Does your child mix up “b” and “d” when reading or writing? You’re not alone. This common phenomenon, known as b and d reversal, is extremely common among many young learners when learning to read and write.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explore why it happens and share five proven strategies to help your child overcome this challenge.
Understanding B and D Reversal: What You Need to Know
First and foremost, let’s clear up a big worry: b and d reversal is totally normal and doesn’t automatically mean dyslexia.
I wanted to start with this because I’ve noticed some parents panic over the “b” and “d” confusion their children exhibit, wondering if it’s a sign of dyslexia. I just want to reassure them that it isn’t.
In fact, this happens to most kids to some degree when they’re learning to read and write.
Believe it or not, it has to do with how our brains work! Our minds are wired to recognize objects and faces, regardless of their orientation. For instance, this ability lets us recognize that these two faces are, in fact, the same person. It’s a handy skill, but one we have to “unlearn” a little when it comes to letters, reading, and writing!

5 Effective Strategies to Fix B and D Confusion
#1: Focus on correct letter formation
When you are teaching kids how to write the letter “b,” make sure they start with the stick first, followed by the circle.

For letter b, when they are working on their tracing, you can say this: “big stick comes before big belly.”
When they are learning to write the letter “d,” make sure they start with the circle first, followed by the stick.

These are not necessarily the hand movements or the order that children will naturally follow. I’ve seen kids do all sort of things when they are writing their letters- and you probably have too!
If you don’t teach them explicitly, most kids will have their hand movements all over the place. Besides, it takes practice and repetition!
This why letter tracing-worksheets have numbers and arrows showing the right direction for letter formation, guiding kids on how to move their hands. The numbers, indicate the number of strokes for the letter.
So, a great idea is to use these dotted letter-tracing worksheets with arrows and numbers, and ensure that kids actually follow the correct directions when practicing handwriting.
On top of this, remind them frequently and watch what they are doing, because they tend to forget easily!
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#2: The “bed” Strategy
This is a “classic” and effective trick to fix b and d confusion:
- Write the word “bed” on a piece of paper or whiteboard
- Point out how the letter b forms the headboard, and d forms the foot of the bed

If you are not very good at drawing, like me, you can use this visual, instead (part of our “Solve b/d Reversal” bundle – download for free here!).

Alternatively, you can use your hands to form a thumbs-up bed, where the left hand makes a b, and the right hand makes a d.

Watch me demonstrate this technique in the video below.
For this trick, which is really well-known (probably the most popular trick for b and d reversals), Jack Hartman has a nice song that you can show your kids.
#3: The Alphabet Trick: “c loves d”
This trick leverages the alphabet sequence (a, b, c d) showing a “relationship” between the letters “c” and “d.” Sounds complicated, but it is super simple!
- Write a, b, c, d on a board (alternatively, you can use lowercase alphabet cards)
- Point out how the letter “c” looks like it’s trying to hug the letter “d,” so much so that there’s a c hiding in the letter d
- Explain that “d” is like a “c” with a stick added to complete the hug
You can tell them something like this: “The letter c loves d so much that it tries to give it a big hug. To form the letter d, we start with c, and then we close the hug by adding a stick at the end.”
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#4: Mouth Shapes
Our mouth shape can also provide clues to distinguish b and d:
- When saying /b/ as in “bat,” lips come together to form a straight line, just like the straight stick in the letter b.
- When saying /d/ as in “dog,” the tongue curves upward inside the mouth, mimicking the round shape at the beginning of d.
You can also encourage children to look in a mirror as they pronounce these sounds and match their mouth shapes with the corresponding letter.

#5: The Visual Story – “b” has a belly, “d” has a diaper
Here’s a fun trick kids love – tell them that “b” has a big belly and “d” wears a diaper! Use visuals, like the ones below (also included in our free Solve b/d reversal bundle), to stick this funny image in their minds!


You can also remind them: “First comes the belly, then comes the diaper!”
Why Do B and D Reversals Happen?
As mentioned before, letter reversals are part of a child’s natural development. Our brains are wired to recognize objects, faces, and letters in any direction. This symmetry mechanism helps with general object recognition but can interfere with reading.
Final Thoughts
With consistent practice using these strategies, most children will naturally overcome this challenge. The key is patience, regular practice, and using a combination of these techniques to find what works best for your child.
Don’t hesitate to try different approaches – what works brilliantly for one child might not be as effective for another. The most important thing is to keep the learning process fun and encouraging while providing plenty of opportunities for practice.
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Hey there! I’m Laura – an author, YouTuber, blogger, and the creator of the “Learning Reading Hub” platform. I created this space to dive into the world of reading instruction and to shout from the rooftops about how vital it is to use the right methods for teaching reading. I’ve got a TEYL certification (Teaching English to Young Learners), plus a Journalism degree from the University of Navarra in Spain, along with a Master’s Degree in Communication.
I’ve always loved digging into research, jotting down my thoughts, connecting with people, and sharing what makes me tick. With a background in marketing, digital projects, and the education scene (especially language learning), I’m all about wearing different hats.
When my first kid needed to learn how to read, it opened my eyes to the challenges and complexities involved. This journey took me through a rollercoaster of self-teaching, eye-opening discoveries, and yeah, some letdowns too. There’s so much conflicting info out there, along with methods that just don’t cut it. And let’s face it, these issues are way too common.
Now, I’m all about channeling that passion (without sounding like a know-it-all!) and sharing my journey. My mission? Making it easier for those who are on the same path I once was.
My heart’s with my family and the amazing Learning Reading Hub project. I live with my husband and two little ones, raising them in a bi-lingual environment (English and Spanish).