- Prioritize clarity over decoration
- Use clear, sans-serif or simplified serif typefaces (e.g., Grundschrift) with large x-height
- Avoid overly decorative or playful fonts that may look child-friendly but reduce legibility
- Ensure clear differentiation of commonly confused letters (b/d, p/q, i/l)
- Use adequate font size
- Opt for larger font sizes (14–16 pt) for beginner readers
- Avoid small fonts that strain children’s eyes and slow reading speed
- Mind your spacing
- Ensure sufficient letter, word, and line spacing
- Slightly increased word spacing helps word recognition
- Maintain consistent line spacing for clear eye guidance.
- Avoid overly wide letter spacing, as it disrupts word shape recognition (avoid tight tracking; allow letters to “breathe”)
- Use illustrations purposefully
- Illustrations should support and clarify the text
- Avoid overloaded or chaotic visuals
- Maintain a clear visual hierarchy to guide children’s focus
- Use illustrations to aid comprehension, showing key actions or emotions in the story
- Maintain consistency between reading and writing
- Use typefaces that resemble the forms children will use when writing (e.g., Grundschrift)
- Avoid abrupt differences between printed and handwritten forms to ease transfer between reading and writing
- Support multisensory learning
- Where possible, integrate visual, auditory, and tactile elements (e.g., tracing letters, interactive pointing while reading aloud)
- Use colors consciously to highlight structures (e.g., syllables) but avoid random color overload
- Provide Visual Structure
- Break down text into short, manageable chunks with paragraphs
- Use headings and visual cues to structure content clearly
- Avoid large, dense text blocks that overwhelm beginner readers
- Optimize contrast and background
- Ensure high contrast between text and background (e.g., black on white)
- Avoid busy or colorful backgrounds that reduce readability
- Use calm, child-friendly color palettes
- Foster Motivation
- Create visually engaging, but not overwhelming, materials
- Use illustrations and color to spark curiosity and emotional connection to the content
- Support the child’s success experience with materials that are neither too easy nor too hard
- Test, reflect, iterate
- Even if tests with children aren’t immediately possible
- Use simulated blurring and letter confusion tests on your materials.
- Self-test or test with peers for readability and emotional response.
- Be prepared to refine layouts and type choices based on feedback and observation.
