7 Signs Your Child May Have a Reading Issue (That Gets Missed)

Your child seems smart.
They talk well, tell great stories, and seem curious.

But when it comes to reading? Something feels off. 😕

The school says, “They’ll catch up.”
You hear, “They just need more practice.”
But in your gut, you know it’s more than that.

Here are 7 often-overlooked signs that your child may be struggling with reading — and what to do next.

🚩 1. They Guess Instead of Sounding Out

They see the word “cat” and say “car.”
They read “home” as “house.”

Guessing is often mistaken for problem-solving, but it’s a big red flag that decoding isn’t automatic.

🔍 What it means: They’re relying on context or memory—not phonics.

🚩 2. They Read a Word on Page 1, But Not on Page 3

They decode “said” perfectly… then stumble over it two pages later.

🔍 What it means: The word isn’t orthographically mapped in memory. It’s not “sticking.”

🚩 3. They Struggle to Remember Letter Sounds

They can sing the alphabet and name letters—but when asked what sound “m” makes, they hesitate.

🔍 What it means: Letter-sound associations aren’t solid. This impacts decoding and spelling.

🚩 4. Spelling Is Wildly Inaccurate

They write:

• “frnd” for friend

• “sed” for said

• “cot” for caught

🔍 What it means: They’re hearing sounds but don’t know how to represent them—or they’re guessing entirely.

🚩 5. They Read Fluently But Don’t Understand

They fly through a passage, but when you ask, “What happened?” they shrug.

🔍 What it means: They’re decoding well but lack language comprehension—or they’re reading words without truly processing them.

🚩 6. They Avoid Reading or Get Anxious

They fake being sick during reading time.
They melt down over simple assignments.
They “can’t find” their book… again.

🔍 What it means: They may associate reading with failure or embarrassment. It’s become an emotional trigger.

🚩 7. You Feel Like They’re Working Harder Than Other Kids

They’re not lazy.
They’re exhausted.
Every word feels like a mountain to climb—every day.

🔍 What it means: Their brain may be compensating for missing pathways that others develop more easily.

✋ What NOT to Do

• Don’t assume they’ll “grow out of it”

• Don’t double down on sight word flashcards

• Don’t blame yourself—or your child

Reading difficulties are common, and they’re highly treatable—if caught early.

✅ What TO Do Instead

✔️ 1. Get a phonological awareness screener

This checks their ability to hear, isolate, and manipulate sounds.

✔️ 2. Use decodable texts that match their phonics knowledge

No more guessing. Let them read what they’re equipped to decode.

✔️ 3. Build in daily sound mapping and spelling

Teach them how words work—not just how they look.

✔️ 4. Focus on mastery, not speed

The goal is confidence and clarity—not rushing through a page.

📘 How BrainySheets Supports Struggling Readers

BrainySheets was built for exactly this moment.

When a parent realizes something’s wrong—
but isn’t sure what to do—
we offer:

• Clear stories for every phonics level

• Simple, research-aligned teaching guides

• Zero guesswork

• Structured success

You don’t need a diagnosis to start helping.
You just need the right tools.

Final Thoughts

Struggling readers don’t just “catch up.”
They thrive when given the right kind of support.

Trust your gut.
Take action early.
And remember—reading issues aren’t a reflection of effort or intelligence. They’re a signal.

Let’s answer it with confidence and care. 💙📘🧠