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10 early signs of dyslexia parents often miss, according to an education expert

10 early signs of dyslexia parents often miss, according to an education expert

The subtle early signs of dyslexia parents often miss, plus what to look out for in the toddler and preschool years and what to do if you think your child's dyslexic

A young boy sits at a desk indoors with his head in his hands, appearing stressed while looking at an open book or workbook. The scene conveys frustration with schoolwork in a home setting.

MadeForMums

Published: April 7, 2026 at 8:29 AM

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Spotting the early signs of dyslexia can make a huge difference to a child’s confidence and long term learning, but many of the earliest clues can be surprisingly easy to overlook. Dyslexia affects around 1 in 10 people worldwide, and while it often becomes clearer once children start school, some indicators show up much earlier.

David Smith, CEO of Silicon Valley High School, an online school, says parents play a vital role in noticing the first clues. “By catching the signs early, parents can help implement strategies tailored to their child's individual needs,” he explains.

If you're worried your child might have dyslexia, here are the subtle signs and behaviours he says parents should keep an eye on in the early years.

Early learning clues worth watching

Some children show signs before they even begin reading. These are the areas where early difficulties may signal a need for more support.

1. Difficulty with nursery rhymes

If your toddler can never quite remember nursery rhymes or struggles to match rhyming words, it could point to challenges with sound recognition. According to David, trouble with rhyme is one of the earliest indicators that a child may need extra help with reading later on.

2. Loving stories but avoiding letters

Many parents notice that their child is happy to listen to long stories but shows very little interest in letters or written words. “They are captivated by the narrative but struggle to engage with written language,” explains David. “This can be the cause of early reading challenges.”

3. Finding the alphabet unusually hard

Learning the alphabet song is usually something children do through repetition and play, but for some it never seems to stick. A child who consistently struggles to remember the order of letters may be signalling an early difficulty with memory or sequencing.

4. Adorable but frequent speech mix ups

Mixing up the order of sounds in words, like saying “cubumber” for cucumber, is common in preschoolers but can also be a sign of underlying language processing challenges. If these slip ups continue well beyond the toddler years, it is worth noting.

5. Trouble keeping a beat

Clapping along to songs, tapping to a beat or following simple rhythm games can be unexpectedly difficult for children with dyslexia. This can be linked to sequencing and auditory processing, two areas that often play a role in how children learn to read.

Everyday behaviours that could hint at dyslexia

Beyond the classic reading struggles, some everyday behaviours can also offer clues about how a child is processing information.

6. Difficulty following multi step instructions

If your child becomes overwhelmed when given a two part instruction, such as tidying toys then returning to the table, this could signal difficulty with sequencing or holding information in working memory.

7. Forgetting familiar names and labels

You might notice your child repeatedly forgets the names of people, colours or everyday objects. “This forgetfulness is not due to a lack of attention but because they find it challenging to connect names with their associated concepts,” David says.

8. Getting directions mixed up

Confusing up and down, or finding left and right hard to grasp, is very common. But when directional confusion continues beyond the usual learning stage, it can be an early sign of spatial or language processing differences.

9. A family history of reading struggles

While not a behaviour, family history is an important piece of the puzzle. Dyslexia often runs in families, so parents who experienced reading difficulties themselves may want to keep a closer eye on early learning milestones.

10. Good days and bad days with no clear pattern

Children with dyslexia may have days when everything seems to click followed by days where nothing comes easily. “Children with dyslexia may experience fluctuating performance due to factors like fatigue or stress, impacting their focus and behaviour,” says David.

Why early identification matters

above head view of a boy reading a book with the letters all jumbled up to show dyslexia

Before looking for formal assessment, parents can monitor patterns, talk to their child’s nursery or school and start making gentle adjustments at home. David believes the earlier a child is supported, the better their long term experience of learning becomes.

Identifying dyslexia early on allows parents and educators to introduce support strategies that target a child's specific needs, rather than letting them struggle silently or lose confidence in themselves.

David Smith, CEO of Silicon Valley High School

He adds that early, targeted help, including phonics based approaches, multisensory learning and age appropriate technology, can protect a child’s confidence as they grow. “When children feel understood and supported, they begin to realise that their difficulties with reading or writing are just one part of their learning profile, not a reflection of their intelligence.”

What parents can do if they spot signs

If several of these behaviours sound familiar, you can start by speaking to your child’s teacher or health visitor. They can advise on early support and whether further assessment might be useful. Many children with dyslexia thrive with the right tools in place, especially when parents feel informed and empowered.

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