Tick the things your child can do, and work on the things that are next for them.
To find out more just click on the words. Children who begin early may be much more advanced than the guidlines suggest

Reads rehearsed passages accurately, and with expression

Child knows when a word "looks wrong", and attempts to correct it

Can read and retell a story or non-fiction article

Writes in sentences, with control over capitals and full stops

Recognises a larger core of words

Operates the computer with more than one program open at a time 'multi-tasking' between one and the other

Writes a draft and detects own spelling errors but  may not be able to correct them at this stage

Text guide: Choose books which follow the child's interests from Television, movies, comics, magazines and the Internet

Selects appropriate books independently

Oral reading gives way to mostly silent reading

Recalls spellings for common words by rote.

Writes a draft, and corrects meaning and spelling errors

Text guide: Children could now be reading series of books by one author

Reads challenging books independently

Understands most spelling rules, and can create almost any word that can be spoken

Has developed a large reading vocabulary

Draft writing shows more control over sentence punctuation, and direct speech

Still has a few spellings which are  uncertain despite all attempts to learn  them

Text guide: Children's novels should make up the bulk of reading now, with reading for recreation and fun being the norm.

Parents: Continue to read to, or with your children for as long as possible, to stay in touch, and to maintain relationships with and through books