Dyslexia is a common learning difference that mainly affects reading, spelling and the processing of sounds in words. Around one in ten people are dyslexic to some degree. Early signs in young children include trouble with rhyme, muddling similar sounds and letters, and difficulty remembering sequences such as the alphabet. Spotting them early, and using playful activities at home, can make a huge difference to a child's confidence.
Key takeaways
- About 10% of people are dyslexic to some extent, and around 4% severely.
- Dyslexia is an umbrella term and a spectrum: every child's mix of strengths and difficulties is different.
- Early signs show up in rhyme, sound and letter confusion, sequencing and memory under pressure.
- Fun games at home (rhyme, clapping syllables, letter art, memory trays) both reveal and help.
- If you're concerned, talk to your child's teacher or an educational psychologist.
A personal view
As the mother of a dyslexic daughter, and someone who still experiences glitches of mild dyslexia myself, I fully understand the challenges and frustrations of being dyslexic, as well as the benefits. Many dyslexic people process information in a more creative and holistic way, which can show up as original thinking, innovative solutions and inventions. Many well-known creative thinkers and entrepreneurs have spoken about being dyslexic.
When it comes to schoolwork and exams, though, dyslexia can add to the challenges. That's why it's so valuable to notice early signs, so that support can start as soon as possible, with strategies that minimise stress and lead to success.
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects reading and language skills. It's often characterised by difficulties with phonological awareness (understanding the sounds of language), decoding words and spelling.
The name "dyslexia" is an umbrella term covering a wide range of learning difficulties. While it typically affects reading, writing and spelling, not every child will struggle with all of these. A child with dyslexia might write well but struggle with reading comprehension or, in my own daughter's case, be a highly able reader who struggles with spelling.
Some children with dyslexia also have difficulties with maths (dyscalculia) or with physical coordination and fine motor skills (dyspraxia).
Dyslexia also exists on a spectrum, from mild to severe, and its impact differs greatly from one child to another. Each child's experience is unique, and support should be tailored to their individual needs.
How common is dyslexia?
It helps to know that you're not alone. Around one in ten people are dyslexic to some extent.
- In the UK, around 10% of the population is estimated to have dyslexia, with about 4% severely affected (Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities). That's roughly 6.7 million people.
- In the USA, estimates generally range from 5% to 10% of the population, and some sources suggest up to 20%.
Differences in reported figures come from differences in diagnostic criteria, screening methods and reporting.
What are the early signs of dyslexia?
Recognising potential signs early is crucial. Here are some things to look for in your preschooler or kindergartener:
- Difficulty sounding out unfamiliar words and breaking words into syllables.
- Trouble learning sequences like nursery rhymes, the alphabet and the correct spelling of words.
- Mixing up sounds in words, such as "ephilant" for "elephant".
- Muddling similar-sounding words, or letters with similar shapes such as b, d and p.
- Confusion with left, right, up and down.
- Writing letters or numbers back to front.
- Difficulty keeping a rhythm or following multi-step instructions.
- Difficulty sitting still for stories, or little interest in letters and words, because processing a lot of information at once is hard.
- Disorganisation, and difficulty remembering the order of everyday activities.
- Speech developing a little more slowly than their peers.
- Forgetting things they definitely knew yesterday, especially under pressure to give the right answer.
- Lack of confidence and unwillingness to try, often hidden behind avoidance.
- A history of dyslexia in the family.
When should you seek an assessment?
Many young children who aren't dyslexic show one or more of these behaviours, so it's the severity and how long the behaviour lasts that matter. If you're concerned, talk to your child's teacher or have your child assessed by an educational psychologist. Early diagnosis, and teaching a dyslexic child strategies for success, can make a huge difference to their confidence and academic potential. You can also book a one-to-one consultation with me.
Fun activities to spot and support early signs
Don't panic if dyslexia runs in the family or you want to keep a watchful eye. These easy activities help you notice early signs and give gentle, playful support, whether your child is dyslexic or not.
Rhyme time
Get silly with rhyming games! Read rhyming books together or make up your own rhymes. If your child struggles to come up with rhyming words, it might be a sign to watch. Rhyming games and books, like Maggie's Rhyming Time Book, can be both a check and a help, as well as lots of silly fun.
Letter art
Turn letters into creative masterpieces! Have your child paint, draw or shape tricky letters in playdough, or trace them in sand. This visual and sensory approach helps you spot if they're consistently mixing up certain letters, and reinforces the correct letter shapes in a fun way.
Name and clapping game
Say a word and clap out its syllables, then have your child repeat it. Start with one-syllable words such as "fish", "toast" and "egg", move to two syllables ("bacon", "candy", "cookie"), then three and four. If your child has trouble breaking words into sounds, it could be an early indicator of dyslexia.
Magnetic word building
Use alphabet magnets to build the alphabet or simple words on the fridge. Watch how your child handles putting letters in order, and whether some letters are consistently reversed or skipped.
Marching and cross-crawl movement
Some parents and teachers find left/right coordination activities helpful for children with dyslexia-type difficulties. One theory is that some children with learning difficulties may have missed an early stage of crawling. Encourage toddlers to cross-crawl, and to march with alternate arm swinging and opposite knee raising. If a child marches with the same arm and leg moving forward, practise slowly until it becomes automatic. Music at a steady pace makes it more fun.
Figures of eight
Have your child draw large imaginary figures of eight in the air or on a big sheet of paper. It's fun and good practice for crossing the midline of the body.
I spy with sounds
Play "I spy" but focus on objects that start or end with specific sounds. This shows whether your child finds it hard to connect letters to their sounds.
Memory tray
Place three or four random items on a tray, give your child half a minute to remember them, then remove one without them seeing. Can they spot which one is missing? Most children can spot a missing item from up to six or seven. Make sure your child already knows the names of all the items.
Phonics games and worksheets
Have fun with worksheets and cards with nonsense words to complement other phonics activities, or play "CVC Scrabble", where children make a consonant-vowel-consonant word from a selection of letters.
Remember, these activities are for fun and awareness. If you have concerns, it's always best to talk to your child's teacher or a professional. Early support can make a world of difference. For everyday reading ideas, see how to help your child learn to read at home and raising enthusiastic readers.
Worksheets for phonics, letter and word recognition, and spelling
Give your child fun three-letter CVC word worksheets with the first, middle or last letter missing, and see if they can fill the gap. You'll find them in my shop: Kindergarten CVC Worksheets: Sound, Read, Spell, along with more reading, writing and spelling worksheets.
Frequently asked questions
What age can dyslexia be diagnosed?
Formal assessments are usually carried out once a child is learning to read at school, but signs can often be noticed in the preschool years. Early awareness means support can start sooner.
Can dyslexia be cured?
Dyslexia is a lifelong difference rather than an illness, but with the right teaching strategies and support, dyslexic children learn to read and write well and often thrive.
Does dyslexia run in families?
Yes, it often does. A family history of dyslexia is one of the signs worth noting.
About the author
Teri Farrari is a developmental psychologist, natural health practitioner and early years consultant with more than thirty years' experience with young children and their families. She founded and ran her own Holistic Early Learning Schools, and her work has featured on BBC News, Sky Television, The Sunday Times, the Daily Mail and in Parents magazine. Read more about Teri or work with her one-to-one.
