What are the early signs of dyslexia in preschool children
As a parent you worry about the development of your child. So many targets to reach. “Are they tall enough, are they reaching the required weight, are they potty trained by 4?” Being a parent isn’t easy.
As someone who is dyslexic, you can’t help looking for the early signs of dyslexia in your child.
Here are some of the early signs in preschool-aged children (around 3-4 years old):
Speech and language development:
Being a late talker or having delayed language development
Mispronouncing words frequently (e.g. "aminal" for "animal")
Using baby talk longer than expected
Difficulty learning common nursery rhymes
Trouble recognizing or producing rhyming words
Calling things by the wrong name (word finding difficulties)
Mixing up sounds within words (e.g. "persgetti" for "spaghetti")
2. Memory and sequencing:
Difficulty following multi-step instructions
Trouble learning and remembering the alphabet, numbers, days of the week, colors, shapes
3. Early literacy skills:
Difficulty recognizing letters, especially in their own name
Trouble connecting letters with their sounds
Inability to recognize rhyming patterns in words
4. Other signs:
Family history of reading/spelling difficulties
Delayed fine motor skills
Difficulty with time concepts (yesterday, today, tomorrow)
Trouble learning to tell time
5. Strengths often seen:
Curiosity and imagination
Good understanding of new concepts
Larger vocabulary than typical for age (in some cases)
Talent for building or solving puzzles
Remember, all children are different and not all children will show all these signs, and having some of these traits doesn't necessarily mean a child has dyslexia so do not panic. However, if multiple signs are present, especially alongside a family history of dyslexia, it may warrant further investigation or early intervention.
