifteen were in each group.

2. 02

   What they did

   The play group had eight one-hour sessions of play therapy. The games and puzzles aimed to build planning, time sense, working memory and self-control. A child psychologist led the sessions. The other group got no treatment.

3. 03

   What happened

   After the sessions, the play group did better than the other group on time sense and on planning. The paper's numbers don't fully add up, so the sizes of the gains are uncertain. About 18 in 100 children gained little or nothing.

What the study found

1. HelpedTime management

   After eight play sessions, children with dyslexia judged time better than children who got nothing.

   • Action: Play a game that teaches planningtested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Small trial of 30 children with dyslexia in Iran · vs children who got no treatment · behaviour was recorded · ⚠ numbers unreliable

2. HelpedOther outcomes

   The same play sessions also helped children plan better on a puzzle test than the children who got nothing.

   • Action: Play a game that teaches planningtested
   • Rule: With a coach or therapistused

   Small trial of 30 children with dyslexia in Iran · vs children who got no treatment · behaviour was recorded · ⚠ numbers unreliable

Source