DS 4 Does Not Recognize All Letters and Numbers

[Anonymous]

Preschool teacher says that he should be able to recognize numbers 1-10 and all uppercase letters. She also commented that when she tries to work with him, he is looking all around and doesn't focus. If they go over something, she may ask him to identify the same number again and he won't know. When I work with him at home, he knows 1-5 but struggles with the remainder and knows about half of his letters. Sometimes when I go back to a letter or number, we recently reviewed, he'll get it wrong. He can write his name, complete puzzles, count, put things in order by size. No issues with behavior. The main issue for now really seems to be reading/recognizing the letters and numbers. She recommended making an appointment to have him evaluated. Is it too soon for that? Is this something he'll outgrow?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Preschool teacher says that he should be able to recognize numbers 1-10 and all uppercase letters. She also commented that when she tries to work with him, he is looking all around and doesn't focus. If they go over something, she may ask him to identify the same number again and he won't know. When I work with him at home, he knows 1-5 but struggles with the remainder and knows about half of his letters. Sometimes when I go back to a letter or number, we recently reviewed, he'll get it wrong. He can write his name, complete puzzles, count, put things in order by size. No issues with behavior. The main issue for now really seems to be reading/recognizing the letters and numbers. She recommended making an appointment to have him evaluated. Is it too soon for that? Is this something he'll outgrow?

Simply no way to know if it is too soon or something he will outgrow. But, IME, as a BTDT parent, if a teacher is telling you to get an eval, get one. They see an issue and they see a lot of kids.

[Anonymous]

Make an appointment with a developmental paediatrician - the wait list is long but sometimes they have cancellations. That being said, I wouldn't go for formal evaluation yet at Kennedy Krieger (which is expensive and age 4 is too early)

[Anonymous]

Teacher recommended Stixrud. I've heard there is a long wait and it is also $$$. I wonder if he is too young for an evaluation like that. What would a developmental pediatrician do?

[Anonymous]

This is the ONLY reason the preschool teacher recommends evaluation. THIS IS NUTS.

Totally nuts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the ONLY reason the preschool teacher recommends evaluation. THIS IS NUTS.

Totally nuts.

To whom are you replying? Are you saying the teacher only recommended this because the test is expensive? Are you implying the teacher gets a referral fee or something like that? Just trying to understand.

[Anonymous]

He's four. Not recognizing letters and numbers is not something I would get an evaluation for. I would also reconsider my choice of preschool if this is such a focus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's four. Not recognizing letters and numbers is not something I would get an evaluation for. I would also reconsider my choice of preschool if this is such a focus.

+1

Former Kindergarten teacher. Several children couldn't identify ONE letter on the fall PALS (VA), and this was a pretty high SES area.

Your child is fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the ONLY reason the preschool teacher recommends evaluation. THIS IS NUTS.

Totally nuts.

Yes, that he doesn't focus when she works with him and doesn't recognize his letters and numbers - that something isn't clicking. And that they may go over something, go back to it, and he gets it wrong even though he got it right the first time.

She said he does great socially, follows instructions, is eager to learn, etc.

[Anonymous]

Ugh. My second grader was like this at 4-5. She was really into creative and imaginative play and awesome at puzzles and figuring stuff out, but really slow to learn letters and numbers. Did I stress about it? Of course. Is it all fine now? Absolutely. Half the stuff I worried about was time wasted. OP, you know your child best and sure, go for an evaluation if it will provide you with some comfort, but I honestly believe kids learn at their own pace and 4 is way too young to be stressing about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He's four. Not recognizing letters and numbers is not something I would get an evaluation for. I would also reconsider my choice of preschool if this is such a focus.

It is a Montessori in Bethesda and they tend to do a lot of "academics".

At home I've bought Brain Quest and he does a great job with that, loves puzzles and building, using scissors well, etc.

I too have been frustrated by the number and letter recognition but also think it could be age as he has a summer birthday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make an appointment with a developmental paediatrician - the wait list is long but sometimes they have cancellations. That being said, I wouldn't go for formal evaluation yet at Kennedy Krieger (which is expensive and age 4 is too early)

A developmental pediatrician at KKI will do a formal and full evaluation as will one at Children's. That's the point of making an appointment and waiting for months to see a developmental pediatrician. Check with your insurance, OP, b/c more than likely this visit will be covered whole or in part at one of these places.

In the meantime, take your kid to an ENT with an audiologist and have his hearing tested. Contact Child Find (through your local elementary school) and ask for an evaluation. Letter recognition is often related to speech and/or language-based learning disabilities.
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/getting-started/what-you-need-to-know/the-difference-between-speech-language-disorders-and-attention-issues

Dyslexia is for letters dyscalculia is for the numbers.
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/understanding-dyslexia
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dyscalculia/understanding-dyscalculia

[Anonymous]

Start with your own pediatrician--but honestly this seems fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make an appointment with a developmental paediatrician - the wait list is long but sometimes they have cancellations. That being said, I wouldn't go for formal evaluation yet at Kennedy Krieger (which is expensive and age 4 is too early)

A developmental pediatrician at KKI will do a formal and full evaluation as will one at Children's. That's the point of making an appointment and waiting for months to see a developmental pediatrician. Check with your insurance, OP, b/c more than likely this visit will be covered whole or in part at one of these places.

In the meantime, take your kid to an ENT with an audiologist and have his hearing tested. Contact Child Find (through your local elementary school) and ask for an evaluation. Letter recognition is often related to speech and/or language-based learning disabilities.
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/getting-started/what-you-need-to-know/the-difference-between-speech-language-disorders-and-attention-issues

Dyslexia is for letters dyscalculia is for the numbers.
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dyslexia/understanding-dyslexia
https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/dyscalculia/understanding-dyscalculia

Thanks! Very helpful!

I was under the impression that testing is costly and not covered by insurance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:He's four. Not recognizing letters and numbers is not something I would get an evaluation for. I would also reconsider my choice of preschool if this is such a focus.

+1

Former Kindergarten teacher. Several children couldn't identify ONE letter on the fall PALS (VA), and this was a pretty high SES area.

Your child is fine.

I totally agree. I would seriously reconsider that preschool. There is nothing in your post that raises any red flags. Totally normal for his age.