Reading problems: When to worry

PDF download is not available for Arabic and Urdu languages at this time. Please use the browser print function instead

Learn about some signs that indicate your child may need extra help with reading.

Key points

  • ​There are signs starting as soon as junior kindergarten to look out for that may indicate your child is having problems with reading.
  • ​If your child is having problems with reading and needs extra help consult with a teacher or education professional.

You should begin to have concerns and seek guidance from a teacher or other educational professional if your child shows signs they need extra help with reading.

Signs that your child may be having problems with reading include:

  • trouble learning colour names in junior kindergarten
  • trouble learning letter names in senior kindergarten
  • trouble hearing rhymes or isolating sounds in words
  • trouble blending sounds together
  • difficulty recognizing a word after having seen it many times in many different contexts
  • after sounding out a word, giving an unrelated word
  • frequent letter or number reversals by the end of Grade One, especially if there has been more than three months of practice
  • consistent omission or transposition of letters in words, for example, "gril" instead of "girl"
  • choppy, slow reading
  • a limited sight vocabulary

More information


For more videos from SickKids experts in collaboration with Youngster, visit Youngster on YouTube.

Last updated: October 31st 2009