How to Create a Reading Routine That Truly Works for a Dyslexic Child

Why a Consistent Reading Routine Matters—Especially for Dyslexic Children

As a parent, you’ve likely already felt the emotional weight of watching your child struggle with something so many others seem to grasp effortlessly: reading. For dyslexic children, this seemingly simple skill can feel like a daily mountain they have to climb. But you’re not helpless. In fact, one of the most powerful tools in your toolkit might be something as deceptively simple as a reading routine. Not just any routine—one tailored to how your child learns best.

Establishing a routine means offering your child predictability and safety. It's not about pressure. It's about helping them experience success with reading that builds slowly and steadily over time. But to make that happen—and stick with it—it has to be created with intention, patience and a deep understanding of your child’s needs.

Start Where Your Child Is, Not Where You Wish They Were

A six- or ten-year-old with dyslexia may be reading below grade level—but that doesn’t mean they’re incapable of understanding complex ideas. The first step is shedding the unrealistic expectation that progress must mirror traditional benchmarks. Your routine should begin by honoring where your child is today, emotionally, cognitively, and scholastically.

This might mean reading aloud together, even if they’re nine. Or listening to audiobooks during breakfast or evening wind-down, instead of putting yet another worksheet in front of them after school. There’s no shame in that. In fact, there's strength in redesigning the path forward based on how your child learns best.

If you’re unsure whether your child is truly struggling with dyslexia or just experiencing a reading delay, this guide can help you identify early signs.

Consistency Over Duration

When starting a new reading routine, it's tempting to dive in with big goals—"20 minutes every night," or "a new book each week." But real progress often comes in small, repeatable steps. Think five to ten minutes a day at first. That’s it. Don’t underestimate how much a calm, judgment-free reading space can transform your child’s relationship with words.

Make reading part of an existing ritual: after brushing teeth, before TV time, or on the car ride home. Consider replacing screen-time with audio-rich stories where your child doesn’t have to decode words visually to enjoy them. Over time, small daily exposure builds confidence, stamina, and even enjoyment.

Use Multi-Sensory Strategies in Your Routine

One of the most powerful approaches for dyslexic learners is multi-sensory reading. This isn't about gimmicks—it's about engaging more than just the eyes. Reading can become an immersive experience when your child sees it, hears it, touches it, and speaks it.

Try this: choose a short paragraph and read it aloud while your child follows along with a finger or highlighter. Then switch—have them read it to you. Add a tactile element: let them tap each word or trace tricky letters in kinetic sand or on paper with textured markers.

For kids who learn better through listening, turning their lessons or readings into audio files can be a game-changer. Some tools, like the Skuli App, even let you transform the written content into personalized audio adventures—using your child’s name so they become the hero of the story. Suddenly, listening to their phonics review isn't just tolerable—it’s something they look forward to.

Choose the Right Books—and Rethink What Counts

Dyslexic children need books that match their interests and also make them feel accomplished—not overwhelmed. These might be graphic novels, high-low books (high interest, low reading level), or favorite picture books they’ve already memorized. Repetition builds fluency. Familiarity builds confidence.

And guess what? Comics, joke books, and even video game guides still count as reading. Stop pushing the idea that only “serious” literature builds reading skills. The goal is to make reading feel possible and even enjoyable. Once that door is open, more complex reading will follow.

Reading Shouldn't Mean Struggle Every Time

If your routine often ends in frustration—for your child or for you—it’s time to reevaluate. A child who consistently finds reading painful is unlikely to keep engaging voluntarily. It’s okay to admit that what you’ve tried isn’t working and start fresh. Consider reaching out for support, adjusting expectations, or introducing accommodations that truly help.

For example, this article outlines classroom strategies that can also be mirrored at home. It might be as simple as using color overlays, breaking up text into smaller chunks, or letting your child use their finger as a guide across the page.

And if your child is still reversing letters or confusing similar looking words, here's what that means—and what it doesn’t necessarily mean.

Empower, Don’t Push

Your job isn’t to fix dyslexia—it’s to walk alongside your child as they learn to thrive with it. That means celebrating small wins, staying calm on tough days, and continuously adapting your approach as they grow.

Reading routines aren’t about creating a high-performing reader in record time. They’re about creating a reader who doesn’t feel broken. Who knows that with the right tools, learning is still for them. And that learning can happen while snuggled under a blanket, listening to themselves as the main character of a story, their name spoken with confidence and pride.

For a deeper look at what you can expect on this journey, this article offers insight into how dyslexia evolves over time—and why your support matters every step of the way.