Why Your Child Mixes Up Word and How to Help Them Thrive

- GATE academy

Have you heard your child say something like: 

• “Ephalant” instead of “Elephant”?
• “Was” when they meant “saw”?
• “Definately” instead of “Definitely”?

This can be confusing and even worrying for parents. But rest assured, language development is a journey, and most children experience bumps along the way. The key is understanding why it happens and how to offer the right kind of support early.

Why Do Children Mix Up Words? 

There are several possible reasons:

1. Phonemic Awareness Gaps
   Your child may struggle to recognize or manipulate sounds in spoken words, especially when sounds are similar (like “b” and “d”).
2. Working Memory Limitations
   Children sometimes forget the exact structure or pronunciation of a word mid-sentence. This leads to substitutions, reversals, or invented pronunciations.
3. Visual Similarities
   Words like "from" and "form" look similar. Without strong word recognition skills, children can confuse them, especially when reading fast.
4. Lack of Exposure
   Children who haven’t heard or seen enough words in different contexts may guess unfamiliar words based on what “sounds right.”
5. Learning Differences
   In some cases, consistent word confusion could signal underlying learning difficulties like dyslexia or auditory processing disorder.

What You Can Do at Home 

To help your child outside of professional assistance, simple habits like these around the home can help:

• Read with your child daily, and let them read aloud to you
• Gently correct mispronunciations and ask them to repeat the word slowly
• Play games like “word rhymes” or “guess the missing letter”
• Use magnetic letters, flashcards, or label common household items with their names
• Celebrate small wins; confidence is key to growth

We’ve seen students go from struggling to read basic words to confidently writing full paragraphs in under 3 months of consistent support. And the best part? Many parents report that their children start enjoying reading again.

Say goodbye to the stress of managing multiple kids' different results while juggling work. Let us ease the load and support your children on their academic journey, ensuring they excel in school and beyond. Contact us today and give your child the advantage they need!