Why children mix up b and d, and how to help
Reviewed by Chinh Q. Hoang, PhD, founder, English for Fun · 2026-10-30
Short answer: mixing up b and d (and p and q) is normal when children are learning letters, and usually fades as they read and write more. According to Understood.org, letter reversals are fairly common until about the end of second grade. If your child still reverses letters a lot by then, talk to their teacher.
Why it happens
- b and d are the same shape facing different ways. A real cup is still a cup whichever way it faces, so children have to learn that for letters, direction changes the letter.
- Children learning two alphabets (for example Vietnamese and English) meet the same b and d in both.
- Reversing letters is not, on its own, a sign of dyslexia.
5 ways to help
- One letter at a time: secure b first, then d a few weeks later.
- The "bed" trick: write bed; the b and d are the two ends of the bed with e in the middle.
- Multisensory writing: write the letter in sand or in the air while saying its name.
- Teach each letter as one flowing movement: b starts with a straight line, d starts with a circle.
- Listen and point: you say "b", your child points. Letter Island practices letter names this way.
- Trace the letter on screen with the free game Letter Trace, then write it on paper.
When to talk to a teacher
- Your child still reverses letters a lot by about the end of second grade.
- Your child finds reading hard in general, not only b and d.
- Letter names and letter sounds are different skills; see what phonics is, and when to start.
Questions
Is it normal for a child to mix up b and d?
Yes. Reversing b and d (and p and q) is common while children learn letters, and it usually fades as they read and write more.
When should I talk to a teacher?
If a child still reverses letters often by about the end of second grade, talk to their teacher.