A Parent’s Guide to Supporting Dyslexic Learners

Spelling can feel like a mountain to climb—especially for dyslexic learners. But with the right tools, mindset, and a sprinkle of creativity, it can make things feel more achievable.

Phonics First… But Don’t Forget Letter Names

Nowadays, phonics (learning the sounds that letters make) is a core part of early literacy. It’s brilliant for decoding basic words like cat and dog, where each sound matches a single letter. But one thing that’s often missed is letter names.

Knowing that letters have both sounds and names helps children later when they’re

asked to spell words. It’s a small shift that makes a big difference.

Where Spelling Gets Tricky

As children progress, spelling becomes more complex:

• Digraphs like ea and ee sound the same—so which do we use?

• Irregular words like said or was don’t follow any rules at all.

• These need to be taught explicitly and repeatedly. Dyslexic learners especially

  benefit from overlearning - not just a one off lesson, but deep, systematic practice.

• Unfortunately, schools often rush ahead before these patterns have truly sunk in.

• That’s where a specialist teacher can help - offering a programme that fills gaps in

  phonics knowledge (the building blocks for reading and spelling), tailored to how

  dyslexic learners process and retain information.

• But parents can help too by providing regular opportunities to practise spellings in

  fun and quirky ways that use different senses - what we see, hear, do, say. This

  boosts memory by engaging multiple pathways in the brain, making easier to store

  and recall those tricky spellings.

Teaching Irregular Words

Irregular words don’t follow phonics rules—they just need to be memorised. The common exception words used at schools are a good place to start. Once you’ve established the words your child can’t spell then you can get practicing. Here’s how to make it fun, multisensory and effective:

Multi-sensory Learning Ideas

Write and Say → Cover and Recall: Start by writing the word, saying it and highlighting the tricky part (e.g. said). Then have your child write over it several times- with a pen or their finger- while saying each letter aloud then the word. Finally, cover the word and ask them to recall and write it from memory.

Visual Reminders: Stick the word around the house—on the fridge, mirror, or doors. To make it more interesting write it incorrectly somewhere - can they spot it?

Build It: Use LEGO bricks, Play-Doh, or magnetic letters to construct the word.

Rainbow Words: Write over the word in different colours to make it pop.

Mnemonics: Build a phrase to remember tricky spellings (e.g. because = Big Elephants Can Always Understand Small Elephants).

Record and Replay: Let your child record themselves spelling the word aloud, then play it back while writing.

Bounce and Spell: Each time you bounce a ball or jump on the spot say a letter to spell out the word.

Sand or Salt Tray: Fill a shallow tray with sand, salt, or flour. Let them trace the word with their finger or a paintbrush.

Silly Sentences: Use the word in a funny sentence and illustrate it. The humour helps it stick.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Introduce one new word per week and provide lots of opportunity for practice – little and often is best.

Revisit old words regularly - can they spell them quickly and accurately?

If a word slips, go back and practice before moving on.

Celebrate effort, not just results. Rewards can be time-based (e.g. 10 minutes of focused practice earns a sticker) or achievement-based (e.g. spelling a word correctly three days in a row).

Final Thoughts

Spelling mastery takes time, patience, and a positive mindset. For dyslexic learners, it’s not just about memorising - it’s about building confidence and autonomy. With quirky strategies and consistent support, you’re not just teaching spelling… you’re empowering your child to believe in their ability to learn.