Best Audio Tools to Help Your Dyslexic Child Understand Written Lessons

When Words on a Page Feel Like Walls

Imagine this: Your child comes home with a piece of homework—just a short passage to read. But the moment they look at the page, their shoulders slump, their jaw clenches, and you know what’s coming. The struggle. The frustration. Another evening where a simple homework task becomes a minefield of self-doubt and exhaustion, for both of you.

If your child is dyslexic, you’ve probably lived this scene many times. Reading a basic text can feel like deciphering code. It’s not about effort—your child is trying—but their brain just doesn’t process language the same way. So what if, instead of making reading the only path to understanding, we opened another door?

Listening as a Way In: Why Audio Can Change Everything

Many children with dyslexia are strong auditory learners. They may struggle with the printed word but show amazing retention when they hear stories, explanations, or conversations. Research supports the idea that audio formats can make learning more accessible and even enjoyable for dyslexic children. And luckily, technology gives us a range of tools to make that happen.

Audio isn’t just a workaround—it’s a way to help your child feel smart and capable again. When your child can absorb a lesson without the stress of decoding it, their confidence comes back. And isn’t that what every parent wants: for their child to feel good about learning?

A Quiet Revolution: From Print to Sound

Let me tell you about a mom I spoke to recently—Mélanie. Her 9-year-old son, Léo, would panic every time he saw his reading workbook. Mélanie said it wasn’t just the words, it was how defeated he felt by them. So she tried something new. She started reading the text aloud to Léo while they drove to school. It changed everything.

“He started smiling again when we talked about school,” she told me. “He’d remember things I’d read days before. I realized reading wasn’t the enemy—it was the visual part that tripped him up.”

Now Mélanie uses tools that automatically convert lessons into audio formats, so that Léo can listen on the way to soccer or while coloring at home. One of the tools she loves? An app that transforms written lessons into audio adventures—and not just any adventures, but ones that turn her son, Léo, into the hero of each story. You can even hear the storyteller use his actual name, making the story that much more magical. The feature is just one of the ways the Skuli App supports auditory learning, alongside versions that turn photos of schoolwork into quizzes or narratives your child can listen to when reading isn't an option.

Helpful Tools to Transform Text into Audio

So where do you begin if you want to help your child learn through listening? Here are several ways you can start transforming written content into sound, whether it’s homework, books, or lessons from class:

• Read Aloud Yourself: This is basic but powerful. Your voice is a source of comfort, and hearing lessons in a gentle, familiar tone can ease the stress of new material. Try recording yourself so your child can replay it later.
• Use Built-in Tech: Devices like smartphones and tablets often have built-in text-to-speech settings. On iPads, for example, you can turn on the “Speak Selection” feature to have the device read any highlighted text out loud.
• Audiobook Platforms: Services like Audible or Bookshare (which is designed for people with reading disabilities) offer access to thousands of books in audio format, ideal for school reading assignments.
• Interactive Learning Apps: Some educational apps allow you to scan or input a lesson and convert it into an engaging listening experience. As mentioned above, apps like Skuli use audio storytelling to make academic content not only easier to understand, but more fun too.
• Educational Podcasts: If your child enjoys stories or wants to deepen their understanding of a subject, there are many kid-friendly podcasts available that are specifically curated for children with different learning styles.

Beyond Access: Creating a Listening Ritual

Bringing more audio into your child’s life isn't a one-time fix. It’s something that works best when it becomes part of your family’s rhythm. Maybe you choose a specific time—after dinner, during car rides, or just before bed—when your child can listen to their lessons or stories. Creating that dependable routine turns listening into a trusted ally, not just a coping tool.

Not sure where to start building that habit? We’ve put together some tips in our guide on creating a sustainable learning routine for dyslexic learners. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about consistency, curiosity, and connection.

The Bigger Picture: It’s Not Just About Homework

Giving your child access to text through audio isn’t just about finishing a worksheet—it’s about opening doors. It’s about reminding them they are capable, intelligent learners who just process the world differently. It’s about reminding you that your child doesn’t need to be "fixed"—they need tools, support, and belief.

Alongside these tools, consider how your child’s school might partner with you. Some classrooms offer accommodations like audiobooks, oral tests, or lesson recordings. If you haven’t already, explore what school accommodations could make your child feel less alone in their learning journey.

One Step at a Time

You don’t need to overhaul your child’s learning overnight. Choose one moment this week to experiment—maybe you record yourself reading a maths exercise. Maybe you test out an app while waiting in line at the pharmacy. Every little shift plants a seed.

This road can feel lonely. But know this: You are not alone. There are proven strategies, beautiful tools, and a growing community working toward one goal—to support your child in learning the way they learn best.

And every time you adapt a lesson to your child’s unique style, you’re not just helping them understand information. You’re telling them, in a thousand quiet ways: "You are seen. You are smart. You can do this."