Reading

My twins have been in preschool since they were 2.. well, its more like a playschool... so, now they are close to turning 5 and I was wondering when they should be reading. They can kinda write their name, but not really.. are they behind? They know all the letters of the alphabet and can count. thanks!

Marta :ibiggrin:

 

One of my boys started reading on his own at age 3 1/2. The other didn't read a word entering Kindergarten. Now in 2nd grade, they are both reading at a 4th grade level, with the one who started reading later, surpassing his brother. My point is, they sound like they are doing fine.

 

It varies hugely. Amy could write her name around age 3.5 and Sarah around age 4. At age 4.5 (now), they can both write all the rest of the alphabet, can recognize familiar words, and are starting (Sarah especially) to learn to sound out unfamiliar words. But there are kids in their preschool class (all age 3.5-4.5) who still can't write all the letters clearly or recognize words, and they're all doing fine too.

Also, remember that writing is a fine-motor skill as well as an intellectual skill, and those two things may develop at different speeds.

 

Both of mine can recognize their own name..not sure if they are actually reading or they just know what letter their name starts with. As far as actually picking out sight words and such, no they can't do that. I've tried to get them to recongize words, but they aren't there yet. They can figure what letter a word starts with, write their own name, and write numbers and most letters fairly well. We are also starting to learn blended sounds (ch, tr, etc.), but they are no where near reading. They start preschool this fall, so hopefully that will help them begin recognizing words.

 

The 'range' is huge. They sound just fine, considering they are not yet 5. Do they start K next Fall or the following year??

Schools usually teach formal reading instruction in K- our area expects Kindergarteners to leave K reading 100 or so sight words and sound out simple words (cat, dog,zoo, mom, etc). Many kids starting K know a mix of letters/sounds and some kids are reading at the start of the year.

Writing is often the same. By the end of K, kids in this area should write a basic sentence (I like pizza. I am a girl), full name and address. Many start K knowing how to write some letters and their name.
& recognize.

Math for K is knowing (writing and recognizing) #s 0-100, count to 100 by tens & fives. simple addition. Time by the hour,Common terms (less than, more than, whole, half). Many kids can count and recognize numbers to 20 or so and do some addition mentally ( 2 plus 2 more is 4) when school starts.

Reading comes before refined writing (both due toe fine motor skills and the face that if you cant read it, you will have a hard time writing it). Math varies depending on interest levels- both often written numbers develop alongside written letters.

Remember these skills by the the END of the K year. They walk into K with a wide range of knowledge depending on personal interest , age, abilities, exposure, and Preschool/homeschool etc backgrounds. The only worry I would have would be if they dont recognize their name and dont know ANY letters or numbers at this point or cant draw circles/lines etc.

The range going in to K for normal varies widely, but this is when most kids learn to read, write, and do more math related skills.

K kids in our area are ages 4y 10 m to 6y at the start of the school year.

Some theories of educational thought dont even believe in STARTing reading instruction until age 7 and other theories allow the child to pace themselves when they are ready regardless of age.

So far, we have paced what they want to learn with my girls- they are in PReschool this year and will do K next Fall. They both are doing well in Reading and writing (both are reading and writing) because they want to know it and we follow their lead, the PReK class also does some play based reading/writing skills---but not a lot of 'formal' teaching more exploratory child led stuff. But they both have very little interest in math. I am not worried at all- they can learn more about Math in K.

HTH

 

Knowing that I was able to read 2nd grade books by the time I was 4 (and read them out loud to my classmates), I kind of have high expectations for Alice and Royce, **BUT** if it doesn't happen it doesn't happen.

Alice knows all of her letters and some of her numbers, Royce knows about half of his letters and numbers. Alice can recognize her name and Royce's name and the words "cat", "off", "dog", but I know that this is extremely early, and definitely not the norm and she might not recognize them next week. Royce doesn't seem to be interested, and that's fine.

My mother was a kindergarten teacher and just like KCMichigan said, the range of skills are for children LEAVING kindergarten, not entering. My mom was happy if the kids knew how to sit in a circle and use scissors when they came in the door.

 

Our school year here in the Philippines starts in June.. they begin whats called "prep"... it's the grade right before grade 1.. Im hoping they learn then, I was just wondering what the average age to statr reading was. Thanks!

 

I am a big reader with my kids. I have found reading throughout the day more fun than just at bedtime. I will often read first thing in the morning, mid afternoon, and again at night. We read anything at various levels -- baby books, poems, etc. I have always had a hard time talking to my kids so I find this is a way for me to communicate with them since there is something we can both talk about. My one daughter likes letters, and the other likes numbers. My one daughter has been able to count with her fingers (without words) for a long time now. Up to 5. but she has had more of a hand facination.

The other daughter is recognizing some words like cow, pig, in, out, etc.

It sounds amazing but there are so many other ways that my two are behind in so many things. I think that is with most kids. My neice is younger and writing "m" and "c" letters. It all depends on what a child has interests in.

Being successful in life is so much more than just intelligence too, it is getting along with others, being assertive, being inspiring, having confidence in yourself, ..... a well rounded person.

Heather

 

Mine aren't as old as Sharon's but DS is reading and sounding out words easily, but interestingly enough his vocabulary isn't as good as DD's. DD will spend all day with her nose in a book(s) but doesn't read yet. But my district doesn't even expect kids to read by the end of K. And my district is consistently ranked in the top 100 in the country. So I wouldn't worry about being behind!