#70 Series Addiction: Why Your Child Reads the Same Books Over and Over (And Why That's Perfect)
Does it feel like your child has read the same Dog Man book three times, and you’re secretly panicked they’ve hit a plateau? Are you worried that their obsession with a specific series is just a way to avoid a "real" challenge? Today, we’re flipping the script on "series addiction" and looking at why that repetitive reading is actually a dyslexic superpower in disguise.
In this episode, I dive into the fascinating research that shows children are 60% more likely to retain new vocabulary through repeated exposure to familiar stories. We’ll discuss how the "comfort zone" of a series actually frees up your child’s brain to master deep comprehension and critical thinking without the exhaustion of constant decoding. Plus, I’m also tackling how to handle school pushback when teachers insist on "moving up" a level, and more.
It’s time to stop fighting the obsession and start leaning into the growth. Pull up a chair and let’s talk about why your child’s "safe place" series is really the key to building a lifelong reader!
Would you like to understand reports, ask the right questions, and get schools to take you seriously? Together Through Dyslexia 6-month program provides expert mentorship for parents of dyslexics and struggling readers, and you can claim your spot now at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/together-through-dyslexia!
My mini-course, From Lost to Empowered: How to Get Your Struggling Reader: The 3-Step Evaluation Request Blueprint for Parents of Struggling Readers, is available now! This 3-step evaluation request blueprint walks you through everything you need to know, from documenting concerns with the right details to writing the evaluation request letter with language that triggers legal timelines, to handling what to do when schools try to push you off, and so much more. You can break through the barriers NOW and get instant access at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/from-lost-to-empowered.
Topics Covered:
- The "Series Secret" in action and what happens in my clinical sessions when a struggling reader finally discovers a series that "clicks [2:02]
- Why series reading is a literal superpower for the dyslexic brain [3:02]
- The big reasons you should prioritize your child’s specific interests over arbitrary reading levels [5:16]
- How I use these books as high-value incentives in my practice to keep students engaged through the "heavy lifting" of literacy drills [6:33]
- What you can do to navigate school pushback and how to handle those frustrating conversations with teachers who claim your child "isn't challenging themselves” [7:16]
Key Takeaways:
- Repetition is a retention powerhouse and reading the same series isn't "stalling" - it’s a scientifically proven way to internalize language.
- A child's passion for a particular topic provides the "cognitive fuel" needed to tackle text that might otherwise be above their independent reading level.
- By using familiar characters, settings, and author styles, dyslexic learners can stop spending all their mental energy on decoding the basics and start focusing on deep comprehension and critical thinking.
Links & Resources Mentioned:
Hilo (Series) by Judd Winick
The Bad Guys (Series) by Aaron Blabey
The Brooklyn Nine by Alan Gratz
Dragon Master (Series) by Tracey West
The Sisters 8 (Series) by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Percy Jackson (Series) by Rick Riordan
Mercy Watson (Series) by Kate DiCamillo
Press Start! (Series) by Thomas Flintham
Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
When you're ready to work with me, here are 3 ways I can help you:
Claim your spot now to Together Through Dyslexia, my 6-month program providing expert mentorship for parents of dyslexics and struggling readers!
Subscribe to my Podcast Literacy Untangled Podcast for bimonthly episodes on navigating the dyslexia journey with your kid.
Want 1:1 help from an Orton-Gillingham expert? Book a call to see how I help kids who are struggling to learn how to read.
Have a question or want a certain topic covered? Send an email to [email protected] or a DM on Instagram.
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