Why does my child start reading Hebrew from the left?

She is transferring the left-to-right habit from English, where that side is always the start. Anchoring on the right edge of the page before reading, every time, breaks the habit with repetition.

Is starting on the wrong side normal at this age?

Yes, especially for children learning both alphabets at once. It usually resolves within grade 1 with consistent practice pointing to the right-hand start.

Does this affect writing too, not just reading?

It can — some children also start writing Hebrew letters from the left margin. The same right-edge anchor helps with both.

How does Maya teach this differently?

Maya asks which letter comes first in a specific word rather than only having the child read the whole line, so a flipped starting point shows up right away.

HebrewGrade 1ages 6–7

⬅️ Right to left

Hebrew reads from right to left, the mirror of English — a child fluent in English print naturally tries the left edge first, and that single flipped habit can derail every word after it.

Updated September 16, 2026 · Maya Tutor

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What your child learns

Hebrew is read right to left.
The first letter is the one on the right.
In שלום, ש sits on the right — it is first.
The letter on the left is last, not the opening.

The mistake most kids make here

Starting at the left letter, like a Latin line.

Try one question

In שלום, what is the first letter?

שלום

Answer

ש — Yes. The ש on the right is the opening.

How Maya teaches it

Your child tells Maya what they did in class. She teaches this topic at her desk, asks questions with tappable answers, and when the answer is wrong she explains why that answer was tempting instead of saying “try again”. She remembers what did not land and comes back to it.

Your child has it when they can: In שלום the first letter is ש, on the right.

How to help at home

This isn't confusion about letters — your child already knows them. She is applying the starting side that works for every English book she has ever held, and Hebrew asks for the opposite one.

Tonight, open a Hebrew book or worksheet together and put a finger on the right-hand edge of the first word before reading a single letter: “in Hebrew, we always start over here.” Do this every time for a week before asking her to find the start herself.

If she points left, don't just say “wrong” — turn the page toward her and ask “which side does the story open on in this book?” so she checks the binding, not just habit.

A good sign she has it: she can open any Hebrew page cold and put her finger on the first letter without being told which side to check.

Questions parents ask

Why does my child start reading Hebrew from the left?: She is transferring the left-to-right habit from English, where that side is always the start. Anchoring on the right edge of the page before reading, every time, breaks the habit with repetition.
Is starting on the wrong side normal at this age?: Yes, especially for children learning both alphabets at once. It usually resolves within grade 1 with consistent practice pointing to the right-hand start.
Does this affect writing too, not just reading?: It can — some children also start writing Hebrew letters from the left margin. The same right-edge anchor helps with both.
How does Maya teach this differently?: Maya asks which letter comes first in a specific word rather than only having the child read the whole line, so a flipped starting point shows up right away.

Try this lesson free

No card needed. The first lesson is free.

Download on the App Store

More Hebrew lessons

Sources: Israeli Ministry of Education – Hebrew language curriculum, elementary (in Hebrew)