Building Confidence in Dyslexic Learners: Tips and Strategies for Parents and Teachers

When I first met Daniel, he rarely spoke and would shrink into the background in class. He was only nine but already believed he didn’t belong, convinced he was less than his peers because he couldn’t keep up with reading and writing. Watching his daily struggle, I was reminded of a story I’d seen in the film Like Stars on Earth, where a young boy, Ishaan, lost in a world of words he couldn’t decode, finds himself isolated and misunderstood. Like Daniel, Ishaan was bright, creative, and curious, but his struggles with dyslexia caused him to feel hopelessly broken.

For dyslexic learners like Daniel and Ishaan, the inability to read like their peers can be devastating to their confidence. They live with the constant pressure of school and society, where reading and writing often become benchmarks of intelligence and self-worth. When children begin to see themselves as “failures” in school, they retreat from learning, and this sense of failure can shadow them for years. But with the right guidance and encouragement, we can help dyslexic students rediscover their strengths, rebuild their confidence, and learn to shine.

In this post, I share some key strategies for teachers, tutors, and parents to help dyslexic learners build confidence and embrace their unique potential.

1. Embrace a Strength-Based Approach

Dyslexic learners are often some of the most imaginative, innovative thinkers. Yet, because of the struggles they face with traditional literacy skills, their strengths often go unnoticed. Like Ishaan, who had an extraordinary gift for art, many dyslexic children excel in areas like problem-solving, creativity, and spatial reasoning. Teachers and parents can celebrate these strengths, helping children feel valued for what they can do rather than feel defeated by what they find challenging.

Tip: Make a list of the student’s talents and encourage activities that allow them to shine. Whether it’s art, building, storytelling, or performing, give them a chance to feel proud and successful in their unique way.

2. Use Positive Reinforcement and Acknowledge Effort

For many dyslexic learners, simple tasks like reading aloud or spelling correctly can feel like monumental achievements. Celebrating effort over perfection helps them shift focus from what’s “wrong” to what’s improving. In Like Stars on Earth, Ishaan’s teacher reminds him to celebrate each small success, which empowers him to embrace learning with a new perspective.

Tip: Praise progress, no matter how small. Acknowledge when they try, when they’re brave, and when they show resilience. This can help them see that their effort is meaningful and valued.

3. Create a Safe and Supportive Environment

It’s essential that dyslexic students feel safe to express their struggles without fear of judgment or ridicule. Both in the classroom and at home, they need to know they’re accepted and supported. In the film, Ishaan’s new teacher creates a classroom environment where he can take risks, fail, and still feel valued. This support is essential for any dyslexic learner’s confidence.

Tip: Avoid putting a dyslexic child on the spot for reading or writing in front of peers unless they’re comfortable. Let them choose when they feel ready to share, and reassure them that it’s okay to make mistakes.

4. Use Multi-Sensory Learning Techniques

Dyslexic students often thrive with multi-sensory learning that engages more than just sight and sound. This method allows students to use touch, movement, and other senses to support reading and writing, creating stronger memory connections. For example, Ishaan’s teacher in Like Stars on Earth uses art, clay, and music to make words and letters come alive, transforming his classroom into a space of vibrant exploration rather than strict academics.

Tip: Incorporate multi-sensory activities in learning. Use sandpaper letters, manipulatives, or tracing techniques to make learning feel tangible and fun. Teaching with movement and creativity can help dyslexic learners engage without fear or frustration.

5. Set Realistic, Achievable Goals

Setting small, realistic goals helps dyslexic students see progress in manageable steps. When Daniel learned to read his first sentence, his eyes lit up with joy. It was a small achievement for most, but it was a monumental step for him. With realistic milestones, students like Daniel learn that improvement is possible, building their confidence to tackle new challenges.

Tip: Break down goals into smaller tasks and celebrate each milestone. Rather than expecting complete mastery right away, focus on gradual progress, which reinforces a growth mindset and builds resilience.

6. Encourage Self-Advocacy and Voice

As children grow, it’s empowering for them to learn to articulate their struggles and advocate for what they need. Dyslexic students, like all learners, deserve to feel heard and have control over their learning journey. Encouraging self-advocacy helps them recognize their needs and ask for help, rather than feeling helpless or defeated.

Tip: Teach your child or student to speak up about their needs and celebrate their courage when they do. Let them know it’s not a weakness to ask for support and that their voice matters.

7. Reinforce that Dyslexia Does Not Define Intelligence or Worth

In Like Stars on Earth, Ishaan’s teacher reminds him that he is not “stupid” and that his dyslexia doesn’t diminish his intelligence or worth. For dyslexic learners, this message can be life-changing. Children often assume that if they can’t read or write like their peers, they’re not smart or capable. Shifting this belief can open doors to a positive self-image, where they understand that intelligence is multi-dimensional and not solely defined by literacy skills.

Tip: Frequently reinforce that reading challenges don’t equate to a lack of intelligence. Share stories of successful dyslexic individuals, like Richard Branson or Steve Jobs, to show them that they can achieve greatness too.

8. Collaborate with Other Educators, Tutors, and Parents

Helping a dyslexic learner thrive is a team effort. Teachers, tutors, and parents can work together to ensure a consistent approach and share valuable insights that build the child’s confidence. In Daniel’s case, collaboration allowed us to create a supportive environment that met his needs across both home and school.

Tip: Regularly communicate with everyone involved in the child’s education. Share updates, challenges, and successes, creating a unified approach that supports the child’s learning experience.

Every dyslexic child deserves the chance to feel confident and capable. With encouragement, understanding, and patience, they can reclaim their self-worth and see themselves as learners, creators, and thinkers. In Like Stars on Earth, Ishaan’s journey to self-acceptance and confidence wasn’t achieved through rigorous academics but through empathy, creativity, and belief in his potential.

Let’s nurture every child’s potential, showing them that their struggles don’t define them but can fuel their success. With each small step, every smile of pride, and every breakthrough, we remind dyslexic learners that they, too, can shine like stars on Earth.

You can watch Like Stars on Earth 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l97u84hTjpw