Reading ability at age 9

[charlieblue]

I've only recently joined mumsnet and thought the forums looked like a good source of advice/support, so here goes, first posting!

I'm starting to get really worried about DD's reading level. She's in year 5, although some classes taught with other years and she's recently told me that she's in the 'bottom' group, working with all the year 4s and only one other year 5. This is upsetting her as she doesn't think she's a weaker reader than many in the other groups, but I don't know whether this is the case or not.

What's really upset me is that this weekend she said she hates reading - it just feels like she's losing confidence and doesn't even want me to read to her, or for us to read together.

I'm trying to make an apppointment to discuss this with her teacher (who is new and seems quite strong on literacy etc) but to be honest I'm a bit annoyed that this hasn't been raised before. I've always had a few concerns that she's not a avid reader as I was when I was her age, but never realised there might be more of a problem here.

What sort of books should she be able to read at 9, do you know?

Thanks

Hi CharlieBlue and welcome to Mumsnet

I have a son in year 5 who's an avid reader (he'll read anything with a spine!). But he has friends who are, like you dd, much less keen.

My advice would be to ask your dd's teacher what concerns she has about your dd's reading - is she really behind or are others just way ahead of the norm? And get some ideas from the teacher about how you can help your dd improve her reading confidence.

Most important of all, though, try and find some books your dd can fall in love with. They don't have to be classics; they could be about ponies or fairies or even comics - but you need to keep her love of reading alive, whatever is happening at school.

I'm a huge fan of getting books from the library that DC could just about read independently. This seemed to bring on their reading better than anything else.

Trick is finding something they want to read, whether it's about horses or princesses or Harry Potter fan fiction or whatever.

I think that around this age theres a huge range in what kids can read but even more variability in what they want to read so comparisons with other kids isn't always helpful. What sort of things is your DD into - what has she read to date with any enjoyment?

Hi Charlieblue - welcome MN.

We had a presentation once at DS1's school about getting your children to be good readers and the teacher says get them to read anything that interests them. He had children of his own and they all had different triggers than encouraged them to read and it is just a question of finding it. So his examples included cookery books, comics, puzzle stories or any kind of fiction or non-fiction, it doesn't matter. They don't have to read anything in particular so long as they are reading. My DS even enjoys reading instruction booklets for computer games.

The other thing is that we were encouraged to listen to them read at least 5 times a week. That was recommended in the infants and is still recommended throughout the juniors. It makes all the difference as they don't have time to hear them read at school.

Talk to your DD teacher though and find out how much she is struggling and whether it is a big stretch for her to be moved in with the rest of the Yr 5's as that would boost her confidence a bit. It might be that she isn't far off the standard and it wouldn't be too much work get her moved up.

Good luck.

Try giving your child the following test to get a rough idea of reading age:

rrf.org.uk/burtinstructions.html

If her result comes out as anything below her real age then I would take matters into your own hands and try something like Toe by Toe or get her a good tutor. Unless she is waaaay behind, ie by several years then the school will not be particularly worried. There will likely be kids who are doing far worse and they have very limited resources.

Also, for some context, I would expect an averagely bright child who has been taught well and has no learning difficulties to be at least 18 months or 2 years ahead of chronological reading age.

I agree with mummyrex Test her reading and spelling yourself, but the Alphabet Code test is the most important one IMO!

www.aowm73.dsl.pipex.com/dyslexics/resources_and_further_2.htm

Then have a read of this:

www.aowm73.dsl.pipex.com/dyslexics/should_I_have.htm

Message deleted

I just had a look at the Alphabet code link and my 8 year old was fine and knew them all. She is a good reader. My just turning 7 year old son knew the single sounds but apart from that only knew sh, ch and th. He really struggles with his reading.