Kathy Cousineau

Oct 235 min read

How Dyslexia Affects Self-Esteem: Building Confidence in Children

A young child with glasses and a thoughtful expression sits confidently at a desk with an open book in front of them. The child is dressed in a gray cardigan, pink bow tie, and exudes a sense of self-assurance. The image is accompanied by the text, "How Dyslexia Affects Self-Esteem: Building Confidence in Children," and the website "www.myhappyteacher.com" is displayed at the bottom. The overall image conveys a positive and empowering message about supporting children with dyslexia.

Why Self-Esteem Matters for Children with Dyslexia

For many children, reading challenges aren’t just academic but emotional. When a child struggles with reading, especially if they have dyslexia, it can impact their self-esteem. Many parents notice that their child begins to feel different from their peers or avoids reading altogether. Educators and parents alike must understand how dyslexia affects self-esteem and learn how to help children build their confidence.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how dyslexia impacts a child’s emotional well-being and offer practical strategies for boosting self-esteem. Whether you're a parent of a child with special needs or a special education staff member, these insights can make a big difference in supporting children with reading difficulties.

The Link Between Dyslexia and Self-Esteem

A young boy, looking frustrated and holding his head in his hand, sits at a desk with school materials. A woman, possibly a teacher or parent, sits beside him, gesturing with concern as if trying to provide guidance or support. Both appear to be engaged in a serious discussion, with the boy seemingly struggling with a task.

Dyslexia is a learning difference that primarily affects reading and language processing. Children who struggle to read, especially compared to their peers, often feel inadequate. The frustration of

repeatedly facing reading challenges can lead to a range of emotional difficulties, including:

Low self-esteem: Children with dyslexia may believe they aren’t as smart as their classmates.
Frustration and anxiety: Reading tasks, especially in front of others, can cause feelings of anxiety or embarrassment.
Avoidance: Many children start avoiding reading altogether to protect themselves from failure or criticism.

A child’s emotional response to reading difficulties is often as important as their academic progress. For parents and educators, recognizing how dyslexia affects self-esteem is the first step toward creating a supportive environment that helps children regain their confidence.

A young girl sits at a desk, looking frustrated and overwhelmed as she holds her head in her hands. She is surrounded by school supplies, including a laptop, notebooks, and a clipboard with papers. Her expression reflects the challenges she is facing, possibly with schoolwork. This image conveys the emotional struggles often experienced by children with dyslexia and the frustration that can impact their self-esteem.

How Dyslexia Affects Self-Esteem: One Child's Example

Consider Sarah, a bright 8-year-old who loves solving puzzles and creating art. But when it’s time to read in class, Sarah feels her stomach twists with anxiety. Her peers seem to breeze through the words, but

Sarah stumbles, struggling to decode each sentence. Over time, Sarah has started to believe she’s “just not good at school,” even though she excels in other areas. Her self-esteem has taken a hit, and now, Sarah avoids reading whenever possible.

Children like Sarah often begin to associate reading with failure and shame. But with the proper support, this narrative can change. Parents and educators can make a profound difference by helping children like Sarah see their strengths and celebrate small successes.

Strategies to Boost Confidence in Children with Dyslexia

There are several ways to build a child’s confidence and address the emotional impact that dyslexia has on their self-esteem. Here are some practical strategies that both parents and educators can implement:

1. Highlight Strengths Beyond Reading

A smiling young boy holds a guitar while participating in a music class. An instructor gently guides him as other children in the background play musical instruments, such as drums. The supportive environment and the boy’s joyful expression suggest that creative activities like music can help boost confidence and self-esteem, especially for children with dyslexia who may struggle in traditional academic settings.

Children with dyslexia often excel in areas outside of reading, such as problem-solving, creativity, or hands-on activities. By focusing on

these strengths, you help them see that dyslexia doesn’t define their intelligence or potential.

Tip for Parents: Find activities that allow your child to shine. For example, if your child enjoys building things, playing music, or spending time on projects like creating LEGO structures or drawing. These activities help balance out the frustration they may feel with reading.

2. Break Down Reading Goals into Small, Achievable Steps

A notepad with the word "GOALS" written at the top and a numbered list (1, 2, 3) below, waiting to be filled in. A pen is placed next to the notepad on a wooden desk, and a small plant and metal clips are visible in the background.

Children with dyslexia can boost their confidence by achieving small

reading milestones. By breaking down more significant tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces, success feels more reachable.

Advice for Parents: At home, set tiny reading goals—maybe have your child read a single page or learn one new word each day. Celebrate each success to build their sense of accomplishment.

Tip for Educators: In the classroom, recognize the progress of students who may not finish an entire assignment but have made strides in other ways. For example, you might say, “I’m so proud of how you tackled those tough words today!”

3. Create a Safe, Encouraging Learning Environment

A teacher in a pink blazer leans over to help two students with their schoolwork. One student, on the left, is writing in a notebook while the teacher points at the page, offering guidance. Another student on the right is focused on her own task. The scene takes place in a bright, organized classroom with plants and artwork in the background

Children are more likely to take risks and try new things when they feel safe and supported. It’s important to create an environment where children aren’t afraid to make mistakes in both the home and the classroom.

Tip for Parents and Educators: Use positive language and recognize effort rather than just focusing on results. Statements like, “I can see how hard you’re working on this,” go a long way in boosting confidence. Avoid harsh criticism and instead offer constructive feedback after praising what went well.

4. Use Multisensory Learning Methods

A young girl wearing a plaid shirt smiles while standing beside a whiteboard. On the whiteboard, colorful magnetic letters are arranged, including the letters G, P, S, B, and Q. The scene appears to be in a comfortable home setting, with a couch in the background. The girl looks engaged and happy, likely participating in a fun learning activity.

Many children with dyslexia benefit from multisensory teaching techniques, which engage multiple senses to help with learning. Approaches like Orton-Gillingham or the Wilson Reading System are designed to support children with dyslexia by using visual, auditory, and tactile elements.

Tip for Parents: Reinforce what your child learns in tutoring sessions by incorporating multisensory activities at home. For instance, have them trace letters in sand while saying the sound aloud or use magnetic letters on the fridge to help build words.

You can read more about how the Wilson Reading Method can help students with dyslexia in our blog post “Empowering Dyslexic Students with Wilson Reading: a Research-based, Systematic, Multisensory Program.”

5. Celebrate Every Victory

A happy young boy with his arms raised in triumph, wearing a red shirt and standing outdoors, symbolizes the joy of celebrating small victories. This image captures the essence of acknowledging and celebrating each success, no matter how small, in a child’s journey.

Every step forward deserves celebration, no matter how small. Whether your child successfully reads a word they’ve been struggling with or simply shows perseverance, these moments are worth acknowledging.

Tip for Parents: Create a “celebration jar” where you and your child can write down their accomplishments, no matter how minor. At the end of each week, read them together to celebrate progress.

Tip for Educators: Acknowledge students’ efforts publicly in class to create a positive, supportive learning environment.

How a Supportive Environment Impacts Emotional Well-Being

When children feel supported, their confidence and emotional well-being improve. A child who knows that their efforts are valued is more likely to engage in learning, take risks, and recover from setbacks.

If you're looking for more information on ways to support your child’s reading journey, go to our blog at MyHappyTeacher.com. There, you will find information on topics such as the signs and symptoms of dyslexia at various ages, who diagnoses dyslexia, the importance of a dyslexia screener, and how assistive technology can help your child with dyslexia thrive in school.

If you think your child might have dyslexia, or you're concerned that there might be something more going on, take our Learning Challenges Quiz to identify the specific areas where your child might be struggling.

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