I seriously want your opinion on a 5 year old kid.?

Question

My sisters godson is 5 years old but hes turning 6 this year but he still doesn't know how to speak properly, not only that he has trouble concentrating, he doesn't know how to read, barely knows his alphabet. I think his brain is not developing and I think its because ever since he was a baby his mother used to put him in front of the tv and used to let him play video games, and thats all he likes to do. I have tried to tutor him for a while now but he never pays attention, he'll start talking to me about something else. five minutes into his tutoring he'll say "I'm tired" which I know is not true. I don't know what wrong with him, we think he might have adhd. we try to help him but it doesn't help that he has a bad mother.

I know not all kids at 5 know how to read but most here in Canada do. I learned how to read when I was like 3-4. he's nowhere near learning.

He's not my grandson, hes my sisters godson which I babysit all the time.

Answer 1

Should a 5 year old know how to read? I have a five year old and she does not know how to read. I don't think she has anything wrong with her.

Answer 2

Here in America a five year old would not know how to read, but at age two my son knew all his alphabets and numbers by sight. He could not say them in order but he could recognize them.

Now you describe other problems that could be a mild form of Autism, or ADHD or any number of problems out there. You said he had poor speach, and that he would not stay on the same subject as you.

My son has Autism, and all he ever does is watch TV, he is highly inteligent, but he does not have the ability to socialize as we do. He can read and do math, that sort of thing. Most everything he learned he learned watching tv and doing educational games because that is the only way I could get him to learn. He is verbal, but he is never talking about the same thing I am talking about. He does not give good eye contact and his speach leaves a lot to be desired.

I think this child does have some sort of problem and probably needs to be tested. In America children can start school at age three if there are delays that might need to be worked on that will help them when they get to the right age for starting school.

I am not sure what else to tell you, except I agree there is something not quite right.

Answer 3

When is he turning 6? If it is at the END of the year that means that he just turned 5. For a five year old not to speak perfectly is not that big of a thing. If for instance they don't understand that you should say "My sister and I" and not "ME" is not a big thing. Now, if he can't PRONOUNCE words...many words, that is when I would start getting concerned.

Boys develop slower in the alphabet and reading than girls do. And Girls have a harder time with numbers and math. I know I didn't know my alphabet at 5 let alone know how to read! Kindergarten used to be to learn how to play and share.

ADHD is an illness that teachers created because they don't want to have to deal with a difficult child. All children will learn at their own pace. It sounds like the kid needs to have people back off and let him be. I bet if he found something that he REALLY likes you couldn't get him away from it...take him to a museum or the zoo! There are MANY different ways of learning! Should check them out.

Answer 4

I don't like the ADHD label just because he can't pay attention. You gave every reason of why he doesn't pay attention and it was because the mother doesn't make him. He has basically learned not to pay attention.
Secondly, when I went to elementary school we didn't start doing sentences and breaking them down until first grade (6 years old) and then we split into three reading levels in my second grade class at 7 years old. So I'd say 6-7 was when I really learned how to read through the school systems. After that my mother bought me all kinds of books that were popular back then and she helped me at home after that.
I'm not saying you should wait until the school starts, but I think it will hit him more if he's doing it at school and at home. You can keep trying. Maybe sit down with the mother and talk to her about it. Be sure to make it calm, but serious. Don't attack her and point out all the wrong things you feel she's doing. Don't mention ADHD. Start out slow with him and then later decide if he needs something further for this. I believe it's really the mother not helping him.
For now, just for now, try to put him in a mode of paying attention. Tell him he can't play his games until he's finished. If he throws a fit, give him a punishment for that. He needs to have a punishment if he's not going to sit still and pay attention. Put him in time out, take away his toys. You can actually take the toys up and put them in your room until he's finished reading. He may actually be a slow learner/reader. Be patient first and foremost. If you lose your cool, then it's no wonder he loses his when things don't go his way either.

Answer 5

Kids all learn at different levels/ times. Most 5 year olds are just starting to learn to read. If he's in school the teacher can offer ideas on how to help teaching him at home. But flash cards are one thing that really helps. Teachers will suggest the same thing. Good luck and try not to push too much. Children at that age have a short attention span so practice for about 10 minutes on something and then give him a break.

Answer 6

I think that all kids develop on their on in different time frames. It is unfortunate that this child doesn't get the support at home, but you can make a difference. If you are trying to teach him with a book, change that.... take him for a walk. Start him reading the numbers on the houses, take him through the stores with you and get him to read the boxes and labels that he sees. Make games with basic grade level words that you can play with him, and offer him a reward. Perhaps it would be one program on t.v for a job well done. Some children learn better when they are not aware that they are learning. Making things fun takes the pressure off. Before long you will see a huge difference in him, Just remember that you should always encourage and support him, lead and he will follow and you will get a closer relationship with him..... good luck! For what it is worth I am a mom of 4 boys ages 11-9-6 and 2 and all my children can read, count and spell. This method will work.

Answer 7

A good part of his brain development already went on in the first three years of his life, so at this point a whole lot about his personality and abilities are already written in granite in many ways.

If he has ADHD the school he attends will pick up on that and address it with his mother. Sometimes a kid may know something but may refuse to demonstrate it for people he thinks shouldn't be concerned with what he knows. That's something to keep in mind.

If his mother has raised a kid who is the video-game type rather than the "academic" type he isn't going to be interested in being tutured on academic type stuff. He may be absolutely capable of learning. It could just be that his mother didn't cultivate in him any interest in it.

In any case, I'd assume the schools will address any issues with his mother or other guardian.

Answer 8

There's many explanations for this child.
1. He's just a slow learner.
2. He has a brain problem, such as autism, ADHD, ADD, etc.
3. People may be trying to force him to learn, which makes him want to rebel, just as many kids, especially teens do.
4. He thinks that since his mother isn't telling him to learn, it's unnecessary.
5. He flat out doesn't want to learn.
I would try talking to the child to see why he's not even trying..obviously it's doubtful that would work. Next, I would see if you could convince his mother, or him, to keep him away from the TV and videos games for a while, or set a time limit (a small one) that he's allowed to play video games and watch TV each day. If that doesn't work, get him checked by a doctor for possible brain problems. Last, but not least, enroll him in a school, or at least a preschool. Either way, you are doing a great job trying to tutor him and trying to get advice. Overall, you're just going to have to follow my steps, and be patient.

Answer 9

First of all I have a daughter that will be 6 next month and she can't read. There is nothing wrong with her. Second of all I have a son with ADHD. He is very intelligent. However if he is bored with whats being taught or how its being taught he will make excuses to get out of it. So, as far as being able to read...he is fine at 5 not being able to read. The speech unless really bad I wouldn't worry about either....some letters are just hard to say for some children. Give him some time. If you feel he really needs the tutoring, make sure it is done in a very interesting way to him. If he does have ADHD, it will take a lot of patience and a lot of creativity.

Answer 10

Oh for God's sakes people, the kid is only 5! No he does not have ADHD, people just use that as an excuse. He's only 5, concentration, speach and learning to read will come in time. He just wants to play and have fun. My five year old has the vocabulary of an adult, yet she doesn't know how to read. We are starting to teach her letters and the sounds they make, but we also want her to be a kid. Playing make believe and using her imagination is more important. I let my kids watch Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers and such. It teaches them their letters, how to treat other people,etc. Let him be a kid!

Answer 11

It is true that he is not learning what he should know by now simply because the t.v was the teacher. If his mother and father had spent time with him things probably would be different. But that doesn't mean that there is no hope. Limit t.v. and watch what he is watching. Read to him. Love him. Involve him in school. Ask for help from the people at school. It sounds like all he has is you so stick in there and everything will work out.