To be worried about DS?

[Blondie1993]

DS is 6 and went in to primary 3 about a month ago. He did well in primary 1 and 2 - made lots of friends, loved school and seemed to be quite bright/able or whatever you would call it. He had the same teacher both years who was very happy with him - her only complaint was he could be quite easily distracted which resulted in him taking too long to complete his work. He usually blasted through his homework quite easily and seemed to enjoy it.

Since going back after the holidays something seems to have changed. It’s like he has take a step backwards. He is consistently writing letters/numbers/words backwards. For example writing 71 instead of 17, q instead of p, uoy instead of you ect. He can’t really remember most of his spelling words or how to spell them - he always got full marks in his spelling tests until now. He hasn’t had full marks since starting primary 3. His handwriting is appalling if I don’t hover and encourage him to take his time and try his best. He seems to be struggling to take a second to read instructions, he will blast through maths homework and not realise some of the sums have changed from add to minus.

His reading and maths seem to be good, it’s more when he has to write things down. I am sitting doing his homework with him every night and trying really hard to be positive and encouraging. It was 45 minutes tonight which I feel is quite a long time! I also have some LeckieLeckie work books that we do a few pages of once or twice a week. We read every night - currently The BFG but he will just read sections, I read the majority. I have downloaded some educational apps and have offered a special treat if he gets full marks in his spelling test.

His parents evening is in October so I will speak with his teacher then about my concerns to give him more time to settle but is there anything else I can do to try and help him? Or is there anything I am doing wrong or shouldn’t be doing? Sorry for long post, I don’t really have any mum friends or family to talk to!

Sorry for typos too, on my phone and multitasking

could it possibly be Dyslexia? it is identifiable from age 5 years.

maybe you could have a peak at this website? there is a quiz at the bottom for you to do, a dyslexia screening (the child plays games to help identify it) and then the results. all the best x

www.nessy.com/uk/screening-for-dyslexia/

Has there been more of a push on speed in class

Summer learning loss is also a real possibility. I wouldn't make anything of it now as might damage his confidence, but if still going on by parents evening then think again?

Thanks for the replies, i’ll take a look at that link with him. I did wonder about dyslexia because he is writing things backwards but don’t want to seem paranoid! We did have a general evening at school when term started to look at the curriculum this year - the teachers did say that primary 3 is a step up and work will become more difficult. I just worry that with 33 kids in the class they might not notice if he starts to fall behind or they might not have the time to help him if he has.

I’ll keep an eye on him and try to keep everything positive and fun for now. Thanks again.

Is he left handed OP? Just asking because my dd is and she did mirror-writing a lot at the beginning.
It seemed to get worse for a while when she was writing independently rather than copying letters etc. exactly.