I'm no expert, but I'd say about Grade 2... say 7 years old...

 

I have taught 2nd grade for 5 years. I would say that age 7-8 would be the outer limit of what would be "normal" for making letter reversals. That said, it really depends on when the child first learned to write the letters. In my current class, I have 2 students who still often reverse letters. The first, an 8 year old, definitely has some type of learning issue and is being evaluated right now so that we can figure out how best to help him in class. The second is an 8 year old who came to my public school from a Waldorf school in Seeptember. She had not yet learned to write the letters at all, so she learned this year in my class, and the fact that she is still reversing letters does not alarm me at all because I know the whole writing thing is still new to her. If a student is still reversing letters but can read without a problem, I am less concerned. If reading is also a big challenge, I think dyslexia or another disability is more likely.

 

I start worrying about it (as a school psychologist) at the end of third grade...it's not uncommon up to that age...as an aside to this, I looked at some old papers from my childhood a few years ago and found lots of reversals in the third grade work--and I was in the GATE (then MGM) program.

edited to add; and I totally agree with teachma!

 

I would only worry about it if it was part of a more all-encompassing problem, like if your child also cannot read at or close to grade level, or is also having trouble in math (reading numbers backwards or out of order).

-Mommy and Special Ed. Teacher

 

I get so worried about these things! My DD, age 7, 1st grade, has missed so many spelling words just because of backwards letters, like b and d and p and q! However, I am forcing myself not to worry too much b/c she switched schools between K and 1st and this new school pushes writing and letters more than her old school did. She will get her numbers backwards every now and again too. So for us, I won't consider it a problem until late into 2nd grade, maybe as early as 3rd grade.

I also work with her at home here, having her write me stories about things that start with those letters. She absolutely loves to write! So I will ask her to write me a story about puppies. Funny thing is, she does fine at home, so I am pretty sure it's the stress of spelling tests and math tests that are getting her.

I would not worry until another year or so! Even though I know how hard it is not to worry!!!

 

thanks everyone. My dd is almost six so I know it's still normal. She almost always reverses b and d. She spells dad ..bab...lol

 

And that's the most common set of reversals.... b/d. Also, p/q/g, 5/2, 6/9...none of those really bother me to see, it's confusing! You can try teaching your children to hold up their hands, thumbs up, closed fingers, palms facing them---b....d It also looks like a b ed when it's done properly. But mostly, I agree, don't worry about it unless there are lots of other signs accompanying the reversals.

 

Okay, I don't know it his will help at all, but I just think it so interesting to see it from the child's view!

I was reading a John Holt book and he said to think of a cat (I think) and how the cat is still a cat no matter how you look at it- from the right or left, upside down even. He says that is how little kids think of letters! Like it is still an L even if it is upside down or backwards or whatever, and if left alone, sometime by the time s/he is a adult, the child will realize it and take care of it on their own.

My ds is only three, but he just made an L the other day that was completely turned around, and I just let it go and praised his other letters and I think he *will* get it figured out before college, kwim? (Or if he *asks* me, I can show him!)

That said, I am completely in the wrong forum as we homeschool, so

 

3rd generation teacher here!
ITA with teachma and LiamnEmma.
I've been teaching k-1 for 10 years now and just don't worry about reversals at all in that age group. I even remember struggling myself with b/d as a student and that with my own teachma at home coaching.
The John Holt informtaion that PerfectLove mentioned is exactly what I say to concerned parents. And yes, they do get it, but it is a big leap to make.
Time for

 

Perfectlove you are always welcome here as a homeschooler!

 

Everyone, thanks for the replies! What about verb tenses? My dd will still say "I writed" or "she bringed me..." not wrote or brought. Most of the time I let it go.
any thoughts?