How to Build a Summer Reading Routine for Children with Dyslexia

Kathy Cousineau
5 days ago
6 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

A woman and young girl sit together on grass in a sunny, tropical outdoor setting, smiling and reading a pink book. The girl is sitting on the woman's lap. On the right side of the image, a purple banner reads: "How to Build a Summer Reading Routine for Children with Dyslexia." At the bottom of the banner is the website URL "www.myhappyteacher.com" with a small cartoon owl icon.

Why a Summer Reading Routine for Children with Dyslexia Matters

Summer break can be a welcome change of pace, but for parents looking to maintain a summer reading routine for children with dyslexia, it can also raise concerns about lost progress and disrupted routines. Watching your child struggle with reading is never easy, especially when school support pauses for the season.

Yet summer offers something valuable: the freedom to nurture reading skills in a relaxed, pressure-free environment. With the right approach, this time can become an opportunity, not a setback. By building a flexible, enjoyable reading routine tailored to your child’s needs, you can help them grow in confidence, stay engaged with books, and even discover the joy of reading.

A young girl in a yellow shirt sits on a couch, smiling and reading a colorful children's book with a sun and house on the cover. An adult man, also smiling, sits nearby in a relaxed posture, watching her from another seat. They are in a bright room with large windows and natural light.

Understanding Dyslexia and Building Healthy Reading Habits

Dyslexia affects the way children process written language, often making it harder to decode words, read smoothly, or retain what they’ve just read. Without the daily structure of school, these challenges can feel even more overwhelming for both children and parents.

But here’s the encouraging part: progress doesn’t have to stop when summer begins. In fact, with a gentle, supportive reading routine tailored to your child’s pace, you can help build essential skills without added stress. The key is consistency, patience, and making reading feel safe and rewarding, not like another school assignment.

How to Build a Summer Reading Routine That Works

The most effective summer routines are the ones that meet your child where they are, focusing on connection over perfection. These tips are designed to be flexible, enjoyable, and easy to incorporate into everyday life, no matter your child’s reading level or interests.

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1. Start Small and Celebrate Every Step

The goal isn’t to finish a stack of books—it’s to build positive, sustainable habits. Begin with just 5 to 10 minutes of reading a day. Some days, that might mean a single page or a favorite passage. That’s progress.

Celebrate every small win. Use a sticker chart, a fun reading tracker, or a simple word of praise to acknowledge your child’s effort. Recognition builds confidence, and confidence builds momentum.

A young child plays with bright blue kinetic sand on a white tray, using their hands to mold shapes. Colorful plastic sand molds in yellow, red, and green are also on the tray, some filled with sand shaped like small castles. The scene highlights hands-on, sensory play.

2. Make Reading Creative and Multisensory

Reading doesn’t have to be a sit-down, silent activity. In fact, for many children with dyslexia, blending books with creative expression helps

deepen comprehension and enjoyment.

After reading, invite your child to draw a favorite scene, act out a moment, or build a story setting using blocks or clay. These multisensory experiences make stories more engaging and help support memory and understanding.

A smiling boy sits on the grass in a park, reading a book titled "How to Play Football." Above his head is a thought bubble showing him imagining himself as a football player wearing a yellow helmet and pants, a white jersey with the number 7, and running with a football. The scene suggests he's dreaming about playing the sport he's reading about.

3. Give Older Children the Freedom to Choose

As children grow, ownership becomes a powerful motivator. Let older kids explore books that align with their interests, whether it’s sports, science, fantasy, or graphic novels. Even magazines and audiobooks count.

The key is to make reading feel like a meaningful choice, not a chore. When your child reads something they care about, they’re more likely to stick with it.

A young boy wearing large headphones sits at a wooden table with a closed blue book in front of him. He rests his chin on his hands and gazes upward with a thoughtful, content expression. The background features a cozy, well-lit classroom or study space with plants, bookshelves, and children's furniture.

4. Use Technology to Support Your Child’s Summer Reading Routine

There are excellent tools designed specifically for readers with dyslexia. Apps like Learning Ally and Bookshare combine audiobooks with highlighted text, offering both audio and visual support. Other apps like Nessy offer games that reinforce decoding and fluency skills in a playful way.

These tools can be a valuable part of your routine, especially on days when traditional reading feels too challenging.

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Encouraging Progress with Summer Reading Programs for Children with Dyslexia

Many public libraries and national organizations offer summer reading programs that reward time spent reading, not just books completed. Programs like Pizza Hut’s Book It! provide fun incentives like free pizza or small prizes, helping motivate children through positive reinforcement.

These programs turn reading into something exciting and goal-

oriented. Participating as a family can also help foster accountability and make reading feel like a shared experience rather than a solo task.

colorful promotional graphic highlighting various summer reading program freebies for kids. It features well-known brands like Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Pizza Hut, Panda Express, Chuck E. Cheese, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Each program offers fun rewards—such as free books, food, or play points—to encourage children to read over the summer.

Free Summer Reading Incentives from Family-Favorite Brands

In addition to library reading challenges and school-based programs, many popular businesses across the country are offering exciting summer reading rewards for children. These programs provide a great way to motivate your child, especially if they benefit from positive reinforcement and tangible goals.

Here are a few free programs your family might want to explore this summer:

Barnes & Noble: Children can earn a free book by reading and writing about what they’ve read in a simple Reading Journal.
Books-A-Million: Young readers receive a free backpack for completing reading activities—great for back-to-school motivation.
Imagination Library: For children ages 1–5, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails free books directly to your home, helping build a home library from the earliest years.
Pizza Hut’s Book It! Program: Kids can earn a free personal-sized pizza by meeting their reading goals—a delicious way to celebrate effort.
Panda Express: Through the Panda Cub Club, readers receive a free kids’ meal coupon for finishing five books.
Chuck E. Cheese: Children can earn 10 free play points by tracking their reading using Chuck E. Cheese’s printable Reading Rewards Calendar.

These programs are especially helpful for children with dyslexia because they focus on effort, not speed or perfection. Whether your child reads independently, listens to audiobooks, or follows along with a parent, they can still participate and feel a sense of accomplishment.

Tip: Print out your child’s favorite tracker and hang it somewhere visible—like the fridge or reading nook—to build anticipation and accountability.

Note: Keep in mind that program details, age requirements, and availability may vary by location, so it’s a good idea to check with each business or visit their website before getting started.

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Creating a Supportive and Consistent Summer Reading Rhythm

Routine doesn’t need to mean rigidity. It simply means finding what works best for your child and your family. That could be reading together in the mornings, unwinding with a book before bed, or having quiet reading time after lunch.

What matters most is consistency, not duration. A few focused minutes several times a week can be more impactful than long, stressful sessions. Throughout the process, keep the message clear: effort matters and every step forward is worth celebrating.

A consistent summer reading routine for children with dyslexia doesn’t have to be complicated; it just needs to be encouraging, flexible, and child-centered.

Simple Steps to Create a Consistent, Supportive Summer Reading Routine

Routine doesn’t need to mean rigidity. It simply means finding what works best for your child and your family. That could be reading together in the mornings, unwinding with a book before bed, or having quiet reading time after lunch.

Establish a Predictable Daily Reading Time

Having a set time helps make reading a regular habit. Choose a time that fits your family’s rhythm—morning, afternoon, or evening.

A cozy reading nook tucked under a slanted ceiling, featuring soft, plush pillows in muted colors arranged on a cushioned bench. A warm wall sconce light illuminates the space. A built-in bookshelf holds various books, a framed photo, and an additional pillow. A children's book lies open on the bench, suggesting a comfortable, inviting reading area.

Design a Cozy, Inviting Reading Space

Designate a quiet, comfortable spot with soft lighting, seating, and a small basket of books or tools your child enjoys.

Track and Celebrate Summer Reading Progress

Download a summer reading tracker and let your child mark their reading time. Visual trackers make success tangible and fun.

A person with curly hair sits on the ground between two trees, reading a book by a calm lakeside. They are dressed in a light sweater and jeans, surrounded by greenery and soft natural light, creating a peaceful and reflective atmosphere.

Supporting Your Child with a Summer Reading Routine for Children with Dyslexia

A successful summer reading routine doesn’t require perfect planning or hours of daily reading. What it does need is consistency, encouragement, and a sense of joy. When reading is something your child looks forward to, even in small doses, it becomes a gateway to growth.

You’re not on this journey alone. With a little creativity, a supportive community, and tools designed for struggling readers, your child can build confidence and discover that reading can be enjoyable.

If you’re looking for ideas, encouragement, or support, the My Happy Teacher Blog is a great place to start. And if your family could use more personalized support, reach out to us to see how we can help.

Let’s make this summer a season of growth, confidence, and joyful reading—one page at a time.

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