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Original poster

6 year old can’t read.

41 replies

KnoxValentine · 09/10/2018 20:34

Just that really, year 2 knows all the phonics sounds through repetition but can’t blend a single word, not one!!! Have any of you experienced this?

OP posts:
AlwaysOnMyWatch · 09/10/2018 20:43

Yes, but my DD didnt start school til 6 so she's not expected to be able to read yet. In my experience it helps them to learn a few words first. Once my eldest had learnt a few like mum, dad, cat (I did a few weeks of flash cards) he then understood how to blend. It was like a switch just clicked.

Original poster
KnoxValentine · 09/10/2018 21:29

Thanks for your reply. A bit different as dc has been doing phonics since reception so 2 years and nothing seems to work

OP posts:
GeorgieTheGorgeousGoat · 09/10/2018 21:30

What have school said?

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rainingcatsanddog · 09/10/2018 21:32

Have you been to the opticians for an eye test?

Original poster
KnoxValentine · 09/10/2018 21:42

No problem with eyesight, school concerned but not really sure what to suggest apart from practice but surely dc would be able to do some blending (even if basic) after 2 years of phonics

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 09/10/2018 21:43

How’s his hearing?

Original poster
KnoxValentine · 09/10/2018 21:50

I’d say hearing fine too

OP posts:
Middlrm · 09/10/2018 21:51

How does he do with recognising his letters? I couldn’t read until 7 I believe ... turned it I was dyslexic it was an issue of everything being back to front upside down and sideways ... once I got it I flew with it but it took a little longer and a different approach ? I may be completely wrong but just my personal experience

Slippersandacuppa · 09/10/2018 21:52

It shouldn’t be a problem, in the same way my sons’ awful handwriting (yes, all of them) shouldn’t, because it’s developmentally ridiculous to be expecting what they do at such a young age. Just because most of them are capable of most of it, doesn’t make it right.

I realise this doesn’t help you at all though, except to maybe realise that other countries start later for a reason? Some of them just aren’t ready. It must make the classroom quite a stressful place. Yes to checking hearing. Does he enjoy books?

Mistoffelees · 09/10/2018 21:53

If you sound something out for him can he tell you the word?

drspouse · 09/10/2018 21:55

I was going to say the same - if you SAY m-u-m does he get it?

Pitapotamus · 09/10/2018 21:55

I think not being able to blend might be one of the signs of dyslexia. Have you looked into that as a possibility? If he has dyslexia there may be alternative teaching methods suggested that might be more effective than the standard phonics and blending method that works for most.

Jellycatspyjamas · 09/10/2018 21:57

My 7 year old is just about getting the hang of word blending now - she’s slowly but surely getting there. Some kids take longer to get it and I also don’t think phonics suits everyone.

catkind · 09/10/2018 21:57

Not me but a friend's DC. How are school supporting them? They should be getting lots of help and maybe at some point EdPsych assessment. (Friend's child now has a diagnosis but got there in the end and does read for fun at 10.)

In relation to getting them decoding, can you pin down where the block is? So they can see a word and say all the sounds? What about blending sounds aurally, can they hear a blend if you say the sounds? And can they spot sounds in words e.g. find things beginning with ssss?

Assuing they can look at a written word and say the sounds separately, I would then get them to say them as long and as close together as possible. mmmmmm.aaaaaaa.nnnnnn.
Then quicker and quicker until they "hear" the word. mmmmaaannn. mmaann. man.

You could model the saying for them and see if they can hear it, then once that works get them to try saying it for themselves. Words with soft consonants are easiest to start with because you can say them long sssss mmmmm lllllllll. They have to hear the word in the end with you saying the sounds, as you
say it quicker and quicker till you are actually just saying the word itself. So I'd find a point that does work then gradually build up.
(Based on what worked with the most struggling of the Y1 I volunteer with. Don't worry they have professional help too, I think teacher just sends them to me so they don't feel left out.)

Original poster
KnoxValentine · 09/10/2018 21:58

Recognises phonics sounds, he will say what letters he can see but i’ll give an example if it says cat he’ll say “c...a....t, boat” or another random word. Loves books but frustrated when he has to read as he can’t!

OP posts:
catkind · 09/10/2018 22:01

It can also help to slightly emphasise the first sound when you say it, particularly when you get to harder sounds so C-aaaa-t. That was a tip from one of the teachers here I think :)

parrotonmyshoulder · 09/10/2018 22:02

Press school for more support, but in the meantime look for ‘Apples and Pears’ (Sound Foundations website) as a really helpful way of teaching blending.

AllTheChocolateMice · 09/10/2018 22:09

One of mine was the same, he started reading in year two once we moved him to a new school and they gave him more support. I’d be asking for a meeting

catkind · 09/10/2018 22:10

Is the ending with the right sound typical or was that a random example? Only that is something I've seen in a few kids. Would definitely get them to try the repeat faster thing (or maybe you do it for them so you start with a success).

Original poster
KnoxValentine · 09/10/2018 22:13

Ah that was just random it could easily be something like sock too

OP posts:
Momasita · 09/10/2018 22:13

Some dc don't get on with phonics and I believe there are two different phonics schemes? One works better than others for some dc.
Don't panic but do keep an eye on it. I would be asking school for extra support and investigating it.

Momasita · 09/10/2018 22:14

Also flash cards got my dd going...

Oly5 · 09/10/2018 22:14

I’d be worried if my son couldn’t read by year 2. I’d definitely push the school for
More support/assessment

PhilomenaButterfly · 09/10/2018 22:18

DS2 is 7, yr3, and is just getting it. Last year, his teacher printed out words in a large font, every day he had to read a word, spell it, cut it out, spell it again and I'd stick it on his wall. His reading's come on in leaps and bounds.

permanentlyfrazzled1 · 09/10/2018 22:21

Sounds very similar to my eldest, who was later diagnosed with dyslexia. He wasn't able to read independently until he was about 10, but he's always been home-educated so his lack of reading didn't matter. Phonics just didn't work for him at all, but I finally got him reading by using 'Toe by Toe' - the best £25 I've ever spent (available from Amazon). The first proper book he read, around age 11.5, was 'The Hobbit', and he's since read the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy, so try not to worry: things will eventually click with your son, but he may need something other than phonics to help him get there.