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My child is five and not reading yet. Should I worry?
Usually not. At five, most children are still learning letter sounds, which is the first step; reading simple stories with easy words usually comes at about six. If your child is struggling to hear the sounds in words, learn letter sounds, or read simple words, talk to their teacher early rather than waiting.
Key facts
- At 5 to 6 years, children may know some or all letter sounds, an important first step in learning to read. (Raising Children Network)
- By 6 years, children start to read simple stories with easy words that sound the way they're spelled. (Raising Children Network)
- Early reading difficulties often show before Year 1: in hearing the sounds in words, hearing rhymes and words that start the same, learning letter names and sounds, remembering letter shapes, and reading simple words without guessing from pictures. (AUSPELD)
- Don't wait to investigate: the earlier a difficulty is found, the better. (AUSPELD)
- In NSW public schools every Year 1 child does a short phonics check, usually 5 to 7 minutes, so the teacher can plan their learning. (NSW Department of Education)
- Differences among children are usually nothing to worry about. If you are worried, trust your instinct and see your family health nurse, GP or paediatrician. (NSW Government)
What helps at home
- Read aloud together every day, any book your child likes. It's not a test.
- Play with sounds: I spy with sounds ("something beginning with /m/"), and robot talk for blending.
- Letter sounds a little and often: a few minutes, then stop while it's still fun.
- When your child knows some sounds, read decodable books in order: every word is made only of sounds they've met.
Who to ask
Start with your child's teacher: they see your child reading every day, and can say what they're working on. If something seems off with speech, hearing or language as well as reading, your GP or paediatrician can check and, if needed, refer you to a speech pathologist.
Games on Little Roos that help
- Dingo's Echo: Letter sounds, by hearing a sound and finding the letter that makes it. Ages 3-6.
- Blend It, Bandicoot: Blending sounds into words: hear s … u … n, and find the sun. Ages 4-6.
- A Rhyme at a Time: Hearing which words end the same way. Ages 4-7.
Sources
- Raising Children Network: Language development in children 5-8 years
- AUSPELD: Understanding Learning Difficulties, a guide for parents (Does my child need help?)
- NSW Department of Education: Year 1 Phonics Screening Check, for parents and carers
- NSW Government: Developmental milestones in primary school aged children
Updated