How Can I Help My Dyslexic Child Become a More Fluent Reader?
- Heidi Lee
- Oct 28
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 30
Fluency isn't just about reading fast; it's about reading smoothly, accurately, and with expression, like chatting with a friend about a favorite story. For kids with dyslexia, fluency can feel like the final level in reading, even after they've mastered decoding words.
As a parent, you might be thinking, “Should we ignore speed and just make sure my child reads the words correctly?” or “Will timing their reading create pressure?”
The good news? Yes, we should measure and support fluency, but in a gentle, growth-focused way that builds confidence, not stress. Research shows these practices work wonders for dyslexic learners, helping them read more effortlessly and enjoy stories more. Let's dive in with simple tips for home and a look at what a typical fluency lesson involves so you can try it step by step with your child.
Why Fluency Matters for Your Dyslexic Child
Think of fluency as the bridge between decoding (sounding out words) and comprehension (getting the "aha!" of the story). When reading isn't automatic, your child's brain spends most of its energy wrestling with words, leaving little room to picture the adventure or feel the emotions. Fluency weaves together three key pieces:
Accuracy (getting words right)
Rate (a steady pace)
Prosody (lively expression with pauses and tone)
Studies from the National Reading Panel and the International Dyslexia Association highlight how targeted fluency practice, such as repeated and guided reading, boosts accuracy, confidence, and understanding for kids with dyslexia. The real win? It's not about racing through pages. It's about making reading feel natural so comprehension takes center stage and your child enjoys picking up a book.
Why Measure and Track Fluency? (Spoiler: It's About Celebrating Wins, Not Pressure)
While some advocate focusing solely on accuracy for dyslexic kids, research shows that tracking fluency, including speed, accuracy, and expression, unlocks a fuller picture of progress and fuels motivation. Thoughtful monitoring, such as graphing words read correctly per minute (WCPM), catches subtle gains, smoother phrasing, fewer stumbles, or a spark of confidence in their voice that signal skill growth and predict broader academic success, such as better grades in math or language arts.
A meta-analysis found fluency interventions with progress tracking boosted reading speed by up to 35 WCPM and comprehension by 25–30% in dyslexic students, while visualizing "personal bests" on charts sparked motivation and self-efficacy.
Like marking height on a doorframe, tracking fluency celebrates your child’s unique journey, turning practice into a joyful, gamified challenge that lights up their love for reading.
Start with Accuracy, Always
Use a science-backed structured literacy program, such as one based on Orton-Gillingham, to teach decoding and improve accuracy first. Once that’s humming, layer in rate and prosody. In sessions, I track accuracy every lesson and reference Wilson Reading System benchmarks for Words Correct Per Minute (WCPM), but don’t worry about hitting exact numbers at home. Just note progress!
Get a Baseline Assessment with a Cold Reading
Parents don’t need to stress about benchmarks, but you do want a baseline to track improvement. Use a reading passage that matches your child’s skill level (not necessarily their grade level) and is readable but not yet fluent. If unsure how to choose the right passage, consult a dyslexia specialist.
Set a timer for 1 minute and underline the last word read when time is up.
Make a parent copy of the passage to circle missed words, which will be used later for fluency practice.
Begin with Untimed Practice
Once you have the baseline, do some fun, untimed practice:
Echo Reading: You read the sentence fluently; your child repeats it.
Partner Reading: Take turns reading sentences.
Choral Reading: Read together while pointing to each word.
Create Word Cards for Missed Words
Make notecards for any missed words during the baseline. Add new missed words during practice. Your child can practice reading these words in isolation or as a list. Time the readings and try to beat previous times each practice.
Create a List of Phrases from the Story
Pull out phrases that include the key skill you are working on (e.g., phrases with CVCE words from decodable text). You can type out these phrases, and use them for timed practice as well. Practice these phrases before rereading the story. Track time to see improvement.
Create a Phrased Version of the Story
Copy the passage and mark natural pauses (scoops) to help your child read in phrases instead of word by word. Start with 2–3 word phrases and extend to 3–4 words. This helps your child to read naturally.
Reread the Unphrased Version of the Story
After practicing missed words, phrases, and the scooped version of the passage, return to the original passage. Set a timer for 1 minute. Check if the baseline score improved, as this confirms the strategies are working.
Reread with a Focus on Prosody and Comprehension
Now focus on prosody: pause at commas, stress exclamations, and mimic dialogue. Work on comprehension, which becomes easier once decoding and fluency are more automatic.
Step-by-Step Magic:
Baseline Read: Cold read a short story to gauge natural flow.
Word Drills: Practice word lists from the story for accuracy.
Phrase Drills: Work with chunks to link words smoothly.
Scooped Story: Read the phrased version for rhythm.
Reread Unscooped story: Back to plain text—watch the smoothness soar!
Loop this over days, tracking wins and tweaking as needed. Research shows these steps build lasting fluency without overwhelm.
🎉 Wins to Cheer: Smoother phrasing, more expression, bigger smiles, even if WCPM inches up slowly. That's fluency blooming!
Final Thoughts: Patience + Practice = Powerful Readers
Fluency for dyslexic kids is a marathon, not a sprint. With consistent, joyful practice, it transforms reading from chore to adventure. Measure kindly, scoop in support, and watch comprehension light up. You're your child's biggest cheerleader. Keep going!
Take Action Today
Try out some of these fluency tips with your child today. Small steps lead to big progress. Want personalized guidance to help your child grow in fluency? Schedule a free consultation with me today.
About the Author
Hi, I am Heidi. I am a licensed Reading Specialist and a Wilson Dyslexia Practitioner. I have been supporting children with dyslexia and spelling challenges online since 2022, working with students in grades 2–12 both in the United States and internationally.
One of my favorite tutoring moments was when my dyslexic student, who struggled with slow processing, was able to hit her fluency goal. My goal is to make this journey less overwhelming and more empowering for families.
Connect with Heidi at Successfuldyslexiatutoring.com or on Linked in.
Research and References
1. Lee & Yoon (2017)The effects of repeated reading on reading fluency for students with reading disabilities: A meta-analysis
2. Therrien (2004)Fluency and comprehension gains as a result of repeated reading: A meta-analysis
3. National Reading Panel (NICHD, 2000)Teaching children to read: An evidence-based assessment of the scientific research literature
Chapter 3 highlights guided oral repeated reading as a key strategy for building automaticity and comprehension.
Provides step-by-step practices for improving reading fluency at home or school.Full report | Summary page
4. Padeliadu (2021)Developing Reading Fluency of Students With Severe Reading Difficulties: A Case Study. Learning Disabilities: A Contemporary Journal, 19(1), 49–67.
Demonstrates that students with significant reading challenges can improve fluency through structured repeated reading, self-monitoring, and feedback.
Provides evidence-based strategies for systematic practice at home or in school.Full article Full article (ERIC)
I love your focus on Fluency. This can be such a daunting task for kids with dyslexia, but there are definitely ways to improve it. You are providing great tips here.