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Original poster

How old is this child - a handwriting spelling one

110 replies

13456few · 03/09/2025 15:34

DC has just gone back to school and I asked her to practice her writing while I dictate it to her. How old do you think this child is and whst school year do you think she has just started? My concern is she is behind.

How old is this child - a handwriting spelling one
OP posts:
Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 03/09/2025 16:36

Year 3! So she’s 7. She’s fine op.

OneWildNightWithJBJ · 03/09/2025 16:35

I was going to say Y2/3.

I've taught Year 1s to Year 6s with similar handwriting, but I'd say it's pretty average for Y3. Don't worry!

C152 · 03/09/2025 16:34

There's always going to be someone better and someone worse than your DD at everything, but I think that's very good for year 3 ( I would have guessed year 5).

Lindtnotlint · 03/09/2025 16:30

Errr if this is start Y3 then I really don’t think you have anything to worry about!!! At all.

FuzzyWolf · 03/09/2025 16:30

Handwriting is better than mine so guessing for an age won’t help!

My youngest child has the clearest writing and spelling of my children and one of my middle children could be mistaken for a preschooler if you looked at her English books (she uses a computer because writing is such an issue for her).

I hope that whatever the age of your child, you are able to give them any support they need or praise if their writing is better than many others or a same age. Usually they all catch up and balance out in the end.

Original poster
13456few · 03/09/2025 16:29

Sorry forgot to add she has just gone in y3

OP posts:
Lindtnotlint · 03/09/2025 16:29

Going into year 4.

Gherkintastic · 03/09/2025 16:26

My daughter is 14 and autistic, this is very similar to her handwriting.

Cantdoitalll · 03/09/2025 16:25

8 years old

CaroleLandis · 03/09/2025 16:21

Age 7/8.

StillweriseLH · 03/09/2025 16:13

About 9/10.

gmgnts · 03/09/2025 16:11

You need to tell us how old she is, OP!

Original poster
13456few · 03/09/2025 16:10

Yes, the story is dictated from the blurb for a book. She is likely ND and really struggles with anything fiddly like handwriting, buttons etc so whilst I am also concerned about her writing per se, here I was mainly focusing on checking her spelling and actual handwriting. She hates everything about writing.

OP posts:
Dontletthebedbugsbite2 · 03/09/2025 16:06

Incognitoburrito88 · 03/09/2025 15:49

I don’t understand the English schooling system so can’t guess a year but I’d say age 9 or 10. I was pretty rubbish at spelling and didn’t have great handwriting as a kid - I’m a doctor now so I’m not sure I’d stress that much about it.

Doctor writing is notoriously difficult to read & I always wonder why its so unanimous across the profession! I have beautiful handwriting & people always comment on it... and I'm a HCA! So my beautiful writing really hasn't got me very far.

IfHeWantedToHeWould · 03/09/2025 16:06

Year 4 maybe? To be honest I couldn’t make sense of the story, it’s hard to read.

Zoono · 03/09/2025 16:03

pinkyredrose · 03/09/2025 15:36

6? Maybe she's dyslexic?

You are kidding me haha. I've never met any 6 year old who can write that neatly.

Zoono · 03/09/2025 16:02

9 or 10? It's easier to read than my own. Mines neat but tiny. I wouldn't be worried, if your child is still in primary school

Bitzee · 03/09/2025 16:02

I reckon it’s a just started Y4 who could likely do with a bit of hand writing practice.

HazelBeeZee · 03/09/2025 15:59

Some of the most intelligent and high earning people I’ve ever known have far worse handwriting. Solicitors and doctors are well known for it.

My youngest sons is on a similar level and he’s just going into year 7. We’ve practiced and tried to get his writing to be better but it isn’t working. He’s been given a laptop for anything writing related.

BusWankers · 03/09/2025 15:57

pinkyredrose · 03/09/2025 15:36

6? Maybe she's dyslexic?

6?! You're having a laugh.

Sunshineismyfavourite · 03/09/2025 15:56

Difficult to tell as you said you dictated this to her so it's your story and just her handwriting? Her handwriting isn't terrible, I've seen worse in Y5/6 but what is important isn't her handwriting but her grammar, punctuation and ability to write a story that is her own. I'd have to see more really.

youalright · 03/09/2025 15:56

I wouldn't be concerned if she was still primary school age any year. The range is massive in kids

OneWilde · 03/09/2025 15:53

Just started year 3?
But could be year 2-4, depending on child.

BauhausOfEliott · 03/09/2025 15:53

If you're concerned she's behind, discuss it with her teacher, who will have a much better idea of how she's doing than people on Mumsnet who don't have a broad range to compare her to.

Also worth noting that neat handwriting has nothing to do with intelligence. Handwriting is just motor skills; it's not an academic ability.

FleetFootedJanet · 03/09/2025 15:51

To be fair, I work with plenty of educated, professional people whose handwriting isn’t significantly better.

You really need to discuss this with the child’s teacher.