Normal reading /counting level for a 5 year old

[lillybeebee]

This is not the sort of questions I can ask other Mums at the school, because I don't want it to look like I am comparing, but my 5 yr old son seems to be exceptional at reading.

He is only in reception class at school and could actually read every word that I am typing in the thread.

Is that normal? Or is it just me?

He messes around in class at school and I am beginning to wonder if it is because he is bored??

The teacher often says they have had good days or bad days with him. He won't sit still, shouts out the answers to questions...

He can also tell me how you write every number up to 1000.

Am I being ridiculous or is this quite normal?

Thanks

[virgil]

I think he's probably very bright and you should be very proud of him but I would not say exceptional. In DS2's reception class there are six boys who are on stage seven or above and two of them are able to pick up and read pretty much anything. Whether they understand it all is of course a completely different question!

[jamaisjedors]

That sounds v. good (but here in France they don't read until they are 7.)

Why are you letting him read a thread about himself?

How on earth does he know how to write the numbers up to a thousand - where would he have seen them written?

I wouldn't push him too fast, I could read fluently like that at 4.5 and was utterly bored with my "look book" for several years - but then I became over confident in my abilities and never got into the habit of actually doing any work...

[lillybeebee]

haha :) yes, he does seem to understand..
for example, he read New Zealand and says to me that his friends Dad is from New Zealand.

It's just his behaviour .. teacher says he was standing at the window barking like dog! won't listen, won't sit still, shouts out strange things, babbles on about a load of rubbish and talks and talks for England !

Even when I put him to bed, he is still asking me if I know what 9 plus 12 is and things like that !!

Just wondering if he is being stimulated enough for his needs at school or if boys behave like that maybe? or if I should look into this more, because he is bright and needs more from school

[jamaisjedors]

Although I would be cautious about saying he messes around because he's bored.

If he's that bright he'll find stuff to do, like read a book or write something, surely?

[lillybeebee]

I am not letting him read this thread, just saying that he could read it - meaning he would be able to read all of these words (hope that makes sense)

[jamaisjedors]

Cross post but it was relevant anyway.

I wouldn't agree that "boys" behave like that, mine don't !

Asking what 9 + 12 is I wouldn't say is extraordinary or odd, our DS do this (but DH is a maths teacher)! They all come out with random stuff.

What is it you actually want him to learn at school if you are worried about him being challenged? If he can read he can learn lots of things himself surely?

[lillybeebee]

When they have to sit down on the carpet at school and answer questions, he won't sit still apparently - that's what I mean about messing around at school because he is bored? I don't know if it is because he is bored - just wondering what you guys thought

[virgil]

I don't think it's a case of pushing him at all. There are lots of ways children learn numbers. Endless games of top trumps taught ours. OP can you do extra things with him at home to ensure he doesn't get bored? Personally I'd talk to his teacher to ask if there is anything you can do to support him and help him and see what they say.

[lillybeebee]

I just don't want to pick him up from school and teacher says he was a nightmare today.

Why is he such a nightmare for them?

That's what I am wondering

[virgil]

I also think some boys are just very active and it's probably just in his nature to be a fidget bottom

[jamaisjedors]

I'm not sure that not sitting still is a sign of being bored, I think it's a skill they have to learn (well a useful for academic life skill anyway!).

The 3 year olds here have to sit still in their chairs and on the carpet.

Can you suggest some things for him to do if he is feeling twitchy? Talk it over with him and find out?

[alixy]

I have to say I think your child sounds exceptional and i'd push the teachers to ensure he was being given enough lateral activity i.e. applying what he seems so good at in different situations especially numbers - my daughter loves numbers so I give her Sudoku, multiplication mazes etc...she's only in year R but enjoys applying her love of numbers to other things in life - which will only help her in the real world!

[Swed]

Buy him a calculator. My 4 year old is gifted and talented/exceptional etc and we bought him a calculator and he adores it. He worked out yesterday how many minutes it will be until his big brother comes home from university.

[lillybeebee]

That is the kind of road I was thinking of, but didn't want to think that I was being a pushy Mum or over reacting.

I have 2 other kids, I'm not like that, but there is something more with my son... he seems to be quite bright in my opinion.

[lillybeebee]

that's brilliant !!

[DeWe]

My 4yo ds (but reception) is currently exploring fractions (addition/subtraction) with his big sisters. He can (and does) read from any adult guide to aeroplanes. However when he's a pain at school I am certain it is not because he's bored. It's because he likes to see how far he can push.

Academically he's coasting, but he's got such a lot of other things to learn that he isn't bored, more doesn't want to bother with what he doesn't find easy.

[lillybeebee]

I just checked - his book is stage 4 and I don't think that's anywhere near enough for him (especially compared to what he reads at home)
So in reception, they obviously are able to get the kids on to a higher level, but in his class they are clearly not.

I am wondering if the school are just working at a certain pace and can't keep up with his needs.

The book gets changed once a week, but he could have a new one every day!

They are little sponges when they are young and I just think that if he has this ability, then the school should actively encourage it

[lillybeebee]

I don't want my son to be the 'nightmare' child - poor thing :)
He is a good boy normally and a very loving child - just seems over eager maybe then?

[Swed]

At St Albans High School for Girls prep school they are ALL at or past reading Stage 10 at the end of reception. ALL of them.

Lillybeebee - go to the library every 2/3 days and get him to read all sorts of books to you, not just the boring reading scheme ones.

And I suspect he is mucking about because he's bored. There is such a lot of hanging about at primary school.

[CecilyP]

Your DS sounds quite advanced where reading and numbers are concerned and presumably had no difficulty learning these thing. But other things have to be learned as well; sitting still when required, listening, not talking when the teacher is talking, taking turns, putting your hand up to answer questions rather than shouting out so that other children who may also know the answer can have a go. Your DS does not seem to have mastered these skills yet and I doubt if it is because he is bored. Try to work with the teacher to put in place strategies to encourage him to be less twitchy - though it may come with maturity anyway.

It his reading books are too easy or changes too , that is a separate issue, so perhaps, you could also speak to the teacher about moving forward more quickly. In the meantime, I would also suggest the library.

[LarnzLive]

He does sound like an intelligent little boy! Children do play up if they are bored, but first you need to make sure he 'can' sit there etc. He may be playing up because there aren't any consequences and the kids laugh or something.
It would be great for him to be able to go to a more advanced school - I know that here in New Zealand, teachers want the kids to all remain average, in ALL areas. I hate the fact, and would love to homeschool haha.