5 year old in year one really struggling at school

[Hobnob90]

I have been to my sons parents evening tonight. His teacher said he’s really behind in phonics and reading. They did a test with him where he should score 35 but he only scored 10. He’s easily distracted and doesn’t retain the information they try to tell him and just wants to play. In maths he’s doing ok. We do try at home to do reading and writing but he won’t/doesn’t want to engage in doing it for long. I’m not really sure what to do. His teacher said it might be a maturity thing which I do agree with as he always been a bit behind his peers even at nursery. He’s a lovely boy and bright in other ways. Just want some advice really? Or experiences of other young children who have caught up?

My daughter was similar. Catching up well in Y2. They are so small still, definitely no need to worry.

I guess my only advice is little and often- don’t need to set aside a huge amount of time and pressure to do some phonics but a little bit daily. Did they give you cards with letters on? You could do maybe 3 at the breakfast table- point to signs in the day etc.

I have taught Reception for 4 years and really wouldn't worry too much at this stage. Just support as best you can at home, listen to him read every week day and see how he goes. If the gap starts to widen and he doesn't seem to be improving then speak to his teacher again in a few months time, but I really wouldn't worry - this is quite common!

If you need any help with phonics at home check out
https://www.youtube.com/@MissPhonics (Group 1 sounds and blending videos most likely)

and
www.phonicsplay.co.uk/ (there are lots of free games without needing to pay or sign up!)

Happy to answer any questions as a teacher!

Little and often is what I would recommend too. And make it part of a routine. If my reluctant learner son knows what to expect and when then it works better for us and avoids most of the resistance.

He's 5. Don't sweat it. He's got 10 years to catch up 🙂

If you've got a tablet I'd recommend the reading eggs app. It's got lots of phonics games and puzzles and a reward system that hits all those dopamine gaming bits of the brain.

Our school recommends games where you hide pieces of paper with letters on them around the room/ house/ garden and they have to run around to find them to spell the word.

Alpha locks the tv show on iPlayer is really good too. We'd say if you can be ready for school in good time you can have an episode of alpha blocks as a treat before you go.

Just try and keep things fun I think.

There's also books with a machine that reads to you - there's marvel ones, Star Wars etc. try and keep books around that follow their interests. Comics can be really good too to ease them in.

Simple fact books and kids recipe books are another route in. Not all kids get hooked in by stories and they can feel like a marathon if you're struggling.

Also just keep up reading to them, we had loads of pokemon books and ones based on computer game characters. Just follow their passions and interests.

Good luck.

*Alpha blocks

Also just have it on in the background sometimes.

Read to him but also get him to read anything at all. So you could say oh i cannot read this recipe, can you see how many eggs i need. They can fall out of love quickly with school reading books so try comics or a book on something that might interest him. He has ages to catch up.

Thank you, lots of good suggestions I’ll try at home. I called his teacher today as well and she’s set me a few things to do at home with him.

Jumping on to ask if there are any similar gamified apps for writing skills? My DC could use that.

Is he getting any interventions at school?

I pick up all the literacy interventions currently in year 2,3 and 4. I have several who are non readers and quite a few who are still not confident in their initial sounds. These would all be older than your son. I am amazed how so many have come this far and have been left to struggle. In fact, I found it really upsetting that children of 7/8 years old cannot read a simple two letter word.
If they are not confident in their phonics, it will be very difficult to get them reading so maybe scale back and see how he is with this first.

I started this role a few months ago and I love it. The progress these kids have made spending just 10 - 20 minutes a day reading with me has been amazing. Many have Speech and Language as well with no outside intervention which is very frustrating for them.

I'd ask how many times a week your son is reading at school and who is listening to him read. We'd do readers in year 1 about twice a week or more if struggling.

Also, don't get straight into reading the text. Talk about the pictures and look for clues as to what might happen. Ask questions about what he thinks the book is about. Let him sound out as much as possible without telling him what the word is.

Re: writing skills app, maybe try night zookeeper?

All good suggestions above.

five minute mum on Instagram has some great games (I like her book time for school too but lots of the games are on her Instagram and website too). They are all minimal set up but aimed at helping kids with reading, numbers etc.

also there was a recent study which proved it is helpful for kids learning to read , if they watch tv, to just have the subtitles turned on all the time. Such a small thing, worth a try!