Is your child struggling to learn to read?
Maybe they can read a word one minute but seem to forget it the next. Maybe they guess at words, struggle to sound out simple words, or become frustrated when it’s time to read.
You may be wondering:
- Is this normal for their age?
- Could my child have dyslexia?
- What are the early signs of dyslexia?
- When should I be concerned about my child’s reading?
- How is dyslexia diagnosed?
- What can I do to help at home?
Dyslexia can be difficult for parents to understand, especially when you’re watching your child struggle with something that seems like it should be getting easier.
We asked Heather McNulty, a reading expert, to help explain what dyslexia is, what signs parents should look for, and what you can do if your child is having difficulty learning to read.
And even if your child doesn’t have dyslexia, these strategies can be helpful for any beginning or struggling reader.
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a neurologically based condition that affects word-level reading accuracy, reading fluency and spelling.
It is often described as an unexpected difficulty in learning to read.
When children learn to read, their brains are learning to connect sounds with letters and then blend those sounds together to recognize words.
For example:
Sounds: /k/ /a/ /t/
Letters: c-a-t
Blending: /k/ /a/ /t/
Word: cat
For children with dyslexia, making these connections can be much more difficult and can require significantly more repetition and practice.
Why does my child keep forgetting words they’ve already read?
One common reason is that the word has not yet been orthographically mapped.
Orthographic mapping is the process the brain uses to connect the sounds in a word with the letters that represent those sounds.
This is why a child might successfully read a word on one page and then seem unable to recognize the exact same word on the next page.
They aren’t necessarily being inattentive or refusing to learn.
They may genuinely be seeing the word as if it is new.
Children who are learning to read need repeated exposure to words. Children with dyslexia may need considerably more exposure before those words become stored for automatic recognition.
That means repetition is an important part of learning to read.
Is it normal for a child to struggle when learning to read?
Yes. Learning to read takes time, and many beginning readers make mistakes.
The important question is not simply “Does my child make reading mistakes?”
Instead, look at what kinds of mistakes they are making, how frequently they occur, and whether they are making progress with appropriate instruction and support.
Some children also develop coping strategies that make their reading difficulties harder to spot.
For example, a child may become very good at guessing words from pictures or using context to work out what a sentence says.
These strategies can sometimes mask underlying difficulties until the reading demands become more challenging.
What are the early signs of dyslexia in children?
Signs of dyslexia can appear at a young age, although not every child will show the same signs.
Some common difficulties include:
- Trouble remembering the alphabet
- Difficulty learning letter sounds
- Difficulty recognizing or producing rhyming words
- Difficulty with oral wordplay
- Difficulty identifying sounds within words
- Difficulty blending sounds together
- Difficulty decoding unfamiliar words
- Guessing at words instead of sounding them out
- Using pictures to guess what a word says
- Difficulty remembering words they have just read
- Difficulty with reading fluency
- Difficulty with spelling
- Difficulty with letter formation or writing
- Becoming frustrated or tired during reading
- Difficulty with reading comprehension because so much effort is being spent decoding the words
Why does my child guess words instead of sounding them out?
A child who struggles with decoding may rely on other clues to figure out a word.
For example, they might see a picture of a horse and see that the word begins with p. Instead of sounding out the word, they might guess “horse” rather than reading “pony.”
This kind of guessing can be a sign that a child needs more explicit support with decoding and phonics.
Why does my child struggle to blend sounds into words?
Some children have difficulty holding the individual sounds in their minds long enough to blend them together.
For example, they may hear:
/c/ /a/ /t/
but by the time they reach the final sound, they have forgotten the first sound.
The result may be a word that sounds very different from what is actually printed on the page.
Does dyslexia run in families?
Yes. Dyslexia often runs in families.
If you struggled with reading as a child, it can be helpful to think about your own experience when considering your child’s reading development.
Ask yourself:
Was reading easy for me as a child, or did I struggle with it?
A family history of reading difficulties can provide another piece of information when you’re trying to understand your child’s experience.
How is dyslexia diagnosed?
A psycho-educational assessment through a psychologist is commonly used to assess for dyslexia and other learning difficulties.
There can be significant costs and wait times associated with private assessments, and school-based assessments may also have long waitlists.
Importantly, screening is not the same as a diagnosis.
Universal screening can identify children who are having difficulty with reading and provide information about the areas where they need support.
This means children can begin receiving appropriate support even while a formal assessment is being considered or while they are waiting for one.
Does my child need a dyslexia diagnosis to get reading support?
Not necessarily.
If your child is struggling to learn to read, you can talk to their teacher and school about what support is available.
Ask:
- What reading difficulties are you seeing?
- What screening has been done?
- What additional support is available?
- Can my child receive small-group or individual instruction?
- What phonics instruction is being provided?
- Is progress being monitored?
- When will we meet again to review their progress?
Early support matters.
You don’t necessarily need to wait for a formal diagnosis before talking to the school about your child’s reading difficulties.
What should I do if I think my child has dyslexia?
Start by gathering information about your child’s difficulties.
1. Have your child’s vision checked
Talk to an optometrist and make sure a vision problem isn’t contributing to your child’s reading difficulties.
2. Have your child’s hearing checked
An audiologist can check whether hearing difficulties could be affecting your child’s ability to learn sounds and language.
3. Talk to your child’s doctor
Let your doctor know that your child is struggling with reading and ask whether there are additional resources or referrals that may be appropriate.
4. Talk to your child’s teacher
Set up a meeting and explain what you’re seeing at home.
Ask what the teacher is seeing in the classroom and what support is currently available.
5. Ask about assessment
Find out:
- What assessments are available through the school?
- Has your child been screened?
- Is a psycho-educational assessment available?
- What is the expected wait time?
6. Learn about dyslexia
The International Dyslexia Association is a useful starting point for parents who want to learn more about dyslexia and reading difficulties.
You don’t need to learn everything at once.
Start with a few reliable resources and build your knowledge over time.
How can I help my child with dyslexia at home?
The most important thing is to keep reading practice manageable and positive.
A child who has spent the entire school day struggling with reading may not be excited about sitting down for another long reading lesson at home.
Start small.
Really small if you need to.
How can I build phonological awareness at home?
Phonological awareness is the ability to hear and manipulate the sounds in spoken words.
It includes skills such as:
- Identifying the first, middle and last sounds in a word
- Hearing and producing rhyming words
- Breaking words into syllables
- Putting syllables back together
- Adding sounds
- Removing sounds
- Changing sounds within words
And you don’t need a workbook to practise these skills.
You can turn them into quick games.
For example:
“What would fork say without the /f/?”
Your child might answer:
“ork!”
Then try another simple word:
“What would cup say without the /k/?”
Keep it short and fun.
Try these games in the car, while you’re eating dinner, on a walk or before bed.
Should I teach my child letter names or letter sounds?
When you’re working on early reading, spend time practising the sounds that letters represent, not just their names.
For example:
c → /k/
p → /p/
Be careful about adding an “uh” sound after consonants.
For example, saying /k/ as “c-uh” can make blending more difficult.
Compare:
/k/ /a/ /t/
with:
/k-uh/ /a/ /t-uh/
The first sequence is much easier to blend into cat.
What are some fun ways to practise reading sounds?
Try a sound-based version of “I Spy.”
Say:
“I hear with my little ear something that sounds like /g/ /a/ /p/.”
Start with simple CVC words such as:
- cat
- dog
- cup
- pup
If your child is struggling to blend the sounds after a few seconds, help them.
The goal is to build confidence and practise the skill—not create another frustrating reading experience.
What are decodable books and are they good for struggling readers?
Decodable books are books designed around the letter-sound patterns a child has already been taught.
This means a child should be able to sound out most of the words using the phonics skills they have learned.
To an adult, decodable books can seem repetitive or even boring.
For a child who has struggled to read independently, they can be incredibly empowering.
For the first time, a child may be able to read an entire page or book by themselves.
That feeling matters.
Should my child reread the same book?
Yes. Rereading can be extremely helpful for beginning and struggling readers.
Your child may need to read the same book:
- Once
- Twice
- Every night for a week
- Or even longer
Don’t worry if they can’t read it fluently the first time.
With repeated reading, children can build:
- Word recognition
- Fluency
- Confidence
- Orthographic mapping
You’ll know a book is becoming mastered when your child can read it more fluently, with fewer stops to sound out individual words.
How should I help my child when they get stuck on a word?
Give them time to work through the word.
If they need to sound it out, let them sound it out.
Once they have decoded it, have them read the word again.
Then ask them to go back and reread the entire sentence.
The goal is accurate reading—not simply getting to the end of the page.
And it’s completely okay if you only get through one page.
Your child is working hard.
What should I say when my child struggles with reading?
Try to praise the specific behaviour or strategy rather than simply saying “good job.”
For example:
“I love how you pointed to each letter and said the sound.”
“You reread that word without me asking!”
“You figured that word out by sounding it out.”
Specific praise helps your child understand exactly what they did well.
Most importantly, remind your child that struggling to read isn’t their fault.
Their brain may need a different kind of support and more practice.
How can I advocate for my child at school?
You know your child best, and you have an important role to play in advocating for them.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Some outdated ideas about reading difficulties still exist, such as:
“They’ll catch up in Grade 2.”
“They just need more time.”
“Boys develop later.”
Simply waiting isn’t always the best approach for a child who is struggling to learn to read.
Instead, ask the school:
- What specific reading skills is my child struggling with?
- What intervention will they receive?
- How often will they receive it?
- Will instruction include explicit, systematic phonics?
- How will progress be measured?
- When will we meet again to review progress?
How often should my child’s reading progress be checked?
Ask the school what assessment they will use at the beginning of an intervention and how they will monitor progress.
After several weeks, ask to compare the results.
The goal is to understand whether the support being provided is helping your child make progress.
What if my child’s teacher doesn’t know much about dyslexia?
Remember that teachers have different levels of training and experience with dyslexia and the science of reading.
Approach the conversation as a team whenever possible.
Be respectful—but be persistent.
If you aren’t satisfied with the support being offered, ask to speak with the Learning Resource Teacher or SERT and discuss what additional support may be available.
Your child’s teacher and school should be partners in helping your child succeed.
What should I tell my child about dyslexia?
Most importantly, make sure your child understands that struggling to read does not mean they aren’t smart.
Reading may simply require more work and more support for them.
You can say:
“Your brain learns some things differently. Reading might take more practice for you, but we are going to help you.”
Reading can be frustrating.
It can also get easier with the right support, instruction and practice.
Stay positive, celebrate progress and remind your child that they don’t have to figure it all out at once.
What are the most important things parents should remember about dyslexia?
If you’re worried about your child’s reading, remember:
You don’t have to wait for a diagnosis to start asking questions.
You don’t have to solve everything at once.
Small, consistent practice can make a difference.
Repetition is part of learning—not a sign that your child isn’t trying.
And perhaps most importantly:
Your child’s reading struggles are not a reflection of their intelligence.
You have already taken an important first step by paying attention to what your child is experiencing and looking for ways to help.
Dyslexia FAQs: Questions Parents Often Ask
What are the first signs of dyslexia in a child?
Early signs can include difficulty learning letter sounds, remembering the alphabet, rhyming, blending sounds, decoding words, spelling and remembering words they have recently read.
At what age can dyslexia be identified?
Signs can appear when children are very young, although some children develop coping strategies that make their difficulties harder to recognize. Screening can help identify children who need additional reading support.
How do I know if my child’s reading difficulties are normal?
Some reading mistakes are a normal part of learning to read. Look at the type and frequency of your child’s difficulties, as well as whether they are making progress with appropriate instruction.
Is dyslexia a learning disability?
Dyslexia is a neurologically based condition that affects word-level reading accuracy, reading fluency and spelling.
Can a child have dyslexia if they are good at other subjects?
Yes. Reading difficulty does not mean a child lacks intelligence or ability in other areas.
Does dyslexia run in families?
Yes. Dyslexia often occurs in families, so a parent’s own history of reading difficulties can be useful information when considering a child’s reading development.
Can dyslexia be diagnosed at school?
Schools may provide screening and assessment, but screening is not the same as a formal diagnosis. A psycho-educational assessment through a psychologist may be used to assess for dyslexia and other learning difficulties.
Does my child need a diagnosis before getting reading help?
No. Parents can talk to their child’s teacher and school about reading difficulties and ask what screening, intervention and support are available.
What is the best way to help a child with dyslexia learn to read?
Children with reading difficulties benefit from explicit, systematic instruction in phonics and opportunities to practise skills such as phonological awareness, decoding and blending.
Should I make my child read every night?
Reading practice can be helpful, but it should be manageable and positive. A child who is struggling may become tired or frustrated quickly, so start small and build from there.
Are decodable books good for children with dyslexia?
Decodable books can be helpful because they are designed around the letter-sound patterns a child has already been taught, allowing them to practise decoding words rather than relying on pictures or guessing.
Should I correct my child every time they make a reading mistake?
Help your child work through the word rather than simply telling them the answer. Encourage them to sound it out, blend the sounds and reread the word in the sentence.
Where can parents learn more about dyslexia?
The International Dyslexia Association is a useful starting point for parents looking for information and resources about dyslexia and reading difficulties.
Helpful Reading Resources for Parents
Phonological Awareness
- David Kilpatrick’s One Minute Drills
- Heggerty
Reading Games
- Teach Your Monster to Read
- PBS Kids Reading Games
Decodable Books
- BOB Books
- Half-Pint Kids
- Flyleaf Publishing Learner Resources
Learning to read can be a long journey, especially when your child is struggling.
But you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Start small. Ask questions. Work with your child’s school. Celebrate progress.
And keep reminding your child:
They can learn to read. They may just need a little more support getting there.
