Helpful Apps and Websites for the Summer Holidays

One of the questions I am asked most often by parents at this time of year is:

"What should I do over the summer to stop my child falling behind?"

It's an understandable concern.

Many children with dyslexia have worked incredibly hard throughout the school year. Parents have supported reading practice, spelling programmes, homework battles and revision sessions. The thought of six weeks away from school can sometimes feel worrying.

At the same time, children need a break.

School is often exhausting for dyslexic learners. Reading, writing, organisation, memory and concentration can require far more effort than many people realise.

The goal of the summer holidays isn't to create a classroom at home.

The goal is to keep skills ticking over whilst allowing children to rest, recharge and enjoy themselves.

That's where I often recommend the CALL Scotland Wheel of Apps.

What is the Wheel of Apps?

The CALL Scotland Wheel of Apps is a free resource designed to help parents, schools and young people find technology that supports different aspects of learning.

Rather than focusing on one app, it recognises that literacy is made up of many different skills.

Think of it as a wheel.

A wheel only works because all of the parts work together.

Similarly, successful literacy development involves:

• Reading

• Spelling

• Writing

• Memory

• Organisation

• Communication

• Confidence

Children with dyslexia may need support in several of these areas.

The Wheel of Apps helps parents choose technology that targets the areas where their child needs support.

Why One App is Rarely Enough

Parents often ask:

"What's the best app for dyslexia?"

There isn't one.

A child who struggles with spelling may not need the same support as a child who struggles with organisation or reading fluency.

The most successful approach is often to choose a few tools that support different areas of learning.

📚 Reading

Reading doesn't have to mean sitting with a difficult novel.

Apps and resources such as:

• BorrowBox

• Audible

• Kindle

allow children to access stories, information and vocabulary at a level that matches their interests.

Remember:

Audiobooks are not cheating.

Listening to books develops:

• Vocabulary

• Comprehension

• General knowledge

• Story understanding

Many successful dyslexic adults use audiobooks throughout their education and careers.

🔤 Spelling

For spelling practice, I often recommend:

• Spellzone

• Nessy

Both provide structured, engaging opportunities to revisit spelling patterns and phonics knowledge.

The key is little and often.

Ten minutes a few times a week is usually far more effective than an hour-long battle.

✍️ Writing

Many dyslexic learners have fantastic ideas but struggle to organise them on paper.

Technology can help.

Useful tools include:

• Clicker

• Voice typing

• Word prediction software

These reduce the effort involved in recording ideas and allow children to focus on what they want to say.

🧠 Memory and Study Skills

For older students, particularly those moving into GCSE years, memory apps can be extremely useful.

Quizlet is one of my favourites because it allows students to create simple flashcards and revisit information regularly.

This can be particularly helpful for:

• Languages

• Science vocabulary

• Key facts

• GCSE revision

📅 Organisation

Dyslexia is often accompanied by difficulties with organisation and executive functioning.

Simple tools such as:

• Google Calendar

• Reminder apps

• Digital checklists

can help children learn skills that will benefit them long after the summer holidays have ended.

Don't Forget Real Life

Technology is helpful, but some of the most powerful learning opportunities happen away from screens.

Over the summer:

• Read menus together.

• Follow recipes.

• Write postcards.

• Plan day trips.

• Listen to audiobooks in the car.

• Play word games.

• Visit museums.

• Talk about films.

• Explore new places.

These activities develop language, vocabulary and confidence without feeling like school.

The Most Important Part of the Wheel

If I could add one more section to the Wheel of Apps, it would be:

❤️ Confidence

Many dyslexic children spend the school year focusing on things they find difficult.

Summer is an opportunity to focus on strengths.

Sport.

Art.

Drama.

Music.

Coding.

Lego.

Football.

Film-making.

Creativity.

Problem-solving.

Whatever makes your child light up.

Confidence is not a luxury. It is one of the most important factors in long-term success.

What Does a Good Summer Look Like?

Not worksheets every day.

Not endless reading battles.

Not six weeks of catch-up.

A good summer might include:

• Listening to an audiobook.

• A couple of Spellzone sessions each week.

• Reading a football magazine.

• Writing a postcard.

• Playing Bananagrams.

• Helping to plan a family day out.

• Lots of time outdoors.

• Plenty of fun.

That's enough.

The aim isn't to "fix" dyslexia over the summer.

The aim is to return to school in September feeling confident, refreshed and ready to learn.

Because a happy child who enjoys learning will always make more progress than a child who spends six weeks feeling they are still at school.

And sometimes, the best thing we can do for our children is let them enjoy being children.