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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 toโMookiโ 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 โReception” 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:
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? Iโm, Iโll, weโll โ
- Read words? Helping, helped, quickest
Dyslexic Mum Tip – Practise reading, use activities below:
- Word Sounds List
- Blending Sounds Card
- Tricky Words Cardโ
- Clapping Syllables Cardโ
- 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, boxesโ
- Use “un”? unbox, unpick
Dyslexic Mum Tip – Practise reading, use activities below:
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.
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.
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!โ