6.5 year old writing. Is this anything to be worried about?

[ProbablyJustGas]

Howdy,

My 6.5 year old DSD wrote me a note a couple days ago as a surprise. Really sweet of her to do, and was very touched by it. Just a bit curious about what DH and I should expect WRT kids' writing abilities, though, and was wondering if I could get some second opinions. This is what she wrote down on her own, with no adult guidance or previously written words to copy:

diiyoo hav a LuLvLia dia at inggLind diiyoo hav fun ?

I asked her if she could read it to me (since I was having trouble ), and she said confidently: "Did you have a lovely day at England? Did you have fun?"

Is that spelling style bang on track for 6.5 and the youngest in her grade (Primary 2)? Neither DH nor I remember our spelling being quite like that at 6.5, but that said, what DSD wrote above is still a lot better than what she was doing a few months ago. Last September, it was just gibberish - even she didn't know what she'd written. Copying pre-written words is not a problem for her; she reproduces those accurately.

Reading wise, she's made a lot of progress via the ORT scheme (Stage 1 to Stage 5 this school year). She self-corrects most of the time if she stumbles on a page. She's also found words that she knows within the pages of a chapter book that DH and I have been reading to her, even though she insists that she can't read small writing or non-ORT books. She has admitted to just guessing what things might say (usually when she's working with the Sky TV guide or the iPod menu), but she found India on a map by sounding out the letters.

Is the above anything to be concerned with? Or are my expectations just silly-high? I learned to read and write before I went to kindergarten with books like "A is for..." - I don't remember any of this!

Probably, sounds like my DS at the same age (a few months ago), the guessing, the spelling ! and the gradual recognition of single words. What have the school said?

I have to say that my DS has come on fantastically over the last six months and as far as your DD is concerned it sounds as if she is making progress too.

Obviously, it is very positive that your daughter is willing to take the initiative to write a note -- and such a thoughtful one!
I do think the spelling is sub-standard for 6.5, particularly as it isn't closely related to the sound of the words -- unless she just hasn't formed the letters well so "diiyoo" actually is "didyoo" (which still would be "wrong" but at least would be based on the correct sounds). I think you should be pleased with her initiative and willingness to write but also should keep a close eye on her writing to see how it develops over the next 6 months or so.

Awwwww that's a cute little note, I had no problem understanding it.
DS is in P2 although one of the oldest as is over 7, that is quite like how he would write at prob the start of P2.
He did used to write entire sentences like that but with no spaces was totally unreadable

Don't think its a problem, writing will come, looks like she is getting there as it can be read easily.

Scottish accent may also pronounce did you as di you do not technically incorrect pronunciation wise.

Thank you for your comments, they're all very helpful. DH and I have been worried on and off about DSD's progress in school since P1 - partly due to general divorce and upheaval guilties - but she has been making good progress this year. Her teacher seems to be really tuned in to exactly what needs to be worked on. And yes, I was very pleasantly surprised that she wrote me a note - wasn't expecting that! :)

Will keep an eye on how the next six months go. DH and I are talking about firing a few exercises or games her way over the summer break to see if she'll take to them (otherwise it'll just be more reading to her and some Between the Lions as and when we can, found a winner there!).