The Benefits of Listening to Stories for Children with Dyslexia

When words become a struggle, stories can become a lifeline

If you're parenting a child with dyslexia, you already know how hard the simplest school task can become. Reading out loud turns into an uphill climb, homework stretches deep into the evening, and books — once a potential joy — can feel like enemies. You see your child withdraw, questioning their abilities, comparing themselves to siblings and classmates. And in those moments, you find yourself asking: How can I help my child feel capable, smart, and inspired again?

One answer might be simpler than you think. Not a worksheet. Not a new app with games and rewards. But stories. Told aloud, shared in a gentle voice — sometimes human, sometimes recorded, always reassuring. Listening to stories can offer children with dyslexia both comfort and confidence, nurturing the love of language without the pressure of decoding text.

Listening is learning — without the frustration

For many children with dyslexia, reading is an exhausting task. Their brains interpret written symbols differently, which slows down decoding and can make words feel like puzzles that never quite fit. This often leads to frustration, avoidance, and even anxiety around schoolwork.

But spoken stories bypass that obstacle. Audio storytelling allows children to experience rich language, complex vocabulary, and imaginative narratives — without the strain of reading. When a child listens to a story, they are still building listening comprehension, narrative understanding, and even vocabulary. They're just doing it in a way that plays to their strengths.

An active listening practice can also lay the groundwork for future reading. Once the fear and fatigue are removed from the equation, children start to reconnect with the joy of stories. They may even become more curious about reading itself — not because they have to, but because they want to understand more of the worlds they're hearing about.

Reclaiming bedtime and bonding moments

Many families find that bedtime becomes another battleground when reading is hard. Instead of books being a winding-down ritual, they become a reminder of difficulty. Children may resist reading on their own or dread 'DEAR time' (Drop Everything And Read) assignments.

Listening to stories, however, can transform bedtime. An audiobook or narrated series can give your child something to look forward to — a ritual that still builds language skills, while also inviting calm and connection. Some children, especially those with sensory sensitivities or anxiety, find great comfort in the consistency of a voice they trust.

This is where an app like LISN Kids can be especially helpful. Designed for children ages 3 to 12, it offers a wide selection of original audiobooks and audio series tailored to kids’ imaginations and attention spans. Whether you're using iOS or Android, LISN Kids becomes a practical way to build storytime into daily life — even when parents are too tired to read aloud every night.

Reinforcing self-esteem and independence

Listening to stories doesn’t just support language acquisition — it also supports emotional growth. Children with dyslexia often receive implicit messages that they’re not trying hard enough or not keeping up. Audiostories allow them to engage with age-appropriate content, develop opinions, follow plots, and build a sense of accomplishment — all at their own pace.

In fact, developing an independent listening habit can be empowering. When children choose a story for themselves, press play, and immerse in a world without adult help, it encourages autonomy. Combined with gentle parental support, this can build greater self-confidence at a time when many kids start to doubt their abilities.

And let’s not forget — stories are a safe space to explore emotions, challenges, and social situations. Whether it’s fear, frustration, or feeling different, many children find emotional resonance in characters who struggle and grow. Sharing these audio journeys together can also help you, as a parent, understand how your child might be feeling — offering story as a bridge between you.

Creating a daily ritual of relaxation

After a long day of school, tutoring, and effortful tasks, your child needs space to breathe. Audio stories can offer that safe place — a decompression ritual that resets their mood. Whether in the car, after dinner, or right before lights out, having a predictable and rewarding listening time can ease the stress and overstimulation many children with dyslexia carry home.

If you're building a daily habit of relaxation, you might find inspiration in this guide on encouraging calm through audio stories.

Letting go of the pressure — embracing connection

At its heart, this approach is not just about listening. It’s about changing how we view literacy. Yes, reading matters — and your child will continue to develop their skills with support, over time. But stories exist beyond the printed page. By offering them in a format your child can truly enjoy, you’re helping plant the seeds of curiosity, confidence, and imagination.

So tonight, don’t worry if they don’t pick up a chapter book. Turn on a story. Sit beside them. Let words become music again — not a task, but a gift you share together. You’re still teaching, still nurturing, still guiding. But now, you’re doing it on your child’s terms.

If you’re curious about using storytelling to address emotional challenges as well, consider reading about helping children face fears through storytelling.