TL;DR: Dyslexia usually isn’t diagnosed until school starts, but you might spot some early signs in pre-school. Things like late talking, struggling with rhymes, mixing up letter names and sounds, saying words in funny ways, or having trouble finding the right word can all be clues.
Keep an eye out if dyslexia runs in your family. Don’t worry if you spot only one sign; lots of kids do these things sometimes. But if you notice a few signs sticking around, it’s worth chatting with your child’s teacher or GP. The sooner we spot things, the sooner we can help.
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If your little one is three or four and still can’t quite get the hang of the alphabet song while their friends sing it loud and proud, you might start to wonder if something’s up.
That’s a totally normal worry, and it’s great that you’re paying attention. Dyslexia is common; about 5 to 10 per cent of people have it, and the earlier we spot it, the sooner we can get kids the support they need to shine.
Dyslexia is a common learning difference that makes it harder for some kids to match sounds to letters, which can make reading, spelling, and writing a bit more challenging. It’s not about intelligence, eyesight, or how hard someone tries.
Dyslexia is neurological and often runs in families, and children with dyslexia are typically very intelligent and capable. Still, their brains process the sounds of language differently, a process called phonological processing.
Most kids aren’t formally diagnosed with dyslexia until they start learning to read, usually around age six or seven, because that’s when reading challenges really show up.
But those early language differences can pop up years before anyone talks about a diagnosis. Experts call these “early signs” or “risk factors.” If we spot them early, we can start helping before reading ever feels like a struggle.
Some of the most common early signs are late talking, having a tough time with rhymes, struggling to learn letters and sounds and mixing up words.
While finding it hard to remember the right word, trouble following instructions, getting mixed up with things that come in order, and not showing much interest in books or print can also be signs to watch for.
For now, let’s look at some of the more common signs in pre-school kids.
Starting to talk later than other kids is one of the earliest and most well-known signs. If your child is slower to say their first words or put words together into little phrases, it could be a clue that dyslexia is in the mix.
Lots of late talkers catch up just fine, so this by itself doesn’t mean your child has dyslexia. But research shows that kids who start talking late are more likely to have reading challenges later on, especially if you notice other signs, too.
Kids with dyslexia often find it tricky to spot or make up rhymes, like hearing that “cat” and “hat” sound the same at the end.
Rhyming is all about hearing the little sounds inside words. Most pre-schoolers love nursery rhymes and can start to guess the last word in a rhyme.
If your child can’t seem to catch the pattern or keeps forgetting simple rhymes, even after lots of practice, it might mean their brain finds these sounds a bit harder to pick up.
If your child has seen letters plenty of times but still can’t remember their names or match them to sounds, that could be an early sign of dyslexia.
Most pre-schoolers don’t know every letter yet, and that’s totally normal. What matters is how steadily they’re picking them up.
If your child knows a letter one day and forgets it the next, even after lots of practice, they might be finding it tough to connect sounds and symbols. If they struggle to spot the letters in their own name, that’s another thing to keep an eye on.
Mixing up sounds in words a lot, like saying “aminal” instead of “animal” or “pusgetti” for “spaghetti,” can be a sign to watch for. All little kids say words in funny ways, and it’s usually cute.
It’s only a concern if these mix-ups persist longer than you’d expect, or if your child can’t hear the difference when you say the word correctly. Mixing up words that sound alike, like “lotion” and “ocean,” can be another clue.
If your child often uses words like “thing” or “stuff,” pauses frequently in the middle of a sentence, or substitutes a related word, they might be having a hard time finding the right word. This can be an early sign of dyslexia.
Your child might know exactly what a giraffe is but call it “the tall animal with the neck.” Sometimes they know the word but can’t get it out fast enough; people often call it “on the tip of their tongue.”
Not at all; lots of these behaviours are totally normal for pre-schoolers, and one sign on its own doesn’t mean dyslexia. What really matters is if you see a pattern, if the signs stick around, or whether a few show up together.
Every child grows and learns at their own pace, and things like hearing issues, speech and language differences, ADHD, or just normal variation can look a lot like dyslexia. Even something as simple as an ear infection can make it harder for a child to hear and say words clearly.
Instead of ticking off boxes, try asking yourself: Are a few of these signs showing up? Have they stuck around for months, not just weeks?
Does your child seem to be working much harder than other kids to learn the same things? If you’re nodding yes, it’s a good idea to chat with a professional.
Yes. Dyslexia is strongly hereditary. A child with a parent or sibling who has dyslexia is significantly more likely to have it too.
Research shows that many kids with a parent who has dyslexia will have some reading challenges too. If dyslexia runs in your family, keep a close eye out for early signs and let your child’s nursery, teacher, or doctor know about your family history.
Chat with your child’s nursery or preschool teacher, share your worries with your GP or health visitor, and ask about hearing, speech, and language checks. Getting support early can make a big difference, even if you don’t have a diagnosis yet.
Play sound games, read together every day, sing rhymes, and keep things playful and pressure-free. All of this helps build the sound skills that reading depends on.
You don’t need any fancy equipment. Here are some easy ideas to try:
Spotting early signs of dyslexia isn’t about putting a label on your child. It’s about understanding how they learn best and getting support in place before things get frustrating.
Late talking, trouble with rhymes, mixing up letters and sounds, mispronunciations, and word-finding struggles are all common signs to watch for, especially if you see a few together or if dyslexia runs in your family.
Trust your gut, keep things playful, and don’t be afraid to ask for help early on. Kids with dyslexia can absolutely thrive with proper support, and just by learning the signs, you’re already giving your child a great start.
Have you noticed any of these signs in your child, or spotted them early in someone you know? Share your story in the comments; your experience could really help another parent.