When children progress from reception class, to year 1. Classwork can start to become more difficult. Work becomes less about play, more about reading and writing. At the age of 6 if a child has an underlying learning difficulty, such as dyslexia. This may start to show more and affect the child’s progress in class.
As a parent or carer, you may believe your child is dyslexic. Yet unable to give clear examples of why. Below are guides to help you understand the signs of dyslexia in children. Remember any child that is struggling in class. With or without a formal dyslexia diagnosis, should be offered extra support. Children have to wait until they are aged 7 in the U.K, to be formally assessed. Extra help in class, such as one to one reading. Should be given at as early an age as possible.
The signs of dyslexia can be spotted in a child’s language and writing. To learn more see blog posts below.
A child with dyslexia is more likely to fall behind in class. Struggle to complete classwork. The work taught in classrooms in the U.K is set by the national curriculum. Children aged 6 are expected to be working at a certain level. Teachers teach work at this level. All children, including those with learning difficulties, work towards the national curriculum. Without extra support, this can result in a dyslexic child falling behind in class.
The signs of dyslexia in a 6 year old child, can start to show between the ages of 5-7. During early primary school years, when a child is starting to learn how to read and write. This is when the signs of dyslexia can become clearer. As the child may start to fall behind in class and struggle to do work.
Whilst many of the signs of dyslexia can be spotted in the writing of a child aged 5-7. There are many other signs of dyslexia in a 6 year old child. Parents, careers of dyslexia children are good at spotting these other signs. Such as the child struggling to learn how to get dressed or being prone to angry outbursts.
The parents, careers may have noticed the signs of dyslexia earlier than aged six, when their child was in early years. This is when a child is attending nursery or in reception class, aged 3-5 years old.
1. Reading & Writing
The child may struggle to read and write. Children in their class are able to read and write full sentences. Whilst your child is still learning basic letters and how to write their name. Struggling to learn to read, write and spell. Basic 2, 3, 4 letter words.
Learning spellings is hard for dyslexic children. It can one day seem like they have learned a spelling, then the next day they have forgotten. Dyslexic children will often spell the same word wrong in many different ways. Try these 10 minute "Reading & Writing" activities to help them improve.
2. Organisation
Dyslexic children can struggle with organisation. This can be a harder sign of dyslexia in a 6 year old child to spot. As children at this age are less independent and parents, careers still take a large role in their care. Yet signs like a child struggling to get dressed themselves. Being messy, unable to find things and confusing days of the week could be signs. Help a dyslexic child get more organised, try these activities "Get Organised".
3. Confidence
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty, a recognised disability. Dyslexic children usually will struggle in class. They may work harder than other children, yet still find it hard to keep-up. This can affect a dyslexic child's confidence. They may start to believe that they are not good at anything and never will be. That in future they won't be able to get a job. Yet dyslexia can be a superpower, some of the most creative, successful people in the world are dyslexic. Help to build their confidence by trying these 10 min activities, "Build Confidence".
4.Emotions
Failing behind in class, finding it harder to do work in class. Can affect a dyslexic child's behaviour. They may become quiet, withdrawn or start to misbehave. Their anxieties, frustrations surrounding struggling to learn may show as angry outbursts. Help dyslexic children by trying these activities, to "Give Comfort".
A child aged 6 cannot be formally assessed for dyslexia. Yet they can do an on-line screening test. The screening test usually can only be accessed by registered educational institutes. So it would be the child's school and teachers that would do the on-online screening test. Yet parents of dyslexic children have said that the results are not always accurate. That when their child had the formal dyslexia test, the results can back different. Usually providing a more firm diagnosis that the child has dyslexia.
Children can do a formal dyslexia test, have a formal dyslexia assessment at aged 7. It can be very confusing for parents, careers to understand this process. To know who should do the dyslexia test, how to arrange it and how much it cost. For a full guide see my post "Assessments for Dyslexia. Step by Step Guide".
There are some free dyslexia tests for children online, that parents and carers can use. Such as the Lexcercise, free dyslexic test for children. These dyslexia tests can be used by children from aged 5. Yet these tests are not a formal guide and if you have concerns your child is dyslexic, speak to their teachers.
As a parent, carer it can be confusing to understand. What your child should be able to do, to be sure they are getting the right help. The national curriculum was introduced into U.K schools in 1989. Below are links to checklists I have written. Based on the expected standards of English children should meet at the age of 6.
Dyslexic children should be given extra support. To help them achieve everything on the checklist. You can use the checklists to spot any gaps in your child’s learning. Then use my “Mooki” cards to help them learn and practise in these areas. All the activities on my cards are based on the “National Curriculum” and backed by science.
Similar to the signs of dyslexia in a 6 year old child. The signs of dyslexia in a 7 year old, may become more apparent at this age. At aged 7 a child will be in year 2, if they attend a primary school in the U.K. Year 2 is an important year. It is when children complete Key Stage 1 work and move onto Key Stage 2.
Children complete key stage 1 by doing SAT exams. These exams will usually be done in class by the teacher and the child may not even know they are doing an exam. Yet the results will give a clear indication of what level they are working at. For example a dyslexic child in year 2, maybe a year and half behind. Still working at reception level. This gap in learning maybe a sign that they are dyslexic.
Children aged 8 are in school year 3. They will now be starting Key stage 2 work. This level of work is much harder than Key stage 1 work. If a child has not learned the basics of reading, writing and spelling by this age. They may struggle to complete harder work such as writing stories, essays. It may then become clearer that they are dyslexia and need extra support. Such as dyslexia tests being arranging and extra one to one teaching time.
To help the child to relearn, how to read, write and spell basic words. see this post, "How To Teach A Dyslexic Child To Read & Write New Words".
When a child gets to age 9, they are expected to become more independent. Dyslexic children may still struggle to get dressed, do their own hair and tie their own shoe laces. They may find it hard to remember to do homework. To pack their own school bag and know when they have activities such as P.E, swimming and out of school clubs.
Other children in their class may seem more grown-up, more mature. More able to hold longer conversations, given long speaking parts in the school play. Whilst a dyslexic child may prefer playing games and listening to stories.
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!
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