What age would you say my child was

I'm no education expert, so can only go by how I've handled things (rightly or wrongly) with my own DD.

Things that seemed to help her handwriting were colouring books e.g. practicing staying in the lines, using craft scissors carefully e.g making snowflakes, threading beads. All these things help build up fine motor skills in their hands and fingers.
Anything that fosters a love of learning new things, will help her catch up any missed work when she is well enough.

I felt with EVERYTHING, from sleeping through, trying new foods, potty training, reading and writing etc. that as long as she was making progress, no matter how small I wasn't going to worry or compare to others. My gut told me that things would even out in the end.
Do you know what? Now DD is a teenager, I have no idea which of her friends could walk or write their name first. They all just did things at their own pace.

I think the fact that she is thinking of gifts for you show emotional intelligence and a lovely nature, both things that will serve her well.

Writing looks like age 4 - 5. Maybe 6.

That’s ok for a 6 year old. Please don’t worry about her writing. If her health is improving and literacy and maths are ok seems like she’ll be in a great place soon.
good luck xx

I'd say 5/6, Y1 ish. There are quite a few quick fixes though. She's mixing capitals and lower case letters, her letter formation (particularly "a") needs some work, and there are some backwards letters. Handwriting practise books and some solid teaching of where to use capitals could immediately elevate the standard of the writing. It doesn't appear she's having problems with her fine motor skills as the letters are consistent and the drawings are neat.

My daughter wrote very similarly to yours at age 6. She is now 12 and still writes/spells similarly however she is dyslexic. I don't say this to suggest your child is dyslexic, more to point out that writing isn't necessarily indicative of age or intellectual ability. My daughter is incredibly bright, she just struggles with writing things down and processing. Your child is doing brilliantly especially given she's missed some schooling! Her list is so sweet and heartfelt. She seems like a really caring girl. Well done mama!

It's because children are legally required to be educated.

My son really likes hospital school. Our children's hospital has it's own classroom and he gets to mix with some of the other children with long hospital stays, it says it makes him feel a bit more normal.

It of course is very different to actual school and is largely about learning through play and each child's interest. They also do scouts every Monday, baking every Tuesday etc.

5

I'm so sorry to hear your little girl isn't well and I hope she recovers soon poor pet. Her picture is so similar to what my son would draw although instead of writing a list of presents for me he leaves notes saying "weewee and stinky bum" instead. He's nearly six.

Bless her. Don't worry about writing atm as getting her health better is far more important. My sons handwriting was like that at 7/8 and he was really struggling. A summer with a supportive teacher (gave him 2 ten minute exercises a day) and he soon caught up. All the best for you little girl.

@Therewerenosnowdaysinthenineties

What kind of illness is she suffering from, OP? Is it something which could continue to affect her?

Am asking in case a particular approach would be helpful with her return to school.

When will she be starting classes again?

I wonder whether her favourite teacher would be supportive if you got in touch about your concerns.

So my premie twins were slow starters in getting the hang of school and their writing was like this at that age. Currently in y6 and on track for expected standard its a lovely list ❤️

So cute! I have no idea what age but a great list of gifts.

My four year old's writing is a lot more advanced than that. My seven year old's writing has only just got better than that. They really do go at their own pace. Your child's health is absolutely the most important thing. Let her play and create. The writing can wait.

Try not to stress OP. My eldest dc only attended school 60% of the time from year 8. He was persistent school refuser. He still passed every gcse 4-8 and hot As at A level. He was there enough it seems and was beside myself sick eith worry. It will turn out OK. Just via offbeat path.

Dd wrote like that until about Yr 3. It smoothed out markedly at the same time as her swimming came together. Her swimming was particularly noticeable because the difference was over a period of just a couple of weeks.

Therefore, I would not fret as her comprehension is tracking well. You just need to wait for the next step in her brain development to happen and that will happen in its own time. Don’t push her for what she can’t do YET.

This is so cute! I wouldn’t be worried OP.

Oh and the writing is similar to my 6 year old’s!

I was going to say 6 too as pretty much identical to the writing on a thank you card from my bright and articulate 6 year old niece. Really hope your daughter is back to full health very soon.

Hi OP, I’m sorry your DD has been so ill. I feel for you.

I was seriously ill at around the same age/a bit older. I was a voracious reader but I fell way behind in my schooling, especially in maths.

However, I found any discussion of school work when I was sick and in hospital incredibly stressful. I had enough to deal with surviving, and dealing with the assault on the senses that is children’s hospital.

I’m very against hospital schools for this reason.

I liken it to going to going to visit a friend in hospital and giving them their laptop and a pile of work to be getting on with. We just don’t do that to adults so we shouldn’t do it to children (not that I’m suggesting you’re thinking of doing anything like that)

My advice is, when she’s fully better, get her a maths tutor to catch up. Maths is cumulative and it’s harder to catch up when you’ve missed out.

Please don't worry about her education she will and can catch up. Dc1 was ill all through school particularly years 7-9 (when we were told dc would fail all gcses, but actually passed all with grades 4-6). I told dc (much to the teachers annoyance) that health comes first we can be educated at any age if we're well enough. Yes it's harder but her health is your priority and I'm sure you've got enough to worry about without worrying about education to. When she's well enough concentrate on reading, writing and maths plus what ever she's interested in (because we all learn much better when we're interested).
Dc is now 21 bought their own home (with no help), is working as an apprentice while attending uni one day a week. It's not been easy but it goes to show you can catch up.

I'd say age 6. I am q surprised some people are saying reception as my 4 year old is nowhere near that!

Bloody hell. Yes I know the ages of school children, I have 4 of them, the writing looks like my 6 year olds (year 1) I meant year one 🤯 it’s been a long day, forgive me.

Haven't read the full thread but thought I'd throw my opinion in as a primary teacher.

Definitely not a Reception child (4-5). The only way it could be is if they are copying the words as "care" and "bear" contain digraphs not learnt until Y1. "For" is also a HFW they wouldn't learn yet.

For this stage in the year (3 weeks into term 2) I'd be very happy with a year 1 (5-6yo) producing this independently.

Could easily see it written by a Y2 child as well (6-7yo).

No one is 6 in reception