How to Support a Dyslexic Child with Homework at Home

Understanding the Emotional Weight of Homework for a Dyslexic Child

Imagine ending a long day at work only to dive into a math worksheet with your 9-year-old. She rubs her eyes and says, “I’m just not smart.” You know that’s not true. She’s clever, funny, insightful—but the moment she has to read or write, her confidence evaporates. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

For children with dyslexia, homework isn’t just a task—it can feel like an uphill battle. Reading instructions, following written explanations, or remembering spelling rules can quickly stir feelings of frustration, embarrassment, or overwhelm. As a parent, your role is pivotal—not in doing the homework, but in building an environment that fosters learning, resilience, and, most importantly, self-belief.

Why Homework Can Be So Challenging for Dyslexic Kids

Dyslexia often impacts a child’s ability to read fluently, decode unfamiliar words, and retain written information. Even with average—or above-average—intelligence, the gap between what a child knows and what they can show on paper can be wide. Homework becomes a minefield of unmet expectations and invisible effort.

You might wonder, “Why is this taking her an hour when her classmates finished in 20 minutes?” Or, “Why is he exhausted after just one paragraph?” The truth is, we often underestimate how much mental energy it takes to decode, comprehend, and write.

This is also where the emotional side of dyslexia kicks in. Children may begin to see themselves as “stupid” or “lazy,” internalizing failure as part of their identity. Your job isn’t to fix the dyslexia—but to build support systems that help your child learn in the way their brain works best.

Start with Connection, Not Correction

When facing daily homework meltdowns, your instinct might be to push: “Just focus!” or “You did this yesterday—why not today?” But what children need most in these moments is empathy over efficiency.

Try this instead: sit at their level, make eye contact, and say something like, “I know this looks really hard. I see how much you’re trying. Want to break it down together?” Lead with connection to reduce stress—and only then gently guide them into the task.

Create Predictable and Calming Homework Routines

Children with dyslexia thrive on routines because the world—especially the world of school—often feels unpredictable. Consider building a homework routine that:

• Starts at the same time each day after a low-stress activity (like a snack and a short outdoor play)
• Involves a cozy, distraction-free space—not necessarily a desk, but even a beanbag under a desk with fairy lights can become a calm nook
• Breaks tasks into small chunks with movement or sensory breaks in between

Visual schedules, timers, or even a kitchen hourglass can help children see progress in real time. Celebrating small wins at the end of each task—"You worked hard on that reading! Let’s high-five!”—builds confidence over time.

Rethink How Learning Happens at Home

What if understanding a science chapter wasn’t only about reading dense paragraphs? What if your child could step into the story—as the hero of their own learning adventure?

Many dyslexic children are auditory or kinesthetic learners, meaning they absorb more when they hear or interact with information. That’s why some parents are turning to tools like the Skuli App, which transforms written lessons into personalized audio stories—complete with your child’s first name and choices that shape the adventure. It’s a subtle yet powerful shift: from being an overwhelmed reader to choosing how to rescue a lab escapee in a biology-themed mission. Learning becomes exciting, not exhausting.

Support Doesn’t Mean Doing It for Them

It’s tempting to rewrite messy math answers or jump in when your child writes a sentence backward. But for long-term success, they need to own both their mistakes and their growth. Instead of correcting, ask guiding questions:

• “Can you tell me what this sentence says out loud?”
• “How did you get to that answer?”
• “Want to listen to the problem together and see what we might have missed?”

For reading-intensive assignments, try reading the text out loud to your child—or letting them listen to audio versions during dinner or car rides. If your child is working independently, apps that convert written instructions into audio can be a game changer.

Know When to Step Back—and When to Step In

Parents often ask: “At what point do I ask the teacher for help—or get my child tested?” If you’re consistently battling through basic reading or writing tasks at home, it may be time to evaluate further. We’ve written about early signs of dyslexia in 6-year-olds and how to spot signs in older children too. Don’t feel like you need to solve this alone—teachers, school psychologists, and literacy specialists can be essential allies.

Celebrate Strengths Beyond the Page

Your child’s identity is not defined by how well they spell. Often, kids with dyslexia show incredible creativity, empathy, problem-solving, and storytelling abilities. Spotlight those strengths at home. Whether your child loves inventing characters, building things, or helping siblings, shine a light on what comes naturally.

Gift them tools, books, or games that match their gifts—we’ve shared our favorite educational gifts that stretch curious and creative minds.

And most importantly, celebrate their grit. Getting through 20 minutes of homework when your brain processes language differently is no small task. It deserves just as much applause as any ‘A’ on a spelling test.

You Don’t Have to Have All the Answers

Maybe tonight’s reading homework will end in tears again. Maybe the spelling list will still feel overwhelming tomorrow. That’s okay. Your steadiness and belief in your child—as they are—matters more than mastering phonics this week.

Support isn’t about perfection. It’s about being present, adapting, and reminding your child: “No matter how hard this feels, we’re in it together.” Keep that as your homework too—one night at a time.