How to Help a Dyslexic Child Improve Their School Performance
Understanding Dyslexia: More Than Just Letter Confusion
You're not imagining it. Homework takes longer, reading aloud brings tears or avoidance, and school reports often feel like an unfair reflection of your child's intelligence. If your child has dyslexia, you're likely navigating a school system that wasn’t built with them in mind. But here’s the truth: dyslexia isn’t a learning disability—it’s a learning difference. And once you understand how your child’s brain processes information, you can create an environment where they can flourish.
Let’s take Léa, an imaginative 9-year-old who struggles to copy from the board and dreads reading assignments. Her parents were exhausted by nightly battles until they began focusing less on what she couldn't do (read quickly, spell correctly) and more on how she learned best: through stories, sound, and interaction.
Change the Lens: Redefining Success
One of the most powerful things you can do is shift the narrative about achievement. The goal isn't perfection—it’s progress. Celebrate small wins. Did they complete an entire paragraph without assistance? That’s a victory. Were they able to summarize a lesson in their own words? That counts more than getting every spelling word correct.
When your child sees that effort matters more than performance, stress levels go down and resilience grows. This kind of shift lays a stronger foundation than hours of drilling ever could. If your child comes to believe that school is a place where they can grow, instead of fail, everything changes.
Use Strength-Based Strategies to Match Their Learning Style
Dyslexic children often thrive with multisensory learning—methods that engage more than one sense at a time. If your child struggles with written instructions, try reading them aloud. If comprehension is tough, add images or act out the key concepts together. The trick is identifying the modes they connect with best.
For example, during long car rides, some parents play lesson reviews in audio format. One mom told me how her son started enjoying history when they listened to lessons transformed into audio adventures where he was the hero. Tools like Skuli make this possible, turning complex topics into customized audio stories that use your child’s name and voice-friendly language, keeping them engaged even outside school hours.
And if your child has a lesson they don’t quite grasp? A quick photo can be turned into a 20-question quiz, adjusted to your child’s level and learning pace. This gentle repetition reinforces understanding without the rote pressure of flashcards.
The Homework Hour: Soften the Edges
Dyslexic children are often mentally exhausted by the end of the school day—it’s not just schoolwork they’re doing, it’s translating every word into usable information. That’s why turning homework time into a positive experience starts with empathy, not enforcement.
Break tasks into shorter chunks, offer choices ("Would you rather do math or spelling first?") and allow frequent breaks. It’s not about letting them off the hook—it’s about creating a rhythm that matches their bandwidth.
A mini-routine might look like:
- 5 minutes discussing the goal
- 15 minutes of focused work
- 5-minute movement or drawing break
Repeat this cycle and sprinkle praise liberally. Even with a basic structure, you can build focus over time—just not by forcing it. Your child isn’t lazy; they’re working harder than most, just to keep up.
Collaboration Over Isolation
Teachers are partners in your child’s journey. If they haven’t already, ask if your child can have alternative assessments—like oral tests or answered questions embedded in audio format. Consider seating arrangements (can they sit closer to the board?) or tools like audiobooks and tablets equipped with text-to-speech software.
It’s also valuable to discuss how reviewing for tests can be more interactive. For instance, turning history notes into an engaging quiz—not a generic one, but something gamified and relevant—can transform dread into curiosity. That’s where resources like better memory tools really come into play.
Make Studying Fun—Yes, Really
You may be wondering: How can I turn study time into anything but a struggle? Start small. Bring in storytelling, hands-on projects, or visual aids. Maybe you read a science article together and then build a Lego model of it. Maybe your child summarizes books by drawing comic strips. Learning becomes joy when it feels like play.
Still unsure where to begin? Try one new approach this week. Pick a single subject and make it different—more playful, more audio or visual, more movement-based. This article outlines several ideas worth testing.
You're Not Alone—And Neither Is Your Child
Dyslexia doesn’t define your child. And it doesn't mean they can’t excel. Many brilliant minds—artists, entrepreneurs, composers, inventors—have had the same struggles. What made the difference? Supportive adults who helped them lean into their strengths and build confidence every step of the way.
So take a breath. There’s no perfect script. What matters is presence, patience, and a willingness to keep trying different doors until one opens. They’re counting on you. And with the right tools, mindset, and encouragement, they’ll get there—one story, one small success, one adventure at a time.