Reading is one of the most important skills a child will ever learn. It opens the door to communication, education, and independence. Yet, for many children, particularly those with neurodivergence such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, autism or ADHD, reading can feel like an uphill battle.

As clinicians at Moi Clinic in Melbourne, we regularly support families navigating these challenges.

The good news? With the right strategies at home, parents can play a huge role in strengthening their child’s reading ability and confidence.

In this article, we’ll share practical, evidence-based tips that you can begin using today to help your child develop stronger reading skills.

Why Early Support Matters

The early years of a child’s life, especially before the age of nine, are critical for brain development. Research shows that the brain is highly adaptable during this period, meaning children benefit more from structured literacy support when it is introduced early.

Why early intervention makes a difference:

Builds the foundation for lifelong learning.

Helps children feel more confident at school.

Reduces frustration, behavioural challenges, and low self-esteem linked to reading struggles.
Improves outcomes for children with neurodivergent profiles, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, autism and ADHD.

At Moi Clinic, we often see that when parents actively support reading at home, children progress faster in therapy and build positive associations with learning.

Practical Strategies Parents Can Use

Below are six simple yet effective strategies that parents can use to nurture reading skills at home.

Create a Reading-Friendly Environment

Children are more likely to read when reading feels enjoyable and accessible.

Establish a routine: Set aside 10–15 minutes each day for reading. Even short, consistent sessions create momentum.

Choose the right space: Provide a quiet, comfortable spot with warm lighting, minimal distractions, pillows, and blankets.

Make books visible: Keep a small basket of books in the living room or bedroom so your child can easily reach for them.

Clinician tip: Variety matters. Mix fun picture books, school readers, and storybooks chosen by your child. When children feel ownership over their reading, they’re more motivated to practice.

Use Multisensory Techniques

For children with dyslexia, dysgraphia, or other literacy difficulties, multisensory learning is especially powerful. It helps connect sounds, letters, and meanings through multiple channels (sight, sound, touch, movement).

Trace letters in sand, shaving cream, or finger paint.

Use magnetic letters on the fridge to build words.

Pair sounds with movement, such as clapping syllables in words.

Draw or colour while saying the sound out loud.

Clinician tip: Multisensory methods reduce frustration and improve memory retention, making reading feel less abstract and more engaging.

Break Reading into Small Steps

Children thrive when learning is broken into manageable chunks.

Focus on phonics: connect letters to sounds before tackling full words.

Encourage segmenting and blending: break words into sounds (c-a-t) and then blend them (cat).

Keep sessions short: 5 to 10 minutes of focused phonics can be more effective than 30 minutes of struggle.

Celebrate small wins: when your child picks up their favourite book to read, or correctly sounds out a tricky word.

Clinician tip: For younger children, play word games like “I spy something that starts with /s/” to practice sounds in everyday settings.

Model Reading at Home

Children copy what they see. If reading is visible in daily life, children are more likely to see it as valuable.

Read aloud from your own books, magazines, or even recipes.

Share stories and take turns reading one page each.

Model reading for enjoyment by reading your own books in shared spaces in the home.

Talk about what you’re reading: “This newspaper article is about the Melbourne Zoo. Let’s read it together.”

Clinician tip: Even 10 minutes of family reading time signals to children that reading is enjoyable and important for everyone.

Use Technology Wisely

Technology can be a helpful tool, but balance is key.

Apps and audiobooks: Choose age-appropriate apps designed for literacy development (e.g., phonics-based programs). Audiobooks paired with printed books can also support comprehension.

Interactive tools: Websites with guided reading exercises can motivate children who prefer screens.

Set boundaries: Screen time should supplement, not replace, real book reading.

Clinician tip: Use technology as a reward after traditional reading practice. For example, read a short book together first, then enjoy a literacy app.

Partner with Professionals

Sometimes, children need more than home support. If your child consistently struggles with reading, has difficulty recognising letters or sounds, or avoids reading altogether, it may be time to seek professional support.

At Moi Clinic, our team provides evidence-based reading and writing support as part of our early intervention programs. We work with children with:

Dyslexia and other learning differences.

ADHD and attention difficulties.

Autism and communication challenges.

School readiness needs.

Clinician tip: Early intervention programs in Melbourne are eligible for support under the NDIS. Our team can guide you through both therapy and funding pathways.

Local Perspective: Reading Support in Melbourne

Melbourne families have access to excellent community resources in addition to clinic-based therapy:

Local libraries (Rowville, Knox, Frankston) offer free story time programs and holiday reading clubs.

Early literacy programs run through schools and council services to provide structured support.

Parent workshops at Moi Clinic teach families how to carry therapy strategies into the home environment.

By combining community resources with structured clinical intervention, children benefit from consistent, wrap-around support.

FAQs

Q: How do I know if my child is struggling with reading?
Look for signs such as avoiding reading, guessing words instead of sounding them out, swapping or reversing letters such as ‘b’ and ‘d’, or struggling to remember sight words.

Q: What is the best age to start early reading support?
Support can begin as soon as literacy challenges appear, often in prep or year one. The earlier the support, the better the outcome.

Q: Can early intervention help children with dyslexia?
Yes. Structured, evidence-based intervention is the most effective way to help children with dyslexia build reading and writing skills.

Q: What resources are available for families in Melbourne?
Alongside Moi Clinic’s services, families can access local libraries, school literacy programs, and NDIS-funded supports for eligible children.

Final Thoughts

Supporting your child’s reading doesn’t need to feel overwhelming. Small, consistent steps at home, paired with early professional intervention, can significantly improve outcomes.

At Moi Clinic in Rowville, Melbourne, our clinicians partner with families to make reading a positive, achievable experience for every child.

Worried about your child’s reading? You don’t need to wait. Book an Intake Appointment today to start early intervention.