What age did your child start to read automatically?

[Pigwig22]

What age do children normally start reading “automatically”?

My eldest is dyslexic and one of the things that prompted me to do her an assessment was being out and about with friends kids 1-2 years younger than her that were automatically reading i.e. they would see some text and read it without thinking, like an adult. I’m not saying there might not still be some words they would struggle with, but it wasn’t an effort - they just read. That came much later for my daughter.

My son is in year 1 so I’m obviously conscious there is a good chance he will be dyslexic too, but I had thought he was doing well with reading - although he is still in the bottom 6 out of 30 in his class for reading book level (I know as I read with the class). They have had him on green books level 5 at school for awhile but he is comfortably reading level 6 at home.

However, I’ve not noticed reading becoming automatic yet. It was his birthday yesterday, so he’s just 6, and he wanted to read his cards but he really struggled over it. Positive is that he didn’t avoid reading, like his sister would have done and I appreciate some of the text would be different like bubble writing or handwriting, but the words shouldn’t have been tricky for him. I’ve also noticed there is a fair amount of guessing in his phonics books.

So wondering if this is a bit behind and it should be starting to be more automatic?

I have three children and am a primary school teacher so we have prioritised reading at home
child 1 not until end of year three/start of year 4
child two by end of year two
child three end of year one

one and two both were greater depth readers by year six sats, youngest hasn’t sat them yet.

Some children take longer than others, keep persisting and keep it as fun as possible so they gain a love of reading, my eldest would not have become an avid reader if we had pressured her too much when younger.

Twins here. Probably around 7 for both of them. One of them is having a dyslexia assessment next month. She still read automatically at 7 though.

I suspect what you're concerned about is working memory.

Working memory allows the 'word bank' in the brain to supply the correct word when reading without sounding out. The word is supplied based on clues from the environment, from phonics, from vocabulary that has been heard in all settings and stored away. This is how a six year old might end up correctly reading words like adjudicate or consequently, with the emphasis falling on the right syllable.

I know exactly what you mean OP. I’ve only properly become aware of it because my DC2 who is 5 (autumn born reception) has started reading everything out and about including signs whereas DC1 (8) does not do this.

It’s a conundrum because DC1 is very bright and top of his year across the board, always got greater depth in English, top reading groups etc, aces his spelling tests and has good handwriting, is a great musician and can read music v well too BUT is reluctant to read, doesn’t read for pleasure and seems almost to almost wilfully not read things if he can get someone to read them for him.

I am a huge reader - studied English lit at uni - and would eg read ingredients labels on the cereal box as a kid out of boredom so can’t relate at all. DC1 loves audiobooks and being read to and we have a house full of books so it’s not lack of opportunity or interest.

I feel there is something amiss having seen the comparison with DC2 now, but when I mentioned it to his teacher she looked at me like I was mad and said he was fine, but I’m thinking of getting him assessed.

There is no dyslexia in the family though and he can in fact read v well, so maybe I am mad?!

I agree as someone who can’t not read that it is strange when people can read but don’t do it automatically!

However, I’m no expert, but your DC1 doesn’t sound dyslexic to me.

While avoiding reading out and about was a clue with my DC1, there were plenty of others that were very clear by 8 - particularly with spelling. It was also very clearly an effort to read. I am not dyslexic, but I am fairly sure my husband is undiagnosed so I think it’s in the family.

I’m not saying there isn’t maybe something going on with your eldest though - I know what it’s like to have your suspicions dismissed and am a strong believer in mother’s instinct! Not sure what else it could be, if it’s signs he avoids could it be long sight vision??

Or maybe the earlier person’s point about curiosity is a factor?

MN is worst place to ask this, every kid swas reading novels in Reception...

When realistically, most children are "free reading" somewhere between end of yr1 and yr2.

@Pigwig22 I think mine didn’t do this till 8 or that’s when I noticed it. As pp said they have to be interested in what they are looking at, so they might start reading the paper I left out or posters in a restaurant.

Might be that he just doesn't like reading, some people are like that. Or a problem with vision maybe?

Thanks @Pigwig22 and @Natsku yes he doesn’t fit the obvious profile, but I feel like there is something going on. Will keep an eye on it.

Anyway @Pigwig22 I think perhaps your DS is still too young to be able to tell either way, but it’s great that you will be equipped to help him (however daunting it might seem). Fwiw my friend is dyslexic and so is her eldest, but DC2 and 3 are not, so it’s not a given even if one parent/child is.

Yeah my dad is dyslexic and both me and my brother were assessed and neither are (I didn't understand why I got assessed, my reading and spelling were pretty much perfect, only one in my year to get 100% on the spag test but my handwriting was appalling and apparently that was the reason)

He’s 6!!! How much self reading is normal at 6. What’s wrong with you reading more advanced books to him? He’s building up vocab! Ask him to read some of it! Words he does know. I really cannot see the issue!

My question is about when do children start to read small things almost automatically because they instantly recognise some words when they are out and about so things like menus and signs (not self reading chapter books), which based on the responses here seems to be most children by the end of year 1.

I agree reading to him is great too, that’s why we do it :)

Out of interest, why are you getting a dyslexia assessment if she’s reading at that level from 7?

Dyslexia is more complex than being able to read automatically at X age – reading speed, spelling, writing speed, comprehension processing, memory, etc

Yes, absolutely - spelling is definitely my DD’s biggest challenge. Good luck with the assessment

Same with mine! Her reading is also accurate but laboured.

I really don’t think all dc read things when you are out and about @Pigwig22 Some will and some won’t. Some just read what they are asked to read and are not very curious. Do they need to read anything? Probably not.

5 or 6?

At 6 I honestly wouldn’t panic yet. Some kids suddenly click with reading almost overnight and others brute force it slowly for years lol. The guessing words thing though, yeah keep an eye on that because teachers sometimes call it confidence when it’s actually compensation.

Spelling is my dyslexic dad's biggest problem, and is probably why I became so good at spelling as he'd be writing his sermons and constantly shouting how do you spell ..... and answering him helped me figure out the patterns and rules much quicker and easier than I was learning in school. I've just thought that's maybe something I can try with my youngest who is a poor speller, just ask him to spell things verbally from time to time and see if it gives a boost.