Cannot read numbers/alphabets at 3

[wineandmusic]

We are bilingual family and I am worrying about my youngest daughter. She is 3.5 years old and still cannot read numbers and alphabets. She can count numbers up to 10 but sometimes makes mistake.

My husband has mild dyslexia, but my older two children could read and write numbers and some alphabets at 3 years old, so I didn't worry at all.

Except for reading, she is absolutely fine. She always looks at people's eyes when she talks and her motor skill is also good.

Is it problem if 3 years old cannot read numbers/letters? When should we really start worrying?

Also, it would be really great if you recommend any books or iPad apps to learn numbers and letters.

Thank you.

My son refused to read until he was in year 2. He was then free reading by the time he was 9. Seriously, don't worry about it. The guidance the school gave me was leave him to it, and make books fun, ie me reading to him.

It's not an expectation at that age, as in some can, plenty can't yet. I would keep focus on understanding of numbers e.g. counting things and reading stories to her. Numberblocks and Alphablocks on Iplayer are good and I think there is related learning activities on the Internet.

My dd has recently turned 4 and can't recognise any letters yet. I think she recognised some numbers when written down, but not all of them. I'm not worried. They learn it at school.

It really isn't an expectation for any 3 yr olds.
There is no correlation between recognising letters early and "dong well at school"

I would think a 3.5 yr old that could read numbers and the alphabet was very advanced for their age. Many don't even start learning reading until.they start school aged between 4 and 5.

I think mine could probably recognise their name at that age but that's about it.

And they definitely couldn't write numbers or letters.

Thank you very much for all your comments.

@BirdyCheepCheep
Thank you to share your experience. I hope my daughter can be like your son. Somehow I understood I am worrying a bit too much at this stage. But I am a bit sensitive because my husband has dyslexia and I know the difficulties.

@BirdyCheepCheep
Thank you to share your experience. I hope my daughter can be like your son. Somehow I understood I am worrying a bit too much at this stage. But I am a bit sensitive because my husband has dyslexia and I know the difficulties.

Family of low/ mild dyslexics here. Both my children have mild dyslexia - enough to make it tricky and harder but not impossible. Both took a while to read and write, and from memory so did I - but am too old to have been tested or even considered when I was at school.

don’t rush it and at 3 ( and for a long time still ) keep things fun. The joy of Learning and exploring ideas is much more important than numbers and letters. Both kids read when they were about 8. Both at university now and one just got a 2:1 for Law.

We don’t play scramble or do anagrams - because the letters don’t make words or patterns for us. My mum struggled to understand this. But my dad I’m pretty sure is dyslexic too - in his 80’s still learning new things and new passions.

Children who are speaking/learning more than one language will appear slower than their peers initially, but catch up later on. There's lots of research around this.

Thank you for your advise. I will have a look alphabet and number blocks on iPlayer.
I didn't know iPlayer, but it looks fabulous!

@BendingSpoons sorry, I didn't mention your name on above message. I also, counted toys with my daughter today and she looked enjoying.

ah yes I was very worried too as my DH does have dyslexia so assumed my boy had it too. Took him to be tested when he was aged 8/9ish and the lady we saw ruled it out and said he was bright and bored. He had been playing up in school. He does what he wants to do, what interests him, and nothing else. He has wandered through his education, not paying much attention to most of it but have a great time. He got 7 gcses so that was great. Not sure what he is going to do next (he has just quit college as he got bored) but I have to let him get on with it and find his own way. Sitting back and letting him get on with it is very difficult. It was hard when he refused to read and write and it is hard now when he is taking these big decisions about his future. But now as then, he will only do what interests him. As I am someone who has been doing a boring job for over 30 years, perhaps he is right in his approach and it is me and my endeavour and over achievements (and boring job) who has the wrong approach.

@seven201 Thank you for your comment. It's helpful to know other child's progress. I am trying not to worry too much..,

Stop worrying. If you stress over this it will have the opposite effect to the one that you want.
Read to her.

@BackforGood
My older children are nearly secondary age, so I forgot what is the standard expectation for three years old.

@xyzandabc
I just know my older children and it's long time ago (not very long but I feel so), so it's helpful to know other's progress.

We moved from Germany and the education system is so different here. Because primary school starts at age of 4, I thought children must learn writing before 4.

@Hockneypool You and your children may be similar with my husband. He can read and write but it takes time and he is exhausted to do so.

I know it's better not to worry too much. Maybe I am a bit nervous now because of covid crisis and being packed at home with three children.

I will try to make fun to Lear together with her.

I am pleased to know your son got good grade in such a difficult field!

[quote wineandmusic]@BirdyCheepCheep
Thank you to share your experience. I hope my daughter can be like your son. Somehow I understood I am worrying a bit too much at this stage. But I am a bit sensitive because my husband has dyslexia and I know the difficulties.[/quote]
I teach 4-5 year olds and the expectation is that most come to us with little letter or number recognition. It's my job to teach them. Also if teaching letters please teach phonics rather than letter name otherwise we have to undo it when teaching reading

At age 3.5 I’d expect some children to recognise written numbers, maybe not getting them all correct but can identify that they are a number. They may recognise their name written. And most by that age I would expect to be able to count to 10 possibly more.

As for recognising the alphabet I wouldn’t expect that until around 4.5 years onwards.

I’m a qualified early years practitioner and children’s abilities at 3.5 years vary a huge amount.

Just continue to make learning fun and exciting.