New Ways To Teach Children To Read & Write With Lois Letchford

Ever feel that ache in your heart when your child comes home from school looking down because reading or writing didn’t go well? You’re not alone. Dyslexia is a real challenge for many families, but it doesn’t have to be a roadblock forever.

In this episode, I chatted with Lois Letchford, who taught herself how to help her dyslexic children read and write. She shared a heap of practical ideas and warm encouragement so parents can build a confident reading journey at home. Below, I’ve gathered our conversation's highlights and a few tips that you can try today.

Understanding the Emotional Struggle

When your child’s teacher mentions reading or spelling issues, it can trigger a sense of worry. Dyslexia often affects self-confidence, turning school days into uphill battles. These difficulties are more than academic; they’re emotional too.

Lois spoke about how painful it was to see her own kids come home defeated. She reminded us that what kids feel affects how they learn. If they believe they’re “failure material,” it can keep them stuck. We talked about recognising these feelings and offering empathy day by day. Sometimes, just saying “I hear you” can open the door to better support.

Building a Supportive Environment at Home

It’s easy to feel powerless when your child struggles at school. But Lois emphasised that home can be a place of comfort and empowerment. She discovered that simple activities—like reading recipes together or writing letters to friends—can reinforce reading skills without feeling like homework.

A few ways to create a nurturing home space might include:

• Setting up a cosy reading nook with soft cushions and good lighting.
• Offering small rewards for each completed task to encourage progress.
• Letting them explore audiobooks so they can enjoy stories without frustration.

Creative Approaches to Reading and Writing

One major takeaway from our conversation was the idea that “traditional methods” aren’t the only path. Lois found that children with dyslexia often need creative tools to stay engaged. Think of it like dancing with words rather than forcing them into neat rows.

She used poetry, songs, and even silly rhymes to help learners remember complex words. That bit of fun made a big difference. When asked about her favourite approach, Lois said:

“Your child's reading journey can be transformed by teaching them in ways that engage their curiosity, not stifle it.”

It was a great reminder to keep the spark alive. She also recommended breaking tasks into small wins. For instance, if your child writes a sentence, celebrate it wholeheartedly. Then move on to the next sentence. Those small victories add up and help kids associate reading and writing with success, not stress.

Embracing the Journey

Watching your child’s daily struggles can feel overwhelming. I totally get it. But Lois reminded me that dyslexia isn’t a problem to be fixed overnight—it’s a unique talent that needs different tools. Embracing the journey means accepting that progress may come in waves.

Rather than beating yourself up for not doing enough, focus on incremental growth. Celebrate what’s going right. If your child read a short paragraph today when yesterday they only got through a sentence, that’s genuine progress. It’s easy to overlook these mini-successes when so much emphasis is placed on standard classroom achievements. Yet, over time, each step forward matters more than you might think.

Kids sense our energy, so letting them know we believe in them can go a long way. If you’re having a tough day, take a breath before offering guidance. Give yourself some grace because you need it too. Lois’s story reminded me that parents are learning right along with their children—nobody needs a perfect plan from day one.

• Empathy: Listen carefully and acknowledge feelings.
• Creativity: Use games, music, and other fun activities.
• Consistency: Small daily efforts beat occasional bursts.
• Celebration: Highlight little wins to fuel motivation.

Keep in mind that there are countless ways to teach reading and writing. Finding which approach works for your family is a personal quest, and experts like Lois are here to guide you along the way.

Key Takeaways

• Dyslexia can affect self-esteem as much as academics. Emotional support is key.
• A flexible, creative approach often resonates better than rigid methods.
• Nurture small wins to keep motivation high and stress low.
• A supportive home environment can transform a child’s mindset.
• Dyslexia isn’t a one-size-fits-all condition—explore options and adapt.

Feeling inspired? I hope this episode gave you a new perspective on helping your child navigate dyslexia. If you want the full scoop (along with plenty of other nuggets of wisdom from Lois), be sure to check out the complete episode. The audio player is right at the top of this page—hit play and start empowering your child’s reading journey today.