Supporting a child with dyslexia does not mean spending hours doing extra worksheets. Small, consistent changes at home can make reading practice feel more manageable and positive.
Here are 5 simple strategies parents can try:
1. Keep reading practice short
Long reading sessions can become tiring and frustrating. Try 10–15 minutes of focused practice instead, and stop while your child is still feeling successful.
2. Practise sounds and words directly
Instead of asking your child to guess an unfamiliar word, help them look at the letters and work through the sounds. For example: ship → /sh/ /i/ /p/ → ship. Explicit teaching of sounds, spelling patterns and word reading is an important part of Structured Literacy.
3. Use more than one way to practise
Children can say, hear, see, write and build words. For example, ask your child to:
- say the sounds
- tap or move a counter for each sound
- write the word
- read the word again
Using different ways to practise can make learning more engaging and help children connect sounds, letters and words.
4. Read together
You do not always have to ask your child to read the whole book independently. Take turns reading — you can read a sentence, then let your child read the next one. Most importantly, keep reading enjoyable. Talk about the pictures, characters and story.
5. Praise effort, not just accuracy
Reading can be hard work for a child with dyslexia. Instead of focusing only on mistakes, notice the effort: “You worked hard to sound out that word.” “You didn’t give up when that word was difficult.” Specific encouragement can help children feel more confident about learning.
Remember: support should be individualised
There is no single strategy that works for every child. Children with dyslexia may have different strengths and areas of difficulty. Effective support should be based on what the child needs and should include appropriate, explicit instruction.
The International Dyslexia Association describes Structured Literacy as an approach that explicitly and systematically teaches the structure of spoken and written language. It is an approach, rather than one specific programme.
A little support can go a long way
Your child does not need hours of practice every day. What matters is having the right strategies, regular practice and encouragement. If reading continues to be difficult despite support, consider speaking with a teacher or learning professional to better understand your child’s needs.
At Joyeux, we work with children and families to understand individual learning needs and develop practical strategies to support progress. Every child learns differently — with the right support, reading can become a more positive experience.
References
International Dyslexia Association. (2019). Structured literacy: Effective instruction for students with dyslexia and related reading difficulties. https://dyslexiaida.org/structured-literacy-effective-instruction-for-students-with-dyslexia-and-related-reading-difficulties/
International Dyslexia Association. (2025). Definition of dyslexia. https://dyslexiaida.org/definition-of-dyslexia/