Understanding Early Literacy Difficulties in Children

by | Sep 11, 2025 | Dyslexia, Literacy

Does your child struggle to recognise letters, match sounds to words, or avoid reading altogether? đź“š
If they get frustrated with homework or show low confidence in writing tasks, they may be experiencing early literacy difficulties.

Literacy is more than reading and writing—it’s the foundation for lifelong learning, communication, and academic success. When difficulties appear in the early years, they can impact self-esteem, classroom participation, and future educational outcomes.

What Are Early Literacy Difficulties?

Early literacy refers to the skills children develop before and during their first years of school. These include:

  • Recognising letters and sounds (phonics)

  • Understanding how sounds form words (phonological awareness)

  • Knowing that printed text carries meaning

  • Building vocabulary and comprehension

📖 Scarborough’s Reading Rope (2001) explains how these skills intertwine to create fluent, confident readers. Weakness in any area can lead to difficulties.

Children with early literacy challenges may:

  • Struggle to link letters with sounds

  • Have trouble rhyming or breaking words into sounds

  • Avoid reading tasks due to frustration

Without the right support, these challenges can persist, putting children at risk of ongoing academic struggles (Catts et al., 2015).

Evidence-Based Approaches to Support Early Literacy

Speech pathologists use proven, research-backed strategies to help children strengthen their literacy skills:

  1. Phonological Awareness – Clapping out syllables, rhyming, segmenting, and blending sounds (Gillon, 2004).

  2. Systematic Phonics Instruction – Explicit teaching of sound–letter relationships, as in programs like Sounds-Write (2020).

  3. Vocabulary Development – Direct teaching, conversations, and reading new words (Beck, McKeown & Kucan, 2013).

  4. Shared Book Reading – Reading aloud, asking questions, making predictions (Mol, Bus & de Jong, 2009).

  5. Print Awareness – Highlighting letters, punctuation, and direction of print.

  6. Spelling and Word Study – Exploring spelling patterns, prefixes, and suffixes (Ehri, 2014).

  7. Fluency Practice – Re-reading familiar texts and modelling fluent reading (Kuhn & Stahl, 2003).

  8. Comprehension Strategies – Teaching children to summarise, visualise, and ask questions (Duke & Pearson, 2009).

  9. Writing Support – Encouraging drawing, spelling, and writing simple sentences.

  10. Parent Involvement – Families who read daily, play sound-based games, and model literacy at home see stronger progress (Sénéchal & LeFevre, 2002).

How a Speech Pathologist Can Help

A speech pathologist can:

  • Assess literacy skills like phonological awareness, decoding, vocabulary, and comprehension

  • Provide tailored, structured interventions

  • Work closely with teachers to support school learning

  • Coach parents on practical strategies to make reading and writing fun at home

Why Early Intervention Matters

Early support makes a big difference. Research shows children who receive literacy help in their early years are more likely to:
✔️ Succeed academically (Lonigan & Shanahan, 2009)
✔️ Stay engaged in school
✔️ Build confidence and motivation
✔️ Enjoy reading and lifelong learning

Without intervention, literacy challenges can continue into later schooling, making learning harder and lowering self-esteem.

Final Thoughts

Early literacy difficulties don’t have to define your child’s learning journey. With evidence-based strategies and the support of a speech pathologist, children can build strong foundations in reading, writing, and confidence.

✨ If you’re concerned about your child’s literacy, reach out to a qualified speech pathologist today—early support can change their future.