For many children, reading opens the door to imagination, learning, and confidence. But for children with dyslexia or a literacy delay, that door can sometimes feel a little harder to open.
I often remind families that reading success doesn’t just come from skill-building—it also grows from enjoyment, connection, and consistency at home. Below are two key approaches that can help your child develop a love for reading while building the confidence they need to thrive.
1️⃣ Model and Nurture a Love for Reading
Children learn best by example. If you want your child to enjoy reading, be sure to let them see that reading is a normal, enjoyable part of everyday life. You heard me parents, that might mean you have to pick up a few books of your own and do some reading before bed, or instead of watching that second episode.
Show Reading in Your Everyday Routines
Try making reading a visible and shared activity. Stop by your local street library and choose a few books together. Browse, chat about the covers, and let your child pick something that looks fun or interesting. This simple act helps reading feel spontaneous and social.
Create Consistent Reading Routines
Routines give children a sense of security and structure, especially when it comes to reading. Try to build daily reading time into your family’s rhythm:
- Shared story time: Take turns reading pages together.
- Audiobooks: Listen to stories on the way to school or during quiet time.
- Online story readings: Watch a favourite book being read on YouTube.
These small, predictable habits help reading feel familiar and comforting rather than overwhelming.
Make your Home Reading-Rich
Consider how books are placed around your home. Are there storybooks within your child's reach? Maybe keep a few in the living room, the car, or beside your child’s bed. Having books visible and accessible keeps them top of mind and encourages spontaneous reading.
Explore Different Types of Reading
Reading doesn’t always mean sitting down with a novel! For many children, especially those with dyslexia or literacy difficulties, exploring different kinds of reading can make all the difference.
- Audiobooks are fantastic for children who find decoding tricky but still want to enjoy stories. Platforms like Audible or your local library often have great children’s options.
- Magazines, graphic novels, and comic books can grab your child’s attention with visuals and bite-sized text.
- Assistive technology, such as reading pens or tablet-based text readers, can make printed text more accessible. Ask your child’s speech pathologist about what tools may help.
- “Younger” or “older” books can also be valuable. If your child is drawn to them and you’re comfortable with the content, follow their lead. Engagement is more important than level.
By celebrating all forms of reading, you’re helping your child discover that stories belong to everyone, including them.
2️⃣ Get Professional Support for Reading Development
Alongside creating a reading-rich home, professional support can play an essential role in helping your child build the skills they need to become a confident reader.
At my clinic and in local schools, I provide speech therapy for reading using a specialised approach designed for children with dyslexia or literacy delays. Through evidence-based strategies, I help children strengthen:
- Phonological awareness (the ability to hear and work with sounds in words)
- Letter-sound knowledge
- Reading fluency and comprehension
- Confidence and enjoyment around books
Every child’s literacy journey is unique, and with the right support, progress truly happens.
Final Thoughts
Supporting a child with a literacy delay or dyslexia isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about creating opportunities for success, joy, and connection through reading. When home routines and professional therapy work hand in hand, your child’s confidence and love for reading can flourish.