Can Video Games Help Children at Risk of Dyslexia with Reading? - Impact on Phonological Development

Aug 13, 2026

The research investigates whether action video games can improve early cognitive markers linked to dyslexia in preschoolers. Twenty children aged 5–6, including 79 identified as at risk, were assigned to four groups and assessed on phonological awareness, phonological working memory, and rapid naming. One group played Space Invaders Extreme 2 for a month and followed researchers later found effects persisted for six months. The study suggests game-based interventions may support phonological development, though methodological limitations remain.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Study question and background

Participants and risk identification

Game intervention and training groups

Assessment methods and measured outcomes

Findings and follow-up impact

Limitations and implications for intervention

SEKTOR DOKUMENTASI PENDIDIKANBPPDP,Kementerian Pendidikan MalaysiaAras SB-4,Blok E8,Kompleks E,Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan62604 Putrajaya.Tel:03-88846425Faks:03-88846284 TARIKH:05 JUN 2024(RABU) UTUSAN M'SIA BERITA HARIAN N.STRAITS TIMES THE STAR Can video games help childrenat risk of dyslexia with reading? NST slu|2024 ·12 DYSLEXIAis typically diagnosed oncechildren start learning to read in ele-mentary school.But it is possible toidentify children at risk earlier. action video game 'Space Invaders were betterable than others to breakdown spoken words into phonemes.They were much more phonologi-cally aware than their peers. Extreme 2'for45minutes,four times a week,for a month and a half,while the second group played a series of With this in mind,a Surprisingly,the researchersfound that this phenomenon wasstill visible six months after the endof the experiment.They conclude thataction video games like'Space Invad-ers Extreme 2'had alasting effect onchildren's phonological development. mini-games. French-Italian research Children in the third group attended phonologi- team set out to determine whether playing video cal training with a speech games could help over- therapist,while those in come cognitive deficits the fourth group received Heal associated with dyslexia no specifictreatment. in preschool children The effectiveness of Although this research has meth-odological limitations,it opens thedoor to new methods of interventionfor children with learning difficul-ties,who may eventually becomedyslexic. exhibiting such deficits. the different experimen- To do this,the academ- tal protocols on the chil- ics conducted an experi- dren was assessed through ment with 20 preschool chil- tests measuring phonologicalawareness,phonological workingmemory and rapid naming abilities. dren,aged 5 to 6,79 of whom wereidentified as being at risk of dyslexia.They divided them into four groups. Certain video games could helpthem improve the cognitive skillsneeded to acquire reading skills.j It emerged that children who hadplayed 'Space Invaders Extreme 2' The first group had to play the # SINAR HARIAN

FAQs

When can children at risk of dyslexia be identified, according to the text?

Dyslexia is typically diagnosed once children start learning to read in elementary school, but the text notes it is possible to identify risk earlier.

What did the researchers use to assess the children’s learning-related abilities?

Children were assessed with tests measuring phonological awareness, phonological working memory, and rapid naming abilities.

What lasting effect did Space Invaders Extreme 2 have after the experiment?

The researchers found the improvement pattern was still visible six months after the experiment ended, suggesting a lasting effect on phonological development.

Aug 13, 2026

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