How to Prevent Reading Frustration: Support Strategies for Parents of Dyslexic Children

Understanding the Emotional Toll of Reading Struggles

Being a parent to a dyslexic child often means witnessing a complex and emotional journey through schoolwork—especially reading. You might see how the words on a page can become a source of stress, embarrassment, or even self-doubt for your child. Perhaps you've heard sighs, tears, or resistance when it's time for homework, or felt helpless watching their frustration mount with every page.

You're not alone. Dyslexia affects far more than just reading ability—it can influence a child's confidence, their relationship with school, and how they see themselves as learners. The good news? With patience, tools, and support, you can help ease this frustration and start building a relationship with stories and books that is positive and, better yet, pressure-free.

Shift the Spotlight Away from Performance

One of the hardest habits to break is measuring reading success by speed, accuracy, or fluency. But for a dyslexic child, these benchmarks can feel perpetually out of reach—and deeply discouraging. Instead of focusing on what they’re not yet able to do, focus on what they are doing: showing up. Trying. Listening. Imagining.

Celebrate effort, not outcomes. Did your child willingly sit down with a book today? Did they persevere through a tricky word or use a strategy to decode something? Frame these moments as wins—not because the text was perfect, but because they engaged. These small mental reframes can build resilience and lower the emotional stakes.

Make Reading Multisensory and Enjoyable

Children with dyslexia often benefit from hearing stories as a bridge to reading fluency. Listening activates understanding and imagination in ways that bypass the decoding difficulties they face on the page. If your child is avoiding books, try bringing stories to life through audio experiences.

Tools like the iOS and Android versions of the LISN Kids App offer original audiobooks and ongoing audio series designed especially for children from ages 3 to 12. Using just your phone or tablet, your child can immerse themselves in rich, age-appropriate narratives—without the pressure of decoding text. This fosters a love of story and boosts listening comprehension, both of which are essential literacy skills.

Storytime doesn't have to mean frustration. Sometimes, sneaking in reading in a new form—like while driving, resting, or winding down at night—can help a story stick without resistance.

Know When to Step Back, and When to Step In

If you've ever tried to sit beside your child as they trip over every other word, you’ve likely had the urge to correct, coach, or even take over. But research and experience suggest that constant correction can increase stress and diminish motivation. Instead of jumping in right away, try waiting a few seconds. Let your child attempt to self-correct. If they still struggle, offer a subtle prompt, like "What sound does that first letter make?"—and celebrate any step toward solving it.

If your child’s frustration escalates, it’s also okay to pause the session. Provide a break. Let them feel seen and heard in that challenge. Reassure them: This is hard, and that’s okay.

Create a Routine That Prioritizes Peace, Not Pressure

Instead of fighting nightly battles over books, build a gentle and consistent routine around reading. This might mean a short read-aloud session before bed, a shared audiobook over breakfast, or ten minutes after school curled up together with a graphic novel.

Consistency is key, but so is flexibility. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Our guide on creating a reading routine that works for a dyslexic child can help you shape a structure that suits your family’s rhythm, without overwhelming your child.

Let Vocabulary and Listening Lead the Way

Building a strong spoken vocabulary can dramatically help with reading confidence. When kids recognize words by ear, they’re more likely to identify them in print—even if decoding lags behind. One strategy is to engage your child in conversations with rich, descriptive language or listen to story-rich content that uses expressive vocabulary.

In fact, expanding your child’s spoken word base can serve as a foundation for reading comprehension later on. Explore more on this topic in our article How to Help a Dyslexic Child Strengthen Their Spoken Vocabulary.

And always remember: Listening to stories counts. Learn why in The Powerful Benefits of Listening to Stories for Dyslexic Children.

Help Them Fall in Love With Stories on Their Own Terms

Dyslexia doesn’t mean a child dislikes stories—just that the traditional way of accessing them is harder. Keep the joy alive by giving them control over how they encounter books. Let them choose the story. Say yes to graphic novels, comics, joke books, picture books, or anything that makes them feel successful.

Offer opportunities that feel empowering. For more ideas on encouraging story enjoyment without pressure, check out Helping Dyslexic Kids Fall in Love with Stories Without Pressure or Stress.

Final Words of Encouragement

Helping a dyslexic child build a positive relationship with reading isn’t always a straight line. Expect detours, setbacks, and surprising wins. Be kind to yourself, too—this is a learning curve for both of you. With support, the right tools, and a heartful of patience, you're already doing the most important part: showing up again and again.