How to Help Your Dyslexic Child with Homework at Home

Understanding the Unique Struggles of a Dyslexic Child

It’s 6:30 PM. Dinner is done, pajamas are on, and now it’s time for homework. But instead of winding down for the evening, your child’s eyes well up with frustration as they stare at a page filled with what seems like foreign code. You feel stuck—torn between being patient and just wanting to get it over with.

If this sounds familiar, I want to tell you: you’re not alone. Helping a child with dyslexia navigate homework isn’t just about completing assignments—it’s about protecting their self-esteem and making learning feel possible.

Shift the Goal: From Finished to Understood

One of the most powerful shifts you can make as a parent is letting go of the perfection trap. Homework for a dyslexic child takes more effort—and it may look different than you expect. Prioritize understanding over correctness. Focus on your child’s effort rather than the number of right answers.

For instance, if your child is struggling to read a chapter, consider reading it together out loud. Discuss the story as you go. If it’s a math word problem, help them navigate the language before diving into the numbers. Homework shouldn't feel like a daily test—it should feel like practice with a teammate.

Redefine the Homework Space

Dyslexic children are often more sensitive to their environment. A busy, noisy, or cluttered space can escalate stress and reduce focus. Creating a calm, supportive homework area is crucial, even if you don’t have much space.

Consider using these simple strategies for creating a learning-friendly space. Whether it’s a tidy corner of the kitchen table or a foldable desk in the living room, consistency and comfort can greatly reduce homework friction.

Make It Multisensory—Every Chance You Get

Traditional written instructions can be overwhelming for dyslexic learners. But when lessons engage multiple senses—seeing, listening, touching—children can absorb information more easily and with less frustration. Try writing spelling words in sand or shaving cream, or using magnetic letters on the fridge. Turn math problems into stories. Draw parts of a sentence on different colored paper.

And when your child feels too tired to read, consider transforming reading materials into an auditory experience. This is where technology can be a helpful ally. Some parents have used apps like Skuli on their smartphones to turn written homework into custom audio adventures, where the child becomes the hero of the story—and their first name is embedded in the narrative. It doesn’t replace learning, but it reenergizes it with joy and personalization, allowing your child to absorb information on their own terms.

Break Time is Brain Time

If your child zones out mid-task, it might not be laziness—it might be mental fatigue. Dyslexic children often work twice as hard to do what comes naturally to others, so breaks aren’t a reward—they’re a necessity.

Use a timer: 20 minutes of focused work, followed by 5-10 minutes of play, movement, or a snack. Let them build Lego structures, shoot hoops, or simply stretch. These moments help reset the brain and keep stress at bay.

Be Your Child’s Emotional Anchor

More than anything, your child needs to feel emotionally safe during homework time. Dyslexia can chip away at confidence. If spelling or reading leads to tears, reassure them that making mistakes is part of learning—not a sign of failure.

You might say, “I see how hard this is, and I’m proud of how you're trying.” What your child hears in moments of struggle becomes their inner voice over time. Make it a kind one.

And remember, supporting doesn’t mean controlling. Getting through homework together is not about fixing all the mistakes, but about helping your child feel brave enough to try again tomorrow.

Change the Way You Review Lessons

Dyslexic children often need more time and repetition to master a concept—but that repetition needs to be engaging, not exhausting. Instead of rote drilling, turn lesson reviews into games or challenges.

For example, some parents snap a photo of their child’s handwritten notes and turn it into a quiz to play after dinner. It becomes a brief, customized review session tailored to your child’s pace. Approaches like this, which are subtly built into educational tools, help reinforce learning without the pressure of formal study.

For more ideas, here are fun and creative ways to make homework enjoyable.

Give Yourself Credit Too

Helping a child with dyslexia isn’t just a parenting challenge—it’s a powerful act of love, patience, and creativity. There will be days that feel like uphill battles. But there will also be days when your child reads a word on their own, solves a tricky problem, or smiles at their own progress—and you’ll know you helped make that happen.

Keep going. Breathe often. Ask for help when needed. You’re doing more than helping with homework. You’re helping your child build a foundation of self-belief.

And if you're wondering about how often you should review lessons at home, take a look at this reflection on daily review routines. You might find a rhythm that brings a little more peace to your evenings.

Final Thought

There’s no single way to support a dyslexic child—but with empathy, creative tools, and a steady presence, you’re giving them exactly what they need: the belief that no struggle defines them, and no challenge is faced alone.