How to Keep a Positive Relationship with Reading When Your Child Has Dyslexia
Understanding the Emotional Side of Reading with Dyslexia
If you're a parent of a child between 6 and 12 who has dyslexia, you've likely seen how quickly reading time can shift from a moment of closeness to one of frustration. Even when you understand that dyslexia is a neurological difference—not a lack of effort—it’s still tough to watch your child struggle with something so central to childhood and learning. Books open worlds, spark imagination, and build confidence. So what happens when your child starts associating reading with only stress and self-doubt?
The truth is, maintaining a positive relationship with reading when dyslexia is in the picture means shifting our expectations—and often, rethinking what “reading” even means. Your child may not find joy in printed words the same way others do. But that doesn't mean a love of storytelling, language, and learning has to disappear.
Redefining What It Means to Read
One of the biggest breakthroughs for many families comes when they let go of the idea that reading must always involve decoding text. Reading can be visual, auditory, interactive—and still deeply enriching. A child who listens to a story and imagines the scenes unfolding is engaging in a cognitive exercise just as valuable as one who reads it off the page.
Support your child's emotional relationship with reading by embracing a broader definition. Explore rich oral stories. Dive into illustrated graphic novels or books with dyslexia-friendly fonts and layouts. Even co-reading—where you take turns reading lines or paragraphs—can reduce pressure while keeping your child engaged.
And remember, not all dyslexia is the same. The type and severity of your child's dyslexia will influence how they respond to different reading formats. Stay open to trying new things, even if they don’t involve a traditional book.
Make Storytelling a Shared Experience
When your child begins associating reading with failure or embarrassment, one of the most powerful things you can do is bring back the joy of stories—without the pressure to perform. This is where oral storytelling or listening to stories together can become a bridge, not a crutch.
You might start a tradition of family storytelling nights, where every family member tells (or invents) a short story around a theme. Or you could explore ways to adapt oral stories to suit your child’s interests. The idea isn’t to replace reading altogether—it’s to keep that sense of connection and curiosity alive.
Plenty of research shows that oral storytelling supports language development, vocabulary, and comprehension—all crucial parts of literacy. You can learn more in this thoughtful piece: The Powerful Role of Oral Storytelling in Language Development for Children with Dyslexia.
Tools That Empower Without Pressure
Thankfully, there are now more tools than ever to help children with dyslexia enjoy books in formats that feel good. One of those tools is the LISN Kids App, which offers original audiobooks and episodic audio stories designed especially for kids ages 3 to 12. While your child listens, they’re absorbing story structure, character development, new vocabulary, and the rhythm of language—all without the mental fatigue that comes from trying to decode every word.
Apps like LISN Kids can also create a space for autonomy. Your child can choose what they want to listen to, follow along at their pace, and feel the pride of finishing a chapter or a whole story. That sense of achievement matters more than we often realize.
Reassurance in the Long Game
Many parents wonder: if my child listens to books instead of reading them, will they ever become spontaneous, independent readers? It’s a valid question, and one rooted in deep love. The short answer is yes—especially if we preserve their motivation and confidence in the meantime.
In fact, studies show that audiobooks can play a role in strengthening reading skills for kids with dyslexia. When children listen to well-narrated stories, they build mental models of fluent reading: tone, inflection, pacing. That internal model can later support their attempts to tackle text on their own.
But most importantly, keeping your child’s love for stories alive protects their identity as a learner. And that emotional foundation is the greatest asset they can have throughout school and life.
Let Their Strengths Lead the Journey
Your child may never love traditional reading—and that’s okay. But they might fall in love with stories, ideas, imagination, and expression in other powerful ways. Maybe they will be a verbal storyteller, an artist who draws stories, a podcast creator, or someone who passionately discusses mythology long after bedtime. Let their strengths steer you toward the learning paths that light them up.
It can also help to approach learning as something not limited to print. Audiobooks, music, drawing, constructing, and talking—these are all ways to explore the world. Tailor educational moments around what energizes your child, and you’ll likely see their confidence—and yes, even their reading—begin to grow.
For more ideas on how to reach and empower a child with both dyslexia and attention challenges, visit this practical guide: Dyslexia and Attention Struggles: How to Truly Engage a Child Aged 6 to 12.
Final Thoughts
If helping your child read has started to feel like a battleground, take a breath. You are not alone, and the path forward doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. Keep the joy of storytelling alive. Make reading an invitation, not a test. There are many ways to nurture connection through language—and your presence is still the most inspiring story your child will ever hold onto.