Should I be worrying about ds's reading.... Age 5 level 2/3 oxford

[DoddleDeer]

Ds is aged 5 and still on Oxford reading stage 2 and 3. He reads these well, and mostly fluently, but teachers still want to keep him on these books as he still sounds out longer words. He is bright in terms of problem solving, loves writing, creative, interested in the world, inquisitive and great at conversation/ debate. He loves reading and overall happy.
I'm not too worried about the reading, we read daily, he's progressing and will get there. Sil, who is a teacher, thinks this is a sign of a problem and I either need to push school to move him up or he's just 'slow'. He is only 5, 6 in May, so am ibu too not worry, or should I be?

My DS is 5, 6 in Feb and he is yellow band (1 above red) but lots of his class mates are still on red. I really wouldn't worry all kids get there in the end. He still sometimes sounds out the long words but more frequently does this in his head. I am focusing on his expression while reading and also his comprehension, because lacking in these areas is another reason why they may not be moved up a level.

The main thing is that he's enjoying school again after having such a hard time in yr, sounds like moving him was a great decision

Don't stress about levels, as long as he's making progress and enjoying reading and enjoying school

All kids don't get there in the end though, adult illiteracy is still common. There's evidence that how reading is taught early can have a big impact on that.

That kids in other countries start later is irrelevant, proficiency after over a year of teaching is the relevant comparison, yes age may have a small effect, but the effect is small on average.

It may not be a problem, but it may also be an early indication of something that you can then address.

How would he do on the phonics screening check today ? 80% will be passing that in about five months time, if he's on red, then he shouldn't be equipped? Books are supposed to be matched to phonic knowledge, red books don't contain enough to pass the check.

That you say the books are not phonetic - ie an old scheme from before the research so thoroughly showed that phonics is a lot more successful is also a bit worrying, outdated techniques with bad evidence.

It may be nothing, there are certainly lots of kids who go on to do great from there, but equally no reason to not question the indicators to see if there is something you can catch early.

I think schools now are advised not to rush children through the reading bands to encourage comprehension, being on a higher reading band means the child can read the words but may not comprehend the meaning or storyline/pictures. My ds is still on red which worried me at first but he's doing so well with his spellings which reassures me. I think reading and writing should both be equally encouraged as it aids memory of words and phonic sounds.

No, schools are given no advice about reading bands.

What they have to do is get all pupils to pass the phonics check at the end of Y1.

The phonics check does not contain multi syllable words. But does contain words like 'chop' and 'park' and 'sheep'

If your child passes the phonics check then technically he is on track. If he fails then he is behind.

Ds was yellow band at about this point in year 1 (summer born)

He then made huge progress and flew through the bands and became a free reader by the end of year 2 so it doesn't really mean much at this stage as long as they are making progress.