My child says they feel stupid because reading is hard. How do you handle that?

Reading struggles and self-worth get tangled early, because children measure themselves against the classmates reading with ease. The message that helps most is honest and specific: their brain learns to read on a different path, it is not about being smart, and the right kind of practice is what closes the gap. Vague praise tends to ring hollow, while naming the real reason often lands better.

What have you said that actually helped your child? Have you explained dyslexia to them directly, found a book or video that made them feel less alone, pointed to adults they admire who struggled with reading too? What did you learn to avoid saying?

Practice a child can succeed at, day after day, rebuilds some of that confidence quietly. That steady, right-level success is what we try hardest to protect in Lillory.