I have a Yr 2 girl who I've been teaching for a year and who has just been diagnosed with dyslexia. I was aware that she was not progressing as fast as I'd hoped and wondered what the problem was...

I could really use some help with repertoire suggestions. She is keen on Fiddle Time Starters as she can read the letters written in the note heads more easily than notes off the stave. Her aural work is not brilliant - she struggles with simple 'copy me' tunes, but I'll keep trying!

I don't play the violin so I don't think that this post will be much use but it might be a good idea to teach her some songs by ear. I'm a bit dyslexic myself and I find it a lot easier that way as I don't have to read the music. Good luck and let me know how it goes

Year two is still very young to make rapid progress. with her reading and playing if she has problems with dyslexia. I wonder if the little lass would enjoy some easy written work to help her with her note naming? If the music is printed out on a slightly larger than usual stave and not hand written she should have little problem. Some games for the violin too might be fun for her, and learning some easy pieces by rote could be a good idea too. Try to develop her aural skills and perhaps ask the specialist dyslexia teacher at her school if he or she has any more suggestions.

Does she find reading at school difficult as well? If she does, she may get something to help her read, which should also apply to reading music as well.

Maybe I'm getting confused, but does having the music printed on a coloured paper help? I know this is a possible solution for one sort of difficulty, but can't remember if it's for dyslexia. It's something to do with the contrast between black and white being too great.

I know it's possible to ask for sightreading on coloured paper for AB exams, under their provision for special needs candidates.

Yes - thats what I was trying to recall in my post!

You can also get coloured transparent overlays to create the same effect, I think.