Is your child struggling with reading or spelling, and you’re wondering if it could be dyslexia? Maybe your child was recently diagnosed, and you’re trying to figure out what to do next.
I know it can feel overwhelming when your child is having a hard time and you’re not sure how to help. The good news is that there are things you can do at home and at school to support your child.
Hi, I’m Gabriella! I’m an educator and certified structured literacy dyslexia interventionist. Here at Zulie Mami, we talk about early childhood, literacy, and parenting. Today, I’m sharing 10 ways you can support your child with dyslexia and help them feel more confident as they learn to read.
First, What Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning disability that affects reading and spelling. It has nothing to do with how smart your child is or how hard they’re trying.
Every child is different, but you might notice that your child struggles to sound out words, remember spelling patterns, read smoothly, or recognize sounds in words.
If you’re noticing these challenges, talk with your child’s teacher or a qualified professional. Getting the right support early can make a big difference.
Now, let’s talk about what you can do to help!
1. Make Sure Your Child Is Getting the Right Reading Instruction
This is a big one! Children with dyslexia often need reading instruction that directly and systematically teaches them how sounds and letters work together, how to read unfamiliar words, and how spelling patterns work.
Talk with your child’s teacher or reading tutor about the curriculum they’re using and how they’re tracking your child’s progress.
If you’re homeschooling, take some time to research your reading curriculum and make sure it follows evidence-based practices.
Parent tip: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You have every right to understand how your child is being taught to read.
2. Talk With Your Child More
You’re probably already talking with your child all day, but those everyday conversations are important!
Talking helps children build vocabulary, learn new concepts, and understand how language works. All of these skills support reading comprehension.
Talk about your day, ask questions about their interests, or explain what you’re doing while cooking dinner. You don’t need to turn every conversation into a lesson.
Parent tip: If your child loves dinosaurs, talk about where they lived, what they ate, and why they’re different from animals today. Follow their interests and see where the conversation goes!
3. Read Together and Make It Fun
I know you’ve probably heard this before, but reading together really does matter!
Try different types of books, including picture books, nonfiction, graphic novels, and audiobooks. Let your child explore topics they enjoy, and don’t make every reading session feel like homework.
Reading aloud helps build vocabulary and comprehension. Decodable books can also give your child practice with the letter sounds and spelling patterns they’re learning.
If your child gets tired or frustrated, keep reading sessions short. You can always come back to it later.
Parent tip: Let your child pick the book sometimes. Even if they want the same story every night, that’s okay! We want reading to be something they enjoy.
4. Consider Getting an Evaluation
If you suspect your child has dyslexia, reach out to their school or a qualified professional to discuss an evaluation.
An evaluation can help you better understand your child’s strengths and challenges and figure out what support they need.
One important thing to remember: Your child doesn’t need a dyslexia diagnosis to get help with reading. If they’re struggling, you can start asking for support now.
I know evaluations can take time, and getting access to services isn’t always easy. Do what you can with the resources available to you, and keep advocating for your child.
Parent tip: Write down the reading challenges you’re noticing and any questions you have before meeting with your child’s teacher or a professional.
5. Get Support. You Don’t Have to Do This Alone!
Supporting a child with dyslexia can feel like a lot, especially when you’re trying to figure out what they need.
Your child’s support team might include their classroom teacher, a reading interventionist, a school psychologist, or other professionals depending on their needs.
Keep in touch with the people working with your child and ask how you can support their reading at home.
Parent tip: Keep important school notes, reading goals, and progress updates in one place. It’ll be easier to keep track of what’s working and what still needs attention.
6. Explore Accommodations That Can Help
Sometimes, a few small changes can make schoolwork feel more manageable for your child.
Accommodations help children access information while they continue building their reading skills. Here are a few things you might explore:
- Audiobooks: Let your child enjoy stories and learn new words without having to read every word themselves.
- Text-to-speech tools: These can read digital text aloud and help your child access assignments.
- Graphic novels: Pictures can help children follow a story and understand what’s happening.
- Shorter work sessions: Break assignments into smaller chunks and take breaks when needed.
- Extra time: Ask the teacher whether additional time or other ways to show what your child knows might help.
These supports don’t replace reading instruction, but they can make learning more accessible while your child continues to develop their skills.
Parent tip: Talk with your child’s teacher about what accommodations might be helpful at school and how you can use similar strategies at home.
7. Learn More About Dyslexia
The more you understand dyslexia, the better prepared you’ll be to support your child and ask for what they need.
I’ve put together a Dyslexia and Reading Resources for Parents directory with helpful books, podcasts, free library resources, and information about school support and scholarships.
Here’s something you might not expect. As some parents learn more about dyslexia, they begin to recognize similar struggles from their own childhood. Maybe reading aloud was difficult, or spelling has always been a challenge.
Dyslexia can run in families, so if any of this sounds familiar, it may be worth learning more about your own experiences, too.
Parent tip: Take it one step at a time. You don’t need to know everything about dyslexia overnight. Start with the questions you have right now.
8. Play Word Games Together
Learning doesn’t always have to happen at a desk with a workbook!
Playing with sounds and words can help children develop phonological awareness, which is an important part of learning to read and spell.
Here are a few easy activities to try:
- Play rhyming games with words like cat, hat, and bat.
- Clap out the syllables in your child’s name or favorite foods.
- Use magnetic letters to build words.
- Look for spelling patterns in words like light, night, and bright.
- Make up silly songs using words your child enjoys.
These activities can make language practice more enjoyable, but children with dyslexia may also need explicit, structured instruction in reading and spelling.
Parent tip: Use things your child already loves! If they’re into superheroes, animals, or sports, bring those interests into your word games.
9. Celebrate the Small Wins
Learning to read can take time, and progress doesn’t always happen in a straight line.
Some days, your child might read a tricky word with no problem. Other days, they might struggle with something they’ve practiced before. That’s okay!
Pay attention to the little things. Maybe your child tried a new strategy, asked for help, or stuck with a difficult word instead of giving up.
Let them know you noticed.
You might say, “I love how you kept trying!” or “You worked really hard to figure that word out!”
And don’t forget to celebrate the things your child enjoys outside of reading. Their creativity, kindness, humor, and other talents deserve just as much attention.
Parent tip: At the end of the week, ask your child to share one thing they’re proud of. It can be something small. What matters is helping them recognize their own progress.
10. Take Care of Your Child’s Overall Well-Being
Your child is so much more than a reading level or a spelling test.
Struggling with reading can be frustrating, and some children may start to feel discouraged or lose confidence. Make time to listen to your child and let them talk about how they’re feeling.
If reading has been especially hard that day, it’s okay to take a break and try again later.
Make room for outdoor play, rest, hobbies, and activities your child enjoys. Whether they love art, music, sports, building, or science, give them opportunities to explore those interests without everything becoming a lesson.
And parents, don’t forget about yourselves! Supporting a child with dyslexia takes time and patience. Reach out to other parents, teachers, or professionals when you need support.
Parent tip: Find a balance between reading practice and just being a kid. Your child needs time to learn, but they also need time to play, laugh, and relax.
Final Thoughts
If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this post, it’s that you don’t have to figure everything out at once.
Start with what your child needs most right now. Maybe that’s finding the right reading instruction, talking with their teacher, or making reading time a little more enjoyable.
Keep asking questions, keep learning, and remember to celebrate the small wins along the way.
Dyslexia doesn’t define your child, and reading struggles don’t determine what they’re capable of achieving.
With the right instruction, support, and encouragement, your child can continue building their skills and confidence. And you don’t have to do it all alone.
Need Extra Reading Support?
I offer one-on-one reading intervention for children in pre-K through third grade who struggle with reading or have dyslexia.
If you’re interested in learning more about tutoring and how I can support your child, click here.
Thanks for stopping by Zulie Mami! If you found this post helpful, share it with another parent who might need it. Sometimes, a little support and knowing where to start can make all the difference.