How Reading Together as a Family Can Help a Dyslexic Child Thrive

When reading becomes a burden instead of a joy

If you're parenting a child between the ages of 6 and 12 who struggles with reading, you likely know how quickly frustration can build. Dyslexia transforms a once simple evening routine — storytime, homework, or independent reading — into a battlefield filled with tears, tension, and self-doubt. But what if that very routine, when reshaped with intention, could become a source of comfort and confidence instead?

Reading difficulties, especially those related to dyslexia, often impact more than just a child’s academic performance. They erode self-esteem and can cause children to feel isolated from their peers. One of the most powerful — yet often underestimated — tools you have as a parent is shared reading time. Yes, reading together as a family can be more than cozy bonding; it can also subtly and effectively support your child’s reading progress.

Why shared reading matters more than you think

The act of reading together doesn't need to be formal or instructional. It doesn’t require lesson plans, phonics drills, or even perfect pronunciation. What it does require is presence — your voice, your attention, and your willingness to meet your child where they are.

For a dyslexic child, reading aloud solo can feel like standing on stage with a spotlight highlighting every stumble. But shared reading changes the experience. It distributes the weight of the task — you read, they read, or you simply enjoy a story together. It reassures your child that reading isn’t something they have to tackle alone, and that the value lies not just in decoding words, but in the pleasure of the story itself.

The emotional ripple effect of family reading time

In many households, reading becomes associated with struggle. Over time, a dyslexic child may internalize that struggle as failure. By approaching reading as a family activity — one that’s low-pressure, conversational, and warm — you can begin to rebuild their emotional relationship with books.

When you share laughs over a story, imagine characters together, or pause to ask, “What do you think will happen next?”, you’re not only helping them develop literacy skills. You're repairing how they feel about stories, words — and themselves. Understanding the emotions behind reading becomes essential for unlocking learning, especially in children who carry shame or anxiety around books.

Listening as a path to reading

For many dyslexic children, auditory learning can be a powerful ally. Listening to stories activates language comprehension without the visual strain that often accompanies dyslexia. Audiobooks aren’t a substitute for reading — they’re a companion. They expose children to rich vocabulary, complex sentence structures, and the rhythm of language in an accessible way.

An app like iOS / Android LISN Kids, which offers original audiobooks and audio series for children aged 3 to 12, can be a fantastic complement to family reading time. Whether you're on a car ride, cooking dinner, or winding down before bed, enjoying an audiobook together can reinforce the storytelling bond — and build background knowledge they’ll later draw upon while reading independently.

How to make shared reading work for your unique child

There’s no one way to read together, and it’s okay to experiment. The key is consistency and compassion. For some families, bedtime stories may be the anchor. For others, Sunday morning read-and-snuggle time could become the tradition.

If your child resists reading altogether, start by building confidence indirectly. Let them choose the story. Invite them to follow along while you read aloud. Have open-ended chats about the characters. Introduce their favorite topics through books — whether that’s dinosaurs, cooking, or outer space. Slowly, without pressure, they’ll begin to find their way in.

You might also alternate roles. Let your child be the storyteller using pictures while you supply words. Or try echo reading — you read a sentence, they repeat it. These multisensory strategies, as explored in this article on engaging dyslexic learners differently, allow children to use their strengths and build neural pathways that support literacy.

When patience replaces pressure, progress follows

Your child won’t improve overnight, and that’s okay. Reading progress doesn’t always show up in test scores or fluency levels. Sometimes it reveals itself in a child asking you to read just one more chapter. Or in the quiet confidence of recognizing a tricky word. Or in the proud moment they offer to read aloud to a younger sibling.

If your child shows signs of anxiety around books, take a step back and reflect. Are they associating reading with punishment? Shame? Performance? It may help to review this guide on supporting kids with reading anxiety.

The legacy of family reading: resilience and connection

Reading together nurtures more than literacy skills. It builds rituals of connection. It tells your child, day after day: “You’re not alone. I’m here with you. We’ll figure this out together.” And in a world where your dyslexic child might feel different or left behind, that reassurance is one of the most healing gifts you can offer.

And remember — while decoding words is vital, so is feeling seen, heard, and delighted by stories. Let that be your North Star.

For a deeper understanding of how listening and reading can work hand in hand, you may find this article on complementary learning approaches insightful. And if you're wondering about early intervention and what helps even before school age, this reflection on preventing reading difficulties in preschool offers helpful perspective.