Can your child starting reception in Sept read/write?

[puddymuddles]

Just that really. DD was 4 in April and isn't interested and I haven't pushed it especially as I have a 2 year old and a newborn and haven't got time! She is happy and healthy and her speech is really good, she loves playing fantasy games and making up stories.

I was not bothered until now but have spoken to a few parents and their DCs can all read or at least recognize all letters and sounds of letters together. Or are they all exaggerating?

I think the most important thing is DD is happy and kind and enjoys school but don't want her to be the only one who is behind. or am I being silly?

[Pedestriana]

My DD is keen to learn! She can read a few simple words, and can write her name. She knows what the different letters are called and the sounds they make, but does get mixed up writing 'b' and 'd'.
The school she's going to teach joined-up/cursive writing, whereas at home we've used simple letter forms.
I've not pushed any of this though, it's all from her asking to do things.

[KeyserSophie]

There will be a spread of abilities but your daughter will be within the normal bracket so don't worry.

[WheresMyCow]

DS (5 in October) can do neither. Like your DD his speech is really good, he's always making up stories and songs and loves make believe/roll play type games.

He does mark making, and will attempt to write his name, but the only letter that looks anything like is the letter "I", which is pretty easy by anyone's standards as it's a straight line!! He recognises the letters from his name and some others too, but that's it.

He does love stories though, and is always asking me what the words say, so I just encourage that.

I wouldn't worry too much, I'm sure they won't be the only children in reception who can't read or write

[TeddyBear5]

I have two.

Dd is almost 5 and can do both, it seems to have clicked quite easily and she enjoys doing it for pleasure.

Ds is 4 on Saturday and can recognise his name and a couple of other sounds but that's it. Has a rough go at copying his name but it's not always right.

So both ends of the scale there...

[DextersMistress]

Ds can write his name and a few other letters but that's it. He won't even entertain trying to read, we've tried a few times as he does know the letters but he gets frustrated he can't do it straight away and gives up. I'm not worried.

[whatsagoodusername]

DS (5 in November) recognises letters and numbers. I'm not sure if he knows the sounds of the letters or just their names. I definitely haven't done phonics-type things with him.

He can write his name, and write letters and numbers, although sometimes they are backwards. He can read his name and his brother's, but that's it.

I wouldn't worry - she won't be the only one who doesn't know these things yet, and at this age enjoying school is the important bit.

DS2 is a year younger than DS1 and I'm pretty sure he's behind where DS1 was at the same age. They've got quite different interests - DS1 was always interested in letters and numbers, DS2 seems less so.

[IsItMeOr]

Sounds perfectly normal.

It will help if she can recognise her name written down (for finding her coat peg/drawer).

It also helps a lot if she can take herself to the toilet/re-dress herself/wash hands.

They didn't get changed for PE in the first term at DS's school, but I didn't know that, so had tried to get him undressing and dressing himself (with him having to turn his own clothes the right way out again) a few times at home.

Alphablocks was fantastic for getting DS familiar with all the letters, and they use the correct sounds for them, so it will fit with how they teach it at school.

[MTWTFSS]

No. But he gets very excited when he sees certain letters he recognises and he loves writing the first letter of his name :)

[KittyandTeal]

I'm a reception teacher.

The majority of children join us recognising their name, mark making and 'writing' (as in making marks and assigning a meaning to it) their name.

Most of the children I teach who have a decent, broad 'education' at home; as in their parents chat to them, they go places etc and don't have any SN pick up reading and writing quite quickly once they start school.

It is quite tricky teaching phonics in particular to children who have been 'taught' it at home but the parents has mispronounced all the sounds!

I'd say keep doing what you're doing and she'll pick it up easy enough

[carriebrody]

I'm a nursery teacher. Most children starting Reception cannot do any more than write their name, if that.

Recognising her name is very useful, writing is great if she can.
Enjoying stories, drawing and mark making is much more important.
Being able to hear sounds is much, much more important than knowing what sounds the letters make at this point eg what sound does cat start with? If you sound out "get your sh-oo-s" does she know what you mean?

Confidence, curiosity, self-care skills, ability to follow instructions - these matter much more than early reading.

[Elsashmelsa]

We chose quite an academic pre-school for DD because she is Summer born and I was worried that she would struggle.

So when she left pre-school she could read about 20 high frequency words. I had bought some Read Inc (or whatever they're called - can't remember now) books from the Book People and she learnt to read the first level of the books before she started in the September. She also knew her alphabet and could write words and short (3/4 word) sentences.

However when she started she was way ahead of the majority of the children in the class so I needn't have worried!!

There was such a huge range of abilities. There was one boy whose Mum is a teacher who was very good at Maths and good at Reading etc and there were a group of girls who were almost at DD's level in reading/writing, but then there were some who didn't know the alphabet at all.

I really wouldn't worry AT ALL.

[NoParking]

Dd2 can read words like 'cat' or 'bang' but can't begin to write at all, not even sure if she's left or right handed yet and tripod grip is still a struggle for her. She can recognise her name but I did get name labels with cars on (her choice of picture), which helps

[doublepotions]

My DD has just turned 4, she can recognise her name written down but cannot write it. She is really good at phonics and recognising individual letters due to having speech therapy. So I wouldn't worry at all if I were you.

[Avidreader12]

My son just 4 summer born can write and recognise his first name.That's it. Not worrying as they all start at different points and teacher should be able to accommodate range of abilities in reception. Also still feel 4 is still quite young to be going to school...

[Wrecktum]

Nah. DD (4.5) can recognise her name and some letters but her writing's iffy (can just about do her name but with a lot of help) and certainly can't read. The kids of my teacher friends can do a fair bit more, on the whole. The rest of us - not so much.

[Cabawill]

My DD (4.4) can recognise her name and some letters of the alphabet. She can count to 20 but can't read or do any kind of writing, but will draw circles and lines to make "words".

[catkind]

DS at 4.5 couldn't write at all, recognised some letters. He has stayed behind with writing, though made good progress. But he also couldn't/wouldn't draw, and couldn't manage a proper pencil grip, so I think he was just behind most 4 yr olds at fine motor type things.

[VolumniaDedlock]

yes. oddly dd2 is a fair bit better at writing than reading. She can copy stuff out really well, and read very simple phonic words - cat, dog, that kind of thing. she's one of the eldest at nursery though - halloween birthday.

However, dd1 couldn't read a word when she started in reception, and was reading really well by the Christmas break.

[TwentiethCenturyGirl]

My summer born DD can read bits and make a decent hash at writing most cvc words. However that's only because she's been in the school nursery for a year and has been taught there.

[mrz]

In my school it's very usual for children to start reception reading or writing.

[notasgreenasimcabbagelooking]

I've taught p1 for nearly 30 years and I could count on my fingers how many children could read/write on intake-and those who could do it, weren't necessarily "academic" or "better readers" throughout their school career, any more than those children who learned to walk at 9months were better "walkers" aged 5, than those who didn't walk until 16 months. Recognising their name is useful. Some "skills" with pencil grip/scissors would be great -but if that's a pipe dream at this stage then building up strength in the fingers and grip by using clothes pegs/ blu tak/ tearing paper etc.
I was in school today doing some setting up and seeing those new little names in the claoakroom etc was lovely! I miss my "old" class of course but I never get tired of welcoming in a new batch and getting to know them. There is something very special about being a P1 teacher-I'm very lucky! (The bits outside the classroom.....less lovely! Nearly 30 years in the job in a one steam entry school means I'm not "just" a p1 teacher! I'm head of fs/ks1, LitCo, DT, pastoral care coordinator, SLT etc etc!)

[suitcaseofdreams]

I have twin boys who turned 4 in March. Both can recognise their (and each other's) first names but not our surname. One can write his first name pretty well. The other can only write the first letter of his name (he does have 'harder' letters in his name and is left handed). They are both quite good with numbers and can count to 100 with just a little help around 60/70. They can also do some simple sums (5 and 5 is 10 etc) - this has come from childminder I assume as I haven't 'taught' it. They know most letters of the alphabet but a few they get wrong and they are always mixing up b,d, p...they certainly can't read or write though and I'm not at all bothered. I am focusing on practical skills and just reading lots and lots to them - I figure the teachers can sort out their reading and writing and tbh at 4.5 when they start school they really have plenty of time to get into the 'academic' side of things, I'd rather they played and enjoyed their 'freedom' as long as possible ????

[happymummyone]

My DD knows most letters and can spell her name but can't read or write anything else! I was told by her teacher that she would prefer the parents not to teach kids this because 'I'll only have to teach them how to do it again...correctly'! So I'm not worried.

[EugenesAxe]

I think the worst thing you could do is foist these things on a child who isn't bothered, so what you are doing is good. She will be taught all the building blocks to reading and writing in reception - along with any children that can already do it - and will come along in her own time. See how she's doing at your Spring teacher's meeting and if you are worried ask if you could do more at home.

In my experience, teachers give suggestions as to what you can do to help your child develop in the six or so EYFS areas as part of each terms Topic. Also if teachers are concerned with some fundamental aspect of learning/development (towards end of EYFS assessment period) they will probably tell you.

So don't worry now, although I know it's easy to! For writing and other fine motor activities they basically need strong arm & core muscles, so get out and about and allow her to build those through play. Things like bead transfer from one box to another with tweezers help the fine motor movements.

[MrsHathaway]

Mine was four in April. He can write and recognise his own name (and surname initial - curse of popular name!) and has a rudimentary knowledge of other letters because preschool had a go through them in the last six months. He loves copying words his elder brother writes out for him but frequently substitutes similar letters (b/d etc) or uses capitals or writes right to left or mirror writing. He likes to listen for initial sounds and tries to find words on a page by their initial letter (eg reading the Gruffalo and looking out for G).

DC1 was far less interested at the same stage and basically didn't bother trying until it clicked at Christmas. He caught up though.

Opportunities to make marks and look at writing, opportunities to count and measure and manipulate shapes (Lego). Continually asking and answering questions on any topic. That's what matters.