Signs Of Dyslexia In 5 To 10 Year Olds

Walking home from school after a long day, I would ask my mum for a big bowl of "Spellenamy" for dinner. My confused mum would ask me again what I wanted. It would take a while before she understood that I wanted "Spaghetti".

My little girl is the same, she struggles with the names of things and comes up with some very imaginative names. "Mulk" for milk, "Blanbit" for blanket, "Racsan" for rucksack.

Many children when they are learning to speak will get words mixed-up, however it can be a sign of dyslexia.

When I was trying to understand if my little girl was dyslexic I found so much information, it was confusing. I needed clear signs, clear examples of why she maybe dyslexia.

Below are clear examples of dyslexia signs and symptoms.

Is my 5 year old dyslexic?

Your 5 year old child maybe dyslexic if they have the following signs of dyslexia:

Gets words mixed-up in nursery rhymes.
Mixes up words and sounds. "Beddy Bear" for Teddy Bear.
Trouble saying the letters "M, N, R and L".
One day they can read and spell, the next day they cannot.
Struggle to follow spoken step by step instructions.
Overly emotional, prone to angry outbursts.
Family history of dyslexia, such as a dyslexic parent.
Struggles with the order of numbers and letters. Such as saying alphabet and counting to 10.

If you spot 3 or more of the signs above, speak to your child's teacher. Give them 3 clear examples of why you believe your child is dyslexic, ask them to help.

For more signs of dyslexia in early years, primary school and secondary school age children. See "Is my child dyslexic?".

What is Dyslexia? Early Signs

Dyslexia Symptoms Child Age 5 - 10

The signs and symptoms of dyslexia, can appear different depending on the child's age.

See how the symptons of dyslexia are different for early year and primary school age children.

Early Years (ages 3-5):

Delayed speech development: Compared to other children their age, they may start talking later or have difficulty pronouncing words correctly.
Trouble rhyming: They may not be able to identify rhyming words or patterns in songs or poems.
Difficulty learning the alphabet: They may struggle to recognise and name letters, or have trouble remembering the order of the alphabet.
Problems with sequencing: They may have difficulty following instructions with multiple steps, or putting things in order, like the days of the week.

Primary School Infants (ages 5-7):

Confusion with letter sounds: They may mix up similar-sounding letters, like "b" and "d" or "p" and "q."
Inconsistent spelling: They may spell the same word differently each time, even simple words.
Difficulty blending sounds: They may have trouble sounding out words, making reading slow and laborious.
Poor reading comprehension: They may not understand what they're reading, even if they can decode the words.
Dislike for reading: They may avoid reading activities or seem frustrated when asked to read.

Later Primary School Juniors (ages 8-10):

Persistent spelling errors: They continue to make many spelling mistakes, even after being taught the correct way.
Slow reading speed and fluency: They may read slowly and stumble over words, making it difficult to keep up with classmates.
Limited vocabulary: They may have a smaller vocabulary than their peers and struggle to express themselves clearly.
Trouble with organisation and time management: They may have difficulty keeping track of assignments, deadlines, and materials.
Low self-esteem: They may feel discouraged and frustrated by their academic struggles, leading to low self-esteem.

Dyslexic Writing Examples

To spot dyslexia in a child's writing, see dyslexic writing examples in the video below. See blog post "Spot dyslexic writing" for more information.

Is my child dyslexic? Parent Stories

The signs of dyslexia may become more clear when a child reaches the age of 5. At this age the child may have started school and may start struggling.

Finding it more difficult then other children in their class, to learn how to read, write and spell. Yet parents, carers often spot the signs at an earlier age, from age 3-5.

Read real life examples from parents, of why they thought their child was dyslexic?

Early Dyslexia Signs Card

The Mooki Cards contain a “Early Dyslexia Signs” card. Spot the early signs in dyslexic children.

Use the card below on your phone or tablet for free!

This card is based on scientific research. Read "Defeat Dyslexia by H.Swinton".

How to get dyslexia help for a child?

After reading the signs of dyslexia above, you may recognise some of the symptoms in a child.

You may believe the child is dyslexic and you are now unsure how to get help.

You will need to first speak to the child's school teachers. They may discuss organising a dyslexia screening test or for the child to get formally assessed for dyslexia.

It can be very confusing to understand dyslexia tests and what can be done to help a dyslexic child learn. For helpful advice see blog posts below:

Other Symptoms of dyslexia

The early signs of dyslexia can show before a child is learning how to read and write. It can show in their speech development, response to verbal instructions.

Yet dyslexia may show in other ways in a child and could be a sign of other learning difficulties.

A dyslexic child may also struggle with their emotions and be prone to angry outbursts. They may have difficulties expressing themselves, or understanding others, this can lead to frustration.
The child may have other difficulties alongside dyslexia, such as dyspraxia and ADHD. Learn more about the differences between similar neurodiverse conditions, read "Dyspraxia, Dyscalculia And Dysgraphia Explained In Simple Terms".
Learn more about signs of dyslexia, "NHS Dyslexia in Children".

Everything You Need To Help A Dyslexic Child!

Dyslexia Help Mooki Cards, Order Your Copy Online Now!

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!