Letter Reversals: Are They Normal, And How Can You Help?
Letter reversals, such as writing b for d or a backwards s, are common while children learn to write and usually fade by about age 7 or 8. They happen because young brains treat mirror images as the same thing at first. Pick the letters your child reverses for a targeted practice set.
On this page
- Which Letters Does Your Child Reverse?
- What Are Letter Reversals?
- At What Age Are Letter Reversals Normal?
- Why Do Children Reverse Letters?
- Which Letters And Numbers Are Reversed Most?
- How Can You Help A Child Who Reverses Letters?
- Do Letter Reversals Mean Dyslexia?
- When Should You Ask For Help With Letter Reversals?
- Questions About Letter Reversals
Which Letters Does Your Child Reverse?
Which Letters Does Your Child Reverse?
Tap every letter or number your child writes the wrong way round.
What Are Letter Reversals?
Letter reversals are letters or numbers written facing the wrong way, such as b instead of d or a backwards 3. Children also sometimes swap letters that are upside-down versions of each other, such as m and w. A whole word or line written backwards is called mirror writing.
At What Age Are Letter Reversals Normal?
Letter reversals are common up to about age 7 or 8, and become less frequent as reading and writing develop.
| Age | What is typical |
|---|---|
| While learning to write | Reversals of letters and numbers are not unusual (Berkshire NHS) |
| Up to 7 or 8 | Confusing mirrored letters is normal (Dyslexia UK) |
| After 7 or 8 | Targeted support if errors continue (Dyslexia UK) |
Why Do Children Reverse Letters?
Children reverse letters because, for most objects, a mirror image is still the same object. A chair facing left is still a chair. Letters such as b and d are some of the first things where direction changes the meaning.
The British Psychological Society notes that children learn the general shape of a letter faster than its direction, and that mirror writing does not relate to intelligence.
Which Letters And Numbers Are Reversed Most?
Berkshire NHS advice lists these as the most common:
- Letters: b, d, s, c and z, with w and m sometimes swapped.
- Numbers: 2, 3, 5 and 7, and 6 used for 9.
Dyslexia UK adds the mirrored pairs p and q, f and t, i and j, and n and u. See number formation for the start point of each digit.
How Can You Help A Child Who Reverses Letters?
Teach the start point and the movement, and work on one pair at a time.
- One pair at a time. Secure one letter before adding its mirror image.
- Teach the start point. b starts with a tall stick, d with a curly c. See b and d reversal.
- Use the family movement. Letters in the same family start the same way. See letter families.
- Short daily practice. A few minutes a day, tracing the letter the way it is written, on sandpaper, playdough or a chalkboard.
- Praise correct starts. Notice the start, not only the finished letter.
Berkshire NHS advice also notes that learning joined-up writing sometimes stops letters being reversed, because the join fixes the direction.
Do Letter Reversals Mean Dyslexia?
No. Letter reversals on their own are not a sign of dyslexia. They are a normal stage of learning. The NHS list of dyslexia signs does not include reversals, and focuses on reading below the expected level, slow reading aloud, and spelling. Dyslexia UK notes that letter confusion lasts longer in some dyslexic children, so persistent reversals alongside reading difficulties are worth raising.
When Should You Ask For Help With Letter Reversals?
Speak to the class teacher if reversals continue often after age 7 or 8, or come with difficulties in reading, spelling or copying.
- First: the class teacher.
- Next: the school's SENCo, who arranges any assessment.
- For health concerns: a GP, including eyesight. The NHS notes a GP cannot diagnose dyslexia. Dyslexia UK suggests a full eye examination if reversals continue in Year 3 and beyond.
Questions About Letter Reversals
Is It Normal For A 6-Year-Old To Reverse Letters?
Yes. Reversals are common at 6 and usually fade by 7 or 8.
Do Left-Handed Children Reverse More?
We found no UK source showing that they do. See left-handed writers for other differences.
Can Reversals Come Back When A Child Is Tired?
Occasional slips happen in fast or tired writing while a letter is still becoming automatic. If they happen often, go back to practising the start point.