How to Motivate a Dyslexic Child to Read More (Without a Daily Struggle)

Understanding the Emotional Side of Reading Struggles

"He hates reading. Every time I suggest it, I feel like I’m asking him to clean the gutters." This is what a parent once told me about her 9-year-old son, recently diagnosed with dyslexia. And I understood her completely. For many parents of children with dyslexia, reading doesn't feel like a cozy bedtime routine, but rather a battlefield of resistance, frustration, and self-doubt — on both sides.

Dyslexia doesn't just affect reading fluency; it touches a child's confidence, their relationship with school, and how they see themselves as learners. So when we talk about motivation to read, it's not just about picking the right books. It's about rebuilding trust — in reading, in school, and in themselves.

Start Where They Are — Emotionally

Motivation doesn't begin with skills. It begins with emotion. If reading has become a source of shame or failure, no app, method, or book will magically fix that until we deal with how the child feels about reading.

Start with honest conversations. Tell your child it's okay to find reading hard. Let them know it's not a race. Share stories about athletes, scientists, or artists who had to practice deeply to get where they are — some of them with dyslexia too.

And most importantly, listen. When your child pushes back, try not to rush in with solutions. Ask what makes reading feel so exhausting or scary. Then take that insight and build a bridge instead of a battle plan.

Reframing Reading: From Duty to Discovery

Children with dyslexia often experience reading as work, not wonder. So whether it's a comic book, an audiobook, or creating their own story, your goal isn't longer reading sessions — it's deeper emotional engagement.

One mom I worked with discovered that her daughter, Maya, would light up any time they talked about fantasy worlds. So instead of insisting on leveled readers, she found an age-appropriate fantasy audiobook series and listened with Maya in the car. Later, Maya started asking if she could "read with her ears" on her tablet at home. That shift — from reluctant to curious — was only possible once reading wasn’t tied to performance.

Tools that turn reading into a sensory-rich experience can be a huge help. For example, some families have used features that transform written lessons into audio, so their child can absorb them on the go — in the car, at home, or even while drawing. One dad told me that his son, who avoids reading silently at all costs, loved listening to his school lessons as audio adventures where he was the hero — his name included! That kind of personalization can nudge even reluctant readers toward discovery.

Make Reading Social, Not Solitary

Reading alone can feel isolating — especially when other kids seem to breeze through books while your child is stuck on every word. Try to make reading a shared experience. Read together. Take turns. Do silly voices. Laugh when the character makes a joke. Gasp together when something shocking happens.

And if your child loves being in control, let them read to the dog, a stuffed animal, or even a younger sibling. The act of being the reader — even for someone who doesn’t understand every word — reinforces their identity as someone who can read, who belongs in the world of stories.

Choose Content That Lights Them Up

Forget age-based levels. Follow your child’s passions. If your son is obsessed with weather patterns, find books (or comics or graphic novels) about tornadoes or how clouds form. If your daughter loves ballet, introduce simple biographies of famous dancers or books that blend illustrations with short narratives.

Visual support is key — and that’s one reason why graphic novels and dyslexia-friendly fonts can open doors. You can also sneak reading into unexpected places: instructions on a LEGO box, a recipe you're cooking together, or a scavenger hunt with written clues around the house.

Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

One of the most discouraging aspects of dyslexia is slow visible progress. Parents (understandably) want to see results. But when reading becomes a performance, children feel that pressure, and may disengage even more.

What if success wasn't "reading a whole chapter" but, instead, "we had fun reading together today" or "you guessed what the word was from the picture!"?

Even better: let them take part in their own progress. The Skuli App, for instance, allows children to transform their own school lessons into interactive audio or personalized quizzes, making it easier to engage with the material in a way that feels playful — and theirs. These tools reinforce motivation not by demanding more, but by meeting the child where they are.

Final Thoughts: Motivation is Built in Tiny Moments

There's something deeply brave about a child with dyslexia picking up a book again after countless moments of failure. When they do, even for just a few pages, it’s our job to notice, name, and celebrate that bravery.

And if you're still unsure whether your child’s struggle is more than just learning pace, this guide to identifying dyslexia signs may offer more clarity. Also, keeping your child focused during reading tasks can be one of the biggest challenges — this article on focus strategies for dyslexic kids may help you build those quiet moments of connection.

Above all, remember: Instilling a love of reading isn't a sprint. It's a slow, winding path paved with curiosity, trust, and tiny, consistent acts of encouragement. And you're not walking it alone.