Strategies for Teaching Reading to Children with Dyslexia

25 March 2026

Dyslexia. It’s that tricky little word that makes reading feel like an obstacle course for some kids—jumping over letters, dodging confusing spellings, and occasionally crashing straight into frustration. But don’t worry! If you’re a teacher or a parent trying to help a child with dyslexia navigate the wonderful (yet occasionally confusing) world of words, you’re in the right place.

Teaching reading to children with dyslexia requires a mix of patience, creativity, and a sprinkle of humor—because, let’s be honest, sometimes English spelling just doesn’t make sense. (I’m looking at you, "knight" and "gnome.")

So, grab a cup of coffee (or a stress ball), and let’s jump into some fun, effective, and frustration-free strategies for teaching kids with dyslexia how to read like champions!

🎯 Understanding Dyslexia: More Than Just Letter Reversals

Before we jump into the strategies, let’s bust a common myth: Dyslexia is NOT just about mixing up letters. It’s a brain-based learning difference that affects how kids process written language.

Kids with dyslexia often struggle with:

- Decoding words (sounding out letters and blending them together)
- Recognizing sight words (because memorizing words like "though" and "enough" feels like solving a Rubik’s Cube)
- Spelling phonetically (because English breaks its own rules all the time)
- Reading fluency & speed (they might know the words but can’t easily recognize them in a sentence)

Now that we know what we’re up against, let’s roll up our sleeves and tackle these reading challenges head-on!

📖 1. Use the Orton-Gillingham Approach (Because Science Says So)

This fancy-schmancy method is basically the superhero of dyslexia-friendly reading instruction. Orton-Gillingham focuses on phonemic awareness, structured spelling rules, and multisensory learning.

How does it work?

- Explicit phonics instruction – Teach kids letter sounds and spelling rules step by step.
- Multisensory techniques – Combine visual (seeing letters), auditory (hearing sounds), and kinesthetic (writing in sand, tracing letters) methods.
- Repetition, repetition, repetition! – Dyslexic brains need extra practice to make reading automatic.

Think of it like learning to ride a bike—except instead of balance and pedals, it’s letters and sounds!

🔄 2. Go Multisensory (Because Who Wants to Sit Still Anyway?)

Kids with dyslexia often struggle with traditional, sit-at-your-desk-and-read methods. So, let’s shake things up!

Fun multisensory activities:

- Sandpaper letters – Let kids trace letters with their fingers to connect touch and sight.
- Shaving cream writing – Who doesn’t love a mess? Let them write words in shaving cream for extra engagement.
- Jumping letters – Tape letters to the floor and let kids hop between sounds to spell words.
- Skywriting – Have them write words in the air with their fingers or pretend wands like little reading wizards.

When kids engage multiple senses while learning, their brains make stronger reading connections—like turning on multiple WiFi signals instead of relying on a single weak connection!

🎵 3. Make Phonics Fun (Because Drills Are Boring)

Phonics can feel like learning a secret code—but instead of making it a tedious mission, turn it into a game!

Phonics games to try:

- Phonics hopscotch – Write letters or word chunks on hopscotch squares and have them jump to spell words.
- Silly word rhymes – Challenge kids to come up with rhyming words, even if they’re nonsense (because who doesn’t love a good "wibber-flibber" now and then?).
- Mystery word puzzles – Give them clues to sound out words like detectives on a top-secret mission.

Phonics doesn’t have to feel like math class. The more playful, the better!

👂 4. Audiobooks Are Not Cheating! (Let’s Say That Again...)

Some kids with dyslexia can comprehend stories at their grade level but struggle with actually reading the words. Enter: audiobooks!

Listening to stories while following along in a book helps kids:
✔ Improve vocabulary
✔ Hear fluent reading
✔ Get exposed to new words without frustration

Plus, let’s be honest, even adults love a good audiobook when driving or cleaning. Why not let kids enjoy them too?

Pro tip: Try apps like Learning Ally, Audible, or Epic! for audiobook options.

🎨 5. Use Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts & Tools

If reading feels like a swirling mess of letters, it’s time to bring in some tech and tricks!

Helpful tools:

🖥 Dyslexia-friendly fonts (like OpenDyslexic) make letters clearer.
📖 Colored overlays can reduce visual stress and letter blurring.
📱 Speech-to-text apps allow kids to dictate their thoughts instead of struggling with spelling.

It’s like giving kids reading glasses for their brains—instantly making things clearer!

⏳ 6. Give Extra Time & Reduce Pressure

If reading for a dyslexic child feels like running a marathon in flip-flops, then expecting them to "just read faster" won’t help.

Instead, provide:
✔ Extra test time
✔ Shorter reading assignments
✔ Oral instead of written responses when possible

Reading isn’t a race. Let kids go at their own pace, and they’ll build confidence instead of frustration.

🎭 7. Role-Playing and Acting Out Stories

Struggling readers might not enjoy sitting with a book, but they might love performing a story!

Try these drama-based reading strategies:

- Reader’s theater – Let kids act out stories instead of just reading them.
- Puppet shows – A sock puppet telling a story? Yes, please!
- Story retelling with props – Have kids use toys or action figures to retell stories they've read.

Reading doesn’t have to happen just on the page—sometimes, bringing stories to life makes them stick.

🔥 8. Celebrate Small Wins (Because Progress Is Progress!)

Mastering reading with dyslexia takes time, and every little achievement deserves a victory dance.

Encourage progress by:

🎉 Keeping a reading progress chart
🎉 Setting small, achievable goals
🎉 Rewarding efforts (stickers, high fives, or an extra bedtime story)

Sometimes, a kid just needs to hear, “I see how hard you’re trying, and you’re doing amazing!”

🎯 Wrapping It Up: Every Child Can Succeed

Teaching reading to a child with dyslexia isn’t about fixing them—it’s about finding what works for their unique brain. Whether it’s through multisensory learning, phonics games, or simply giving them extra time, the goal is to make reading feel like an adventure, not a chore.

And hey, if words like "through" and "enough" don’t make sense even to fluent readers, who can blame kids for struggling? Let's make reading fun, engaging, and frustration-free—one silly phonics game at a time!