We’ve all been there – staring at a blank piece of paper (or screen) with no idea where to start. Now imagine being a child with dyslexia or other learning differences, faced with a writing task that feels overwhelming before they’ve even put pen to paper. Writing homework can be a real challenge, leading to frustration, avoidance, and sometimes tears – for both children and parents!

But what if there was a different way? Instead of dreading writing tasks, what if we could make them more engaging, collaborative, and confidence-boosting? Here are some practical writing strategies for dyslexic children to support and help them build writing skills with less stress.

Pick the Right Time and Place

Timing is everything. Some children work best in the morning when they’re fresh, while others need a break after school before tackling homework. Find what works best for your child and create a comfortable, distraction-free space to work. A quiet corner with good lighting and all the necessary materials to hand (paper, pencils, reference books, etc.) can make a big difference.

Make Writing Less Intimidating and More Fun

Staring at a blank page can feel daunting. Instead of diving straight into writing, start with a fun, low-pressure activity that builds confidence.

• Summarising with Drawings: Read a short passage or description and ask your child to draw key points. Then, encourage them to write a few sentences about their picture.
• Comic Strip Storytelling: If creative writing is on the agenda, give them a comic strip template to sketch out their ideas before turning them into words.
• Add a little friendly competition: If your child is competitive, make it into a game by both writing about the pictures they have drawn.  After a set time, read them to each other and take turns to provide supportive feedback.
• Sentence Starters and Word Banks: Provide the beginning of a sentence to ease them into writing. A list of helpful words related to the topic can also reduce stress and encourage creativity.

Break It Down Into Steps

Writing is a complex skill that involves planning, spelling, grammar, and handwriting. Rather than tackling everything at once, break it into smaller, manageable steps:

1. Talk about ideas first – Discuss what they want to write before they start. Let them say their ideas aloud while you jot them down.
2. Use a writing frame – Provide a simple structure to follow, such as ‘beginning, middle, and end’ or bullet points to organise their thoughts.
3. Encourage rough drafts – Let them write freely without worrying about spelling and punctuation at first.

Make It a Team Effort

Sitting alone with a writing task can feel isolating, so why not make it a collaborative process?

• Write alongside your child – If they see you writing too, it normalises the process.
• Take turns writing sentences – They write one, you write one.
• Use speech-to-text software – If handwriting is a struggle, let them dictate their ideas and then edit together.

Celebrate the Process, Not Just the End Result

Praise effort over perfection. Whether they wrote a few sentences or completed a whole story, acknowledge their hard work. You can:

• Read their work aloud together to hear how it sounds.
• Display their writing on the fridge or create a ‘proud work’ folder.
• Plan a small reward – something fun, like playing a game or watching a favourite show.

Final Thoughts

Homework, especially writing tasks, can be tough for children with dyslexia or other learning differences. But with the right approach, we can shift the focus from frustration to confidence. By making writing feel more approachable, engaging, and supported, we’re not just helping with homework – we’re building lifelong skills in resilience, creativity, and self-expression.

Have you found these tips helpful, or do you know another parent who struggles with homework time? Share this post with them and follow Dyslexia Bedford for more advice and strategies to support your child’s learning journey!