How Can a Dyslexic Child Learn to Love Books Despite Their Challenges?
Understanding Where the Struggle Begins
If you're a parent watching your child battle through reading assignments with tears in their eyes or self-doubt creeping into their voice, you're not alone. Dyslexia doesn't just make words confusing on a page — it can deeply affect a child's confidence, curiosity, and relationship with books. And as a caring parent, you're probably asking yourself: How can I help my child love books when reading makes them feel defeated?
Books Shouldn’t Feel Like a Chore
For a child with dyslexia, reading a book can feel like trying to run through molasses. Every word decoded takes more effort than most of us can imagine. So it's no wonder that many dyslexic kids begin to associate books with stress rather than joy. But here's an important truth: loving stories and loving the act of reading them are two different things — and the first doesn't have to depend on the second.
The goal isn't necessarily to make your child fall in love with decoding text. It's to help them discover the beauty of storytelling — the characters that feel like friends, the worlds that expand imagination, and the humor and emotion buried in every plot twist.
Make Storytelling a Shared Experience
Reading time doesn’t need to be a solo battlefield. In fact, reading together as a family can be one of the most powerful tools to help reframe books as something safe and enjoyable. Whether it’s you reading to them, taking turns with sentences, or even older siblings joining in, the act of sharing stories in a supportive space can dramatically shift how your child views books.
Don’t worry about how many pages they read. Instead, focus on connection. Let them choose stories that excite them, even if it’s the same book over and over. That sense of familiarity can be comforting, even healing.
Break Away from Traditional Reading
When printed words feel like an obstacle, consider opening the door to different formats. Audiobooks, graphic novels, and illustrated chapter books can all serve as bridges between frustration and enjoyment. These formats support young readers by reducing demands on decoding while keeping the magic of the story intact.
In fact, accessible story formats can transform your child’s experience. Audiobooks, in particular, can give dyslexic children autonomy over their reading life. Imagine your child listening to a thrilling audio series under a blanket, giggling at dialogue, or pausing the story to guess what might happen next. That’s real engagement — and yes, it counts as reading.
Apps like iOS / Android LISN Kids offer a rich library of original audiobooks and audio stories tailored for kids ages 3 to 12. With stories across genres and ages, your child can explore adventures, mysteries, and friendships without the pressure of decoding text. The creative voice acting and immersive sound design help bring stories to life — especially helpful for children who are auditory learners.
Help Them Process the Emotions Around Reading
Sometimes, the biggest hurdle isn’t the reading itself — it’s the shame or fear that’s built up over time. It's not unusual for dyslexic kids to say things like, “I’m stupid,” or “I hate reading,” especially if school experiences have reinforced those messages, directly or indirectly.
Understanding the emotional layers behind your child's resistance to reading is key. If they’ve faced teasing, low grades, or feelings of failure, it makes sense that they might resist anything tied to reading. Be patient. Remind them that dyslexia is not a reflection of intelligence. Share stories of successful people with dyslexia. More importantly, celebrate progress in small — but meaningful — ways.
Redefine What “Being a Reader” Means
The most liberating shift for both you and your child is understanding that reading isn’t just about textbooks or silent independent reading. If your child loves listening to audiobook series, engages with graphic novels, or tells stories aloud, they are readers — just traveling a different path.
Some parents find it helpful to remove the pressure by focusing not on academic growth, but on moments of joy. Did your child laugh at a funny moment in a story? Ask to listen to the next chapter? Recognize a narrative pattern? Growth can look like many things.
Research shows that auditory storytelling can even support skills like memory, sequencing, and vocabulary — all of which can enhance reading readiness over time. So even if your child isn’t decoding text at this moment, they are still developing key cognitive skills through stories.
Give Them Time to Find Their Spark
Every child’s relationship with reading evolves at their own pace. If your child is 9, 10, or beyond and still struggling, that doesn't mean they're falling behind forever. It means they need a different path. There are ways to help a 9-year-old overcome reading-related anxiety that go beyond flashcards and phonics.
With your steady support, the right tools, and permission to experience reading in a way that fits them, your child may eventually discover that books — in whatever form — can be a source of connection, comfort, and delight.