An expert panel of reading researchers says mixing up letters such as b and d is common among children in the early grades. Its advice is to teach one of the two letters until the child knows it instantly, before bringing in the other. This is the panel's advice. It was not tested in a trial of its own.
The panel says letter reversals, such as confusing d for b, are common among children in the early grades.
Its advice is to focus on one letter at a time: teach the first letter shape in a variety of ways until the child can identify it instantly.
Then teach another letter or two while still reviewing the first. After that, focus on the second of the confused letters on its own. Last, bring both letters into different words to make sure the child knows each one.
If a child keeps struggling with reversals, the panel recommends a handwriting program, because writing a letter focuses the child's attention and hand-eye coordination on its shape.
For some children, particularly older ones, continued problems with letter reversals can point to a disability or another reading difficulty that needs additional attention.
We read each of these ourselves on October 9, 2026. Follow the links to read them too.
“Mixes up b and d”
Tell b from d is a full 10-day plan, with a short video that shows you every step. The goal: on day 10 your child tells b from d, in letters, in words never seen before, and in their own writing. It is the goal, not a promise.
