If your child has dyslexia, you may have noticed something puzzling.
They might write beautifully—neat, careful cursive that looks impressive for their age. And yet, when it comes to reading, they struggle. Words don’t seem to “click” the way they do for other children.
This can be confusing, and at times, worrying. But understanding why this happens is the first step toward helping your child.
Why Reading Feels So Difficult
For many children with dyslexia, letters and words don’t automatically connect to sounds. Instead of seeing a word and hearing it in their mind, they may see it as a shape or a
drawing.
That’s why your child might be able to copy a page perfectly—but not read it back. They’re not being lazy or inattentive. Their brain is simply processing written language differently.
The Hidden Strengths Your Child Has
There’s good news: children with dyslexia often have wonderful strengths.
Many have:
• Strong visual memory
• The ability to remember what they see
• A love for copying, drawing, or working with visuals
These are valuable skills. But they don’t replace the need to learn how to read.
Copying something doesn’t mean your child understands it—and that’s okay. It just means they need a different approach to learning.
Why Phonics Is So Important
You may hear teachers talk about phonics—teaching children how letters connect to sounds.
At first, this can feel repetitive or even confusing for your child. You might wonder:
• “Why so much drilling?”
• “Why focus on rules when English has so many exceptions?”
These are natural questions.
The truth is, phonics gives your child the tools to figure out words—not just memorize them.
Building Real Reading Skills
Some children with dyslexia can recognize common words like with, two, or away. But reading isn’t just about recognizing familiar words.
Your child also needs to be able to read new words they’ve never seen before.
This is called decoding—and it’s a crucial skill.
Without it, reading becomes harder and harder as your child moves to higher grades.
Looking Ahead: Why Early Support Matters
As your child grows, they’ll come across longer and more complex words:
• Names like Himalayas
• Subject words like triangle or photosynthesis
These can’t be memorized easily. Your child will need to break them down into sounds to
read them confidently.
How You Can Help at Home
Your support matters more than you think. Here are a few simple ways to help:
• Be patient with practice, even if it feels slow
• Encourage sound-based reading, not just memorization
• Don’t worry if your child gets confused at first—that’s part of learning
• Celebrate effort, not just accuracy
Most importantly, remind your child that struggling with reading does not mean they aren’t smart.
A Final Word
Children with dyslexia see the world differently—and that can be a real strength.
With the right support, they can become confident readers. It just takes time, patience, and the right teaching approach.
As a parent, your understanding and encouragement can make all the difference.
By Sudha Ganesh Chella, Founder-Director, diksa Learning Centre
