How to Help Dyslexic Children at Every Age

Dyslexia doesn’t look the same at age 6 as it does at 11. As children grow, the signs and challenges they face can change, and so should the support we give them.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or tutor, knowing what to look for at each stage makes it easier to step in early and give children the tools they need to succeed. At Nessy, we believe in meeting every learner where they are and building from there, with patience, playfulness, and the right strategies.

Early Years (Ages 4-6)

This is often when the first signs of dyslexia begin to appear. Children are just starting to explore the sounds in words, build vocabulary, and connect letters to sounds, but for some, these early skills don’t come easily.

Signs to Look Out For:

Trouble with rhyming
Delayed speech development
Difficulty remembering letter names or sounds
Mixing up syllables in words (e.g., pasgetti for spaghetti)
Trouble finding the right word (e.g., saying “thingamajig” or “whatchamacallit”)
Low RAN (Rapid Automatic Naming) score
Difficulty mastering early phonics or not passing the phonics screening check

If you're unsure, a great place to start is with a screener. www.nessy.com/us/product/dyslexia-quest-home

How to Help:

Play games that build phonemic awareness
Read aloud together every day, even short stories
Try multi-sensory learning like tracing letters in sand or using letter magnets
Listen to audiobooks together
Try some of the FREE Nessy printable materials here - www.nessy.com/us/dyslexia-explained/free-learning-resources

Nessy’s early literacy tools use games, videos, and stories to help young children build reading foundations in a way that’s fun and stress-free.

Elementary Grades (Ages 6-8)

At this stage, reading becomes a bigger part of school, and so do the challenges if the right support isn’t in place. This is also when children may start comparing themselves to peers.

Signs to Look Out For:

Reversing letters like b/d or p/q
Struggling to read simple words
Avoiding reading or homework altogether

How to Help:

Break reading into small, manageable steps
Use decodable books that match their level
Celebrate every win - even the little ones! Confidence builds success.

Nessy Reading & Spelling is designed just for this age group, using humor, games, and structured phonics in a way that sticks.

Grades 3–5 (Ages 8–11)

As learners grow more independent, gaps between what they know and what they can do in writing or reading may become more obvious. This can lead to frustration and low confidence.

Signs to Look Out For:

Poor spelling and handwriting
Trouble following instructions or staying organized
Low confidence around schoolwork
Increased school avoidance or anxiety

How to Help:

Give extra time and structure during assignments
Use assistive tech, like text-to-speech or voice typing
Focus on strengths like creativity, memory, problem-solving
Encourage extracurriculars they enjoy (art, sports, robotics, music) to boost confidence

Nessy tools at this stage help learners stay motivated and supported while building key skills step-by-step.

Recommended: Nessy Fingers - www.nessy.com/us/product/nessy-fingers-touch-typing-home

Teens (Ages 11+)

By now, dyslexia may have gone undiagnosed, but the signs may still be there. Older children might seem disengaged or unmotivated, but they’re often just tired from working harder than their peers. Many have amazing ideas, but they just struggle to get them onto the page. As we like to say: "They know more than they can get onto paper."

Signs to Look Out For:

Avoiding reading or writing
Work that doesn’t reflect their verbal ability
Trouble organizing thoughts or structuring essays

How to Help:

Keep materials age-appropriate, no babyish content
Let them use planning tools, mind maps, or speech-to-text apps
Encourage different storytelling formats: voice notes, graphic novels, videos

Nessy supports teens with resources that respect their maturity and build skills in achievable steps.

Let Nessy Support You

Your child knows more than they can get onto paper. Every child’s journey is different, but all deserve the chance to learn in a way that works for them.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to better support your learner, Nessy is here to help. From early reading to writing fluency, Nessy’s programs are trusted by parents, schools, and specialists across the world.

👉 Start your free trial today ➜ www.nessy.com/us