How to Build a Trusting Environment Around Reading for a Dyslexic Child

Understanding the Emotional Weight of Reading Difficulties

If you're reading this, there's a good chance you're navigating evenings filled with books, frustration, and maybe even tears. Reading doesn't come easily to your child, and you're not just worried about letter sounds—you’re fighting to protect their self-esteem. When a child is diagnosed with dyslexia, it’s not only their learning approach that needs adjusting. It's the entire emotional atmosphere around reading that must gently shift.

Dyslexic children can internalize their struggles deeply, often associating reading with failure, embarrassment, or feeling "less than". Their peers may breeze through paragraphs while they stumble to decode a sentence. What they need isn’t just intervention but encouragement that feels genuine, safe, and pressure-free. Creating a climate of trust around reading isn’t an overnight task—it’s a daily practice of empathy, patience, and attuned support.

The Role of a Trust-Based Reading Environment

Contrary to popular belief, a child’s willingness to engage in reading has more to do with emotional security than phonics drills. When a child feels reassured that their efforts, however small, are valuable and free from judgment, they become more open to exploration and learning. A trusting reading environment means your child believes the following:

• They can make mistakes without feeling ashamed.
• Reading is about connection, not performance.
• They are not alone in their struggles.

So how do we begin building that trust-based space around books?

Start by Redefining What “Reading” Means

For many kids with dyslexia, traditional reading becomes a reminder of what’s “not working.” To restore confidence, shift the focus from decoding text to receiving and enjoying stories. Reading can happen through listening, interaction, and imagination. Audiobooks and storytelling aren’t crutches—they're legitimate literacy experiences that help kids internalize language structure, vocabulary, and narrative flow.

Incorporating audiobook platforms like the LISN Kids App—available on iOS and Android—can shift the energy around story time. With original audiobooks and series tailored for children aged 3–12, LISN Kids offers a fluid, joyful gateway into the world of stories. Parents can listen together with their child, turning storytime into a shared, nurturing experience rather than a stressful task.

Be a Co-Explorer, Not a Coach

It’s tempting to shift into teaching mode when your child struggles, offering corrections at every misread word. But this can increase anxiety and make reading feel like a performance. Instead, step into the role of a companion. Sit beside your child as you read to them or listen together. Ask reflective questions like, “What do you think will happen next?” or “Which character do you like best?” These types of questions move the focus away from accuracy and toward engagement.

If your child does read aloud, celebrate the effort more than the result. Research shows that emotional safety boosts resilience and curiosity—which are often more important than reading speed or correctness in the long term.

Create Rituals Around Reading

One of the simplest ways to transform reading into a safe, trusted activity is to embed it into comforting rituals. Maybe each evening ends with listening to a chapter while snuggled under a blanket. Or weekends begin with pancakes and the next episode of an audiobook series. Consistency and predictability go a long way in making reading feel secure.

These rituals also convey a powerful, unspoken message: reading is not something your child has to earn through achievement—it’s something they deserve simply because stories are for everyone.

Let Them Choose the Path

Empower your child by letting them pick the books or audio stories they want to hear. This autonomy builds trust in themselves and in you—because you’re showing faith in their choices. Whether it’s fantasy, animal adventures, or silly comics, the genre doesn’t matter as much as the act of choosing. Even letting them revisit beloved stories over and over can bring comfort and reinforce language patterns without pressure.

Need ideas? Here’s an overview of great book selections for 9-year-olds with dyslexia, including accessible formats and story themes that engage even the most reluctant readers.

Acknowledge the Journey—Out Loud

Sometimes we forget to say what our children most need to hear: “I see how hard you're trying, and I’m so proud of you.” Make it a point to name your child’s progress, even if it’s something as small as sticking through one full chapter without giving up. Their reading journey won’t be linear—and neither will your efforts as a parent. But every moment of connection and patience plants seeds of confidence.

And when setbacks happen—as they will—that’s also an opportunity to show your child that mistakes are safe, and growth takes time. Explore alternative support strategies beyond schoolwork. Education isn’t limited to homework sheets—it can flourish over shared stories, meaningful conversations, and the quiet act of simply listening together.

When Reading Is Nurture, Not Pressure

In the end, helping your dyslexic child thrive in reading isn’t only about phonemic awareness or word recognition—it’s about building an unshakeable sense that they are capable, loved, and not alone in their struggles. When reading becomes a shared moment rather than a solitary test, your child is far more likely to step into it with confidence and joy.

You're not expected to have all the answers. But the simple act of showing up with kindness, curiosity, and quality tools—like audiobooks, alternative formats, and open-ended conversations—can turn reading into a source of connection rather than conflict.