How to Support a Dyslexic Child in Learning Spelling

Understanding Why Spelling Feels Like a Mountain to Climb

For many children with dyslexia, spelling isn’t just hard — it can feel impossible. Letters dance on the page, sounds don’t always correspond to the symbols in predictable ways, and the effort to produce even a simple sentence can be exhausting. If you’re a parent watching your child struggle, it can be heartbreaking. You want to help — and you can — but first, it’s important to understand what your child is up against.

Dyslexia is more than letter reversals or reading slowly. It affects how the brain processes language, particularly the connection between sounds and written words. Spelling (often called "encoding") is especially tricky because it requires your child to break a word into parts and then reconstruct it using the correct letters — often with irregular rules thrown in.

But here’s the good news: with the right tools, strategies, and emotional support, your child can improve their spelling skills and rebuild their confidence.

Start with Empathy, Not Correction

One of the most powerful things you can do as a parent is to switch from being the corrector to being the encourager. Imagine spending all day at school struggling, feeling two steps behind — then coming home for more of the same. For your child, spelling might already feel like a place where they can’t win.

Instead of pointing out every mistake, try this approach:

• Focus on effort before accuracy: "I saw how hard you tried to spell that word. Let’s break it down together."
• Celebrate what went right: "You got the first two sounds perfectly. That shows you’re hearing the word clearly."
• Be curious, not corrective: "That’s an interesting way to spell 'elephant' — tell me how you came up with it."

This kind of interaction opens up space for curiosity and growth. It also strengthens your bond, which your child needs desperately if spelling is a consistent source of stress.

Use Multi-Sensory Methods to Anchor Words

The more senses involved, the better. Children with dyslexia often benefit from multi-sensory learning, where they see, hear, touch, and even move as part of the learning process. If your child is struggling with a list of vocabulary words, try:

• Writing words in shaving cream or sand to reinforce them tactilely
• Using magnetic letters to build and rebuild tricky words
• Clapping out syllables and sounds before spelling

One helpful strategy is to turn written lessons into audio. If your child learns better by listening—say, in the car or winding down before bed—using an app that transforms written spelling lessons into a personalized audio adventure (even using your child’s name) can create a more engaging, less stressful way to reinforce spelling patterns. The Skuli App offers this feature, designed with children like yours in mind.

Consistency and Routine (Without Pressure)

Children with dyslexia thrive on predictable routines—but spelling practice shouldn’t feel like punishment. Consider setting aside 10 to 15 minutes most days for light, playful spelling review. This might involve:

• Reviewing 5–7 words from the week using a game or drawing activity
• Creating silly mnemonics together for irregular words (e.g., “because = Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants”)
• Using colors to highlight tricky parts of a word (e.g., the "e-i" in "receive")

A child with dyslexia should not feel like their entire world revolves around making fewer mistakes. If they hate spelling because it's always framed as a struggle, no app, resource, or lesson will work. Prioritize making the process light and empowering.

Find Allies at School

Where possible, work closely with your child’s teacher to ensure spelling accommodations are in place. Children with dyslexia can often be overwhelmed by standard spelling tests. Talk to your child’s teacher about alternatives, such as oral spelling assessments, extra time, or grading based on effort and use of strategies.

If you’re unsure how to approach the teacher, this guide on talking to teachers about dyslexia provides a concrete roadmap.

In some cases, additional support services might be necessary. If you haven’t already, you may wish to learn which specialist to consult for a thorough evaluation.

Build Confidence Alongside Skills

Children internalize the labels they hear and the emotions they feel. A spelling challenge can quickly become "I’m stupid" or "I’ll never get this right." But self-esteem is just as critical as decoding and encoding.

Make space to nurture your child’s confidence—inside and outside the classroom. Let them see themselves succeed in areas unrelated to spelling. Celebrate their talents in art, sports, storytelling, or building Lego cities. Show them that being dyslexic is only one part of who they are.

Spelling Is a Journey, Not a Destination

Progress for a dyslexic child doesn’t always look linear. There will be leaps forward, and there will be setbacks. Some words they master today might vanish next week. That’s not laziness or lack of trying — it’s how their brain processes information differently.

Keep coming back to connection. One day, your child might reflect and say, “Spelling was always hard, but my mom never gave up on me.” That memory will matter more than any test score.

When you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure of the next step, explore what school accommodations might be available for your child by reading this complete guide to school support. Or, if your child is approaching a new academic stage, you might find comfort in this piece on helping a 12-year-old with dyslexia prepare for middle school.

Most of all: keep showing up. Your steady love and advocacy are more transformative than you think.