Many parents wonder, 
“Is it too early to tell if my preschooler is struggling with reading or spelling?” 

The answer is no! In fact, preschool is a critical time for observing early literacy skills that can signal early signs of literacy difficulties.

What are some of the signs of early literacy difficulties in preschoolers?

Alphabet Knowledge
Difficulty with:

• learning the letters or remembering the letters taught
• learning the letter sounds despite repeated teaching
• recognising the letters (ABCs) 
• sequencing the letters

Reading
Difficulty with:

• recognising high frequency words despite being taught or exposed to (e.g. the, my, she) 
• joining sounds together to read words

Writing and spelling

• Has difficulty forming letters and/or numbers 
• Has difficulty writing own name 
• Has difficulty learning to spell 
• Writes in mirror image (e.g. b/d/p/q) 
• Has difficulty breaking up the sounds in a word (e.g. 3 sounds /c//a//t/ in the word ‘cat’) 

Others

• Takes a long time to recall concepts taught in school or home 
• Forgets easily 
• Needs 1 to 1 attention to complete work in school or at home 
• Requires multiple reminders to focus and stay on task 
• Has difficulties following multi-step instructions 
• Frequent task avoidance