Are you a worried parent or carer of a dyslexic child? Are you concerned that the child might be falling behind in class? Are you confused about what a child aged 5-6 should be able to do?

Below is an "English" checklist for children aged 5-6. Based on the national curriculum.

Who the checklist is for:

On this page is my guide to the expected standard of English levels for children aged 5-6 in the UK.

And importantly how you can help them if they are struggling.

The checklist is for children aged 5-6 who are:

• In primary school year 1.
• Working at key stage 1 (KS1).
• Key stage levels are set by the national curriculum.

How The Checklist Works:

In year 1 the child should be learning the English work on the "The Key Stage 1 Checklist". Look through the checklist. Ask yourself, "is the child able to do the task?".

Try to spot the gaps in their learning. In each of the 7 sections there are links to“Mooki” cards and blog posts. Which are there to help you help your child.

When going through the list remember:

• Children have a whole school year to learn the skills listed.
• Teachers may teach English by doing a History or an Art project.
• A child may be in year 1, yet could be catching up on “Reception" level work.
• The checklist is a guide and it is not designed to replace formal education.

The Key Stage 1 Checklist:

1. Handwriting

Does The Child....

• Write lowercase letters?
• Write capital letters?
• Write numbers 0-9?
• Write hand-writing families?

Dyslexic Mum Tips - Practise handwriting, use activities below:

• Practice Writing Card
• Multi-sensory Learning Card
• BBC Forming Letters

2. Reading Comprehension

Does The Child....

• Listen to stories and talk about storyline?
• Link stories to their own experiences?
• Guess what might happen next in a story?
• Know common fairytales?
• Read rhyming books, join-in guessing the next word?
• Remember and say nursery rhymes? 
• Talk about what words mean?

Dyslexic Mum Tips - Use "Reading Champions" card, encourage reading.

3. Reading Words

Does The Child....

• Read Words as Sounds?
• Blend Sounds?
• Read Tricky words?
• Read words with syllables?
• Read words with ending sounds?
• Read Books Out-loud?
• Read words? I’m, I’ll, we’ll ‍
• Read words? Helping, helped, quickest

Dyslexic Mum Tip - Practise reading, use activities below:

• Word Sounds List
• Blending Sounds Card
• Tricky Words Card‍
• Clapping Syllables Card‍
• Start, End Sounds Card

4. Writing Composition

Does The Child.....

• Plan writing by saying it out-loud?
• Speak ideas in full sentences, before writing down?
• Write a short story, or answer to a question?
• Read their own writing and say if it makes sense?
• Read aloud own writing in front of people?
• Talk about what they have written?

Dyslexic Mum Tip  - Practise, ask the child to write a short story.

• Plan story using "Though Tree Card"

5. Writing Transcription

Does The Child.....

• Spell words spoken out-loud, by sounding them out? 
• Spell common tricky words?
• Spell days off the week?
• Hear and write sentences spoken by teacher.
• Name letters of alphabet in correct order?
• Name words with similar sounds
• Use "s and es"? birds, boxes‍
• Use "un"? unbox, unpick

Dyslexic Mum Tip - Practise reading, use activities below:

• Tricky Words Card
• Word Families Card‍
• "Es" Quiz BBC‍
• "Un" Quiz BBC
• Hear Instructions

6. Vocabulary, Grammar, Punctuation

Does The Child....

• Leave spaces between words?
• Write sentences, using joining words? and, or
• Use full stops, commas, question marks?
• Use capital letters? People, places, weekdays, capital "I"

Dyslexic Mum Tip - Practise, ask child to write a Birthday card.

• Practice Writing Card
• BBC Using "and"
• BBC Punctuation Guide

7. Spellings

The spelling lists on the "Mooki Cards" below. Include words from the national curriculum, key stage 1 spelling list. All children in year 1 are required to be taught these spellings.

• Rocky Foundations
• Word Sounds Card
• Tricky Words Card

Key Stage 1 Test

Key stage 1 is taught in two parts. During year 1 and year 2. Try doing a government "National Curriculum" test paper. To see if your child is able to complete key stage 1 questions.

Note this test would normally be done at the end of key stage 1. When a child is in year 2.

Once your child is able to do most things on the checklist above. Next try the checklist for children, "Aged 6-7, Year 2 National Curriculum".

Teach at Home

For top tips on how to teach a child at home. See "How To Teach Dyslexic Child At Home, Step By Step Guide".

All the cards are available as part of a "Mooki Cards". Complete with 56 cards and storage wallet. Perfect for using at home or in the classroom. Order your "Mooki Cards" here!‍