How to Help a Dyslexic Child Strengthen Their Spoken Vocabulary

Understanding the Unique Challenges of Oral Vocabulary for Dyslexic Children

When your child struggles with dyslexia, it can sometimes feel like every part of learning becomes heavier—for them and for you. You want to hear them speak with more confidence, use more expressive words, and enjoy conversations without hesitation or frustration. But if reading and writing are already difficult, building a strong spoken vocabulary may feel just out of reach.

It’s important to remember that dyslexia affects more than just reading. Many children with dyslexia also experience difficulties with language processing, which can impact how they acquire and retrieve vocabulary in conversations. Spoken vocabulary, however, plays a critical role in their overall communication success, academic performance, and self-esteem. So the question is: how can we nurture it gently, without turning it into yet another stress point?

Talk Often, Listen More

One of the most effective ways to help your child expand their oral vocabulary is simply by engaging them in meaningful conversation—consistently and patiently. You don’t need flashcards or complex word lists. You need relationship, curiosity, and presence.

Take ordinary moments—mealtime, commutes, bedtimes—and turn them into verbal playgrounds. Instead of asking yes/no questions, try open-ended prompts: “What was the funniest part of your day?” or “If you could design your own animal, what would it look like?” These kinds of questions invite more elaborate responses and create space for new vocabulary to surface.

When your child struggles to name something or hesitates, don’t rush in to correct or finish their sentence. Pause with them. Ask: “Do you mean…?” or “Can you describe what it’s like?” By modeling patience and showing that communication doesn’t have to be perfect to be valuable, you help them find their voice—literally.

Bring Words to Life Through Stories

Children with dyslexia often become discouraged by reading because it feels like a constant uphill battle. But that doesn’t mean they don’t love stories or have a rich imagination. In fact, listening to stories can do wonders for a dyslexic child’s vocabulary—especially when the stories are vivid, engaging, and tailored to their age.

When stories are heard instead of read, the brain can focus on understanding plot, characters, emotions, and new words in a more relaxed state. Exposing your child to rich, diverse language through storytelling builds a natural foundation for vocabulary—and removes the pressure of decoding text.

One gentle and helpful tool is the iOS / Android app LISN Kids, which offers a library of original audiobooks and series specifically designed for kids aged 3 to 12. Because it’s completely audio-based, children with dyslexia can experience the joy of listening without frustration, and naturally absorb sophisticated language as part of their daily routine.

Pairing audio stories with conversation—"What did you think of the ending? Why do you think the character made that choice?"—encourages your child to practice their vocabulary, deepen comprehension, and express ideas in their own words.

Encourage Self-Expression Without the Pressure

For many children with dyslexia, school becomes a place where they worry about getting things “right”—and that fear can cross over into speaking. Helping them build oral vocabulary means making space where it’s okay to try, stumble, and try again.

Maybe your child loves drawing. Ask them to describe their drawings to you. Or maybe they adore building Legos—turn that into storytelling: “What’s happening in the world you built here?” Vocabulary grows when your child is using language they care about, not memorizing lists they’ll forget five minutes later.

Consider inviting richer language into your home by modeling it yourself. If your child says “It was good,” you might respond with, “Good? Like exciting-good or relaxing-good?” Little nudges can go a long way toward expanding their descriptive vocabulary.

If your child doesn’t like to talk about books, try exploring alternative forms of language-rich activities. Cooking together, crafting, or even watching documentaries can spark curiosity and introduce new words organically.

Make Word Discovery a Shared Adventure

Building vocabulary doesn’t have to feel like a lesson. In fact, the more playful you can make it, the better. Kids remember words better when they’re tied to emotion, humor, or discovery. Turn new words into inside jokes, draw pictures together to represent terms they find tricky, or invent stories using funny or unfamiliar words.

You can also create a “word jar” with your child. Every time they hear a word they find interesting or new, you write it down (or draw it) and place it in the jar. At the end of the week, pick a few and talk about them—where they heard it, what they think it means, and how they might use it.

This way, your child becomes the explorer, not just the student. As research suggests, when kids feel wonder instead of worry, learning becomes joyful—and far more effective.

Routine, Repetition, and Respect

Consistency is your best ally. Regular exposure to rich spoken language—through conversations, audiobooks, music, and play—helps make words stick. And repetition doesn't have to be boring. Reading or listening to the same story multiple times gives your child the chance to understand words more deeply each time.

Establishing a simple evening listening routine can offer this kind of beneficial repetition. If you need help structuring that rhythm, this guide on creating a reading routine that works for a dyslexic child offers thoughtful tips on how to make it work for your family—even on tired, chaotic days.

And most importantly, respect your child’s pace. Celebrate their efforts, their curiosity, and their voice—even if it’s quiet, hesitant, or still growing. Every word they use is a step forward, and every conversation you have is a gift they carry with them.