How do I know whether my 5yr old is falling behind?

[Ash1976]

Hello

My 5yr old girl is in yr1 at primary school. She is currently behind on her reading by still reading books identified for reception year plus others in her class are seemingly far more advanced. In addition she seems to lack the ability to stay focused when learning at home by constantly fidgeting or saying she cannot read or write words when I know she can. The school has not directly mentioned anything but the wife is really worried.

Does anyone have a recommendation on how I can assess her learning capabilities to have a view on whether I should be concerned or not?

Thanks Ash

Just wanted to reply that my DD was a late reader, but it didn't hold her back.

Why not arrange a meeting with the teacher.

It is still very early in Yr1 so I would give it perhaps until half term and speak to the teacher then and find out what he/she thinks.

some children really do get reading early and some don't. It doesn't mean there is a problem (equally it doesn't mean that there isn't a problem as it can't be ruled out yet but it isn't an indicator at this stage)

How does she manage with numbers or writing? is she interested in learning things?

To help her at home read lots of books to her, tracking the words with your finger and perhaps with some easier books sounding out some of the words with her, it might get her interest a bit more than reading scheme books.

what sort of books do they send home? are they teaching her phonics but then sending home non phonic based books? that can confuse children greatly. look at which words she can do and which she can't, that could indicate if this is the case.

My daughter finds it easier to read in the morning when she isn't tired. She has irlen syndrome and wears coloured glasses so we have been through the whole 'reading problems' thing.

If you know she CAN do things but won't then that is different to her not being able to. however I know my daughter stumbles on things she knows if she hasn't got her glasses on and we discovered her problems purely by chance so did have months of her doing some very strange things when reading and she would be unable to read words she could read perfectly well.

sorry - I am not helping

Do get her an eye test, and yes talk to teacher too

Thanks for your posts to date. Will talk to the teacher, though I am not sure whether her lack of sitting still or pretending not to know the answer when she does is impacting her ability to learn. I suppose also our style of teaching her may need to change.

Thanks ash

Also she has has a eye test and all is ok on that front!

I go in and listen to children read in a year 1 class. Huge range of book levels. I would have a chat with teacher if you are concerned

There is a huge difference between reception and year 1. This move can be quite traumatic for some children as they go from a pretty much learn through play scheme onto the national curriculum and nore focused work.
I think give her the half term to settle in. You should have a parents evening sometime in November where you will get an idea from the teacher what's going on.

What was her achievement at the end of reception?

does she rock around when reading? I mean does she lean up close to the page, then back, then look around the room, rub her eyes a lot, that kind of thing? it can indicate a problem with the contrasts of black on white. That is what my daughter has.

Is she a Summer baby? My dd is, only 5 in July, and she is noticeably worse at writing, and maths thus far, although about right for reading. There really is a very big difference between a September baby and a Summer one at this stage. My ds is a Winter baby and he was WAY ahead of her at this point.

However, as a teacher, I am trying ( really hard!) not to compare. I am leaving it, and her teacher isn't worried. Yet!