Supplementary file 1_Dyslexia screening? As easy as a game. The Starlex project: evidence from an Italian pilot study.xlsx

Within this perspective, the present study introduces Starlex, a serious game designed to screen pre-literacy skills in children aged 5–7 years, a critical stage for the development of foundational reading and writing abilities. Developed within a PNRR-funded project, the game comprises four mini-games aimed at assessing key predictors of reading acquisition, including visual discrimination and working memory.

Following an initial phase of playability and usability testing, Starlex was administered to a pilot sample of 84 children in early education contexts. Game-based performance was compared with standardized assessments targeting the same cognitive domains. Findings indicate that Starlex provides a promising and engaging approach to the early identification of learning-related difficulties, showing good alignment with traditional measures, as well as satisfactory levels of usability and acceptance among young learners.