When Do Kids Start Learning to Read? A Guide for Parents

As parents, we all want to make sure our kids grow up to be happy and successful. Having well-developed language skills is a fundamental step in this process. We can't overstate the importance of literacy as a life skill. Reading and writing skills are important for effective communication and learning, not just during childhood but also well into adulthood.

And because reading comprehension is so vital, it's equally important to understand how our children develop their reading skills. In this article, we're going to discuss the milestones to watch for as your children develop their reading abilities.

Average Age Kids Learn to Read

Most people expect most children to develop some reading skills by the time they reach first grade. But that's not the only important milestone for gauging literacy. There are also certain skills and attributes to keep an eye on during the early stages of your child's life.

If you've ever wondered whether your child's reading skills are progressing at a normal rate, you're not alone. Many parents wonder the very same thing.

Reading Development: What to Watch For 

As parents, you must recognize that each child learns in their own unique way. That being said, there are certain developmental milestones to look out for when it comes to reading skills. We'll go over some of these key milestones now.

Ages 0-2

Some people believe that reading skills are something that children learn only once they begin attending school. But experts say that building a strong foundation for literacy in a child's early years is vital. If you want your children to achieve long-term reading success, it's important to start early.

Believe it or not, it's possible to get your kids off to a strong start even when they're just babies! Giving your child colorful and engaging board books can boost their interest in reading. Reading to your children, even when they're infants, can also help. The impact of this only increases as they get older.

Once your children become toddlers, their baby babble will start to evolve into simple words. However, it's important to remember that while speech can be learned naturally through exposure, reading is a learned skill. You must take the time to teach your child the basics.

One of the first reading milestones is when children begin to use less baby-talk and more real words. Typically, this starts to happen at around 18 months old. It's important to teach your kids new words and encourage word recognition at this stage. Experts from the Child Mind Institute recommend reading together with your child and making it an interactive experience.

Ages 3-4

Between the ages of 3 and 4, children typically begin attending preschool. Alternatively, some parents choose to educate their children at home, which is equally valid. Either way, this is the stage at which children start to further develop basic reading skills. At this age, children start to understand the stories they read. They also begin to understand letters and letter sounds. Depending on their natural aptitude, some children can even start to learn spelling.

Ages 5-6

People also know this stage as "kindergarten age", since this is when most children start school. This is usually when children begin sounding out words on their own. Also known as "decoding words", this is an important skill for learning to read. Decoding words helps kids understand letter sounds and develop phonemic awareness. Another key milestone at this age is the ability to recognize familiar words when reading books.

Ages 6-7

This age is when most children are in first or second grade. At this age, kids should start reading on their own if they haven't already. Their vocabulary should continue to grow, enabling them to retell familiar stories coherently. Finding books for kids ages 5 - 8 is important to encourage this.

Signs Your Child Is Ready for Reading

It can be difficult to know when your child is ready for the next stage of learning. That being said, some signs can indicate where your child is in the learning process. You can use that to determine what's next.

Identifying Letters and Syllables

Recognizing letters and understanding how they combine to form words is a vital skill. Your child's ability to do this shows that they’re building a strong foundation in reading skills.

Understanding Conversations

A key part of language development is being able to understand the definitions of words. But equally important is understanding the meaning of words in context. A good indicator of reading comprehension is your child's ability to follow conversations and stories more effectively than before.

Phonemic Awareness

Phonemic awareness is the ability to identify the sounds that make up words. This skill is crucial for understanding the alphabet as well as how syllables come together to form words.

Children must be able to make connections between letters and sounds. The sooner they develop this ability, the easier time they'll have in all aspects of reading. If your child has already mastered the alphabet as a toddler, for example, their reading skills are developing fantastically.

Natural Interest in Reading

Some children learn to read faster than others due to their natural interest in reading. Furthermore, research published in Psychological Medicine shows that children who enjoy books often show better cognitive development in later years. Therefore, it's important to encourage this inclination when you see it. Children who already show interest in reading are almost always ready for further education.

Success Sounding Out Words

It's important for children to understand how letters come together to form words. Children typically learn this by sounding out words. Being able to do this helps with word identification. If your child can sound out words on their own, their reading skills are developing nicely. Between the ages of 5 and 6, most kids typically start to sound out words more confidently.

How to Encourage Your Child's Reading Development

As parents, it's our job to help our children learn and grow. A parent's efforts are just as important as a teacher's when it comes to education. Since parental support is so vital, we'll now discuss ways to help your kids learn to read.

Invest In Age-appropriate Reading Material

One of the best ways to help your child learn to read is by having age-appropriate books for them. It's important for kids to have access to a range of stories at their reading level that ignite their imagination.

Our toddler books are a great choice if you're looking for age-appropriate material for young children. Our ABC combo set and 123 combo set can help you combine fun with education. These books can help children learn to read as well as improve their vocabulary. The material covered in these books also offers knowledge of important real-world concepts.

Be a Good Role Model

As most parents know, children often mimic the behavior they see. That's why it's important for the adults in their lives to be good role models. Parents should express interest in books and show their children that they enjoy reading. This teaches children that reading is fun. Making reading a regular activity in your home can also be helpful. This shows that reading is a normal and enjoyable interest, rather than a chore.

Provide Access to Reading Material

One of the easiest ways to encourage reading development is to ensure your child always has plenty to read! Encourage your children to explore different types of books. And be sure to pay attention to the genres they love reading! Having books that interest them can make reading more fun for children.

Our Family Starter Pack is an excellent choice if you're looking for a great book bundle for kids. These books tell engaging stories while also helping kids learn about history and ethics. Our Tuttle Times Monthly Magazine is also an excellent choice for supporting your child's growing literacy. Each monthly magazine comes with stories and activities to help further your child's understanding of the world.

Using What's Around You

Teaching literacy doesn't have to happen just at home or school. Parents can also help boost their kids' reading comprehension during day-to-day activities. The best way to do this is actually to point out words and letters in your environment. For example, on a walk to the park, you can point out the signs you pass along the way. Or at the grocery store, you can show your children the words of their favorite foods.

When to Reach Out for Help

It can be challenging to determine if your children are developing their language skills at a healthy pace. If your child does display reading challenges, though, it's best to address them early. Keep an eye out for signs that your child is struggling.

The indications can be subtle, but normally involve reading avoidance or reading fatigue. Difficulty with spelling or pronunciation can also indicate that your child is struggling. Parents must trust their instincts and seek additional advice if they think their child needs help.

Tips for How to Teach a Child to Read Books

There's a wealth of information available on how to teach children to read. So much, in fact, that it can be overwhelming. With that in mind, we've put together some simple tips and tricks for you to use.

The Importance of Uppercase Letters

Although lowercase letters might be more common, uppercase letters are better when first teaching children letter identification. This is because uppercase letters are more distinctive. Their uniqueness helps children learn and remember them more easily.

Start With Sounds

It's tempting to focus on teaching your children the names of letters first. But teaching them the letter sounds might actually be more effective for developing their language skills. Generally speaking, experts recommend teaching your children letter names and sounds in tandem. For example, don't just say "This is the letter D". Instead, you should say, "This is the letter D, like in 'dog' or 'duck'." Doing this can also help your child develop their ability to sound out words on their own.

Teach Phonetics

Understanding the relationship between letters and the sounds they make is crucial for reading success. Phonics instruction can help immensely with this. Phonics involves teaching children the associations between spoken language and the written word. This helps with decoding words and makes children stronger readers.

Balance Phonics and Sight Words

Sight words are words that aren't spelled the way they sound. Since children can't successfully sound out these words, it's important to teach them directly. We recommend emphasizing phonics due to its importance in decoding. However, it's advisable to make time for sight words, too. Teaching your children sight words ahead of time can help in the long run.

Talk to Your Children

Speaking to your children often helps expand their vocabulary. Conversations can also help them gain a greater understanding of sentence structure and how people use certain words. Talking about different subjects also helps them practice using context cues to infer information.

Make Reading Fun

It's important to make reading as fun as possible for your children. If reading feels like a chore, they won't want to do it. As parents, our job is to be supportive and encouraging. Make sure you don't put too much pressure on your children as they learn to read. Be patient and understanding, even if they struggle sometimes.

The easiest way to make reading enjoyable is to pick books your children love. If your kids love dragons and magic, read fantasy books. If they're interested in dinosaurs, look for age-appropriate books on the subject. Our Choose Your Consequence books are a great way to grab your child’s attention. Keeping the learning experience fun and exciting is important for keeping kids engaged.

Practice Shared Reading

Shared reading can be particularly effective for developing language skills. This activity involves reading aloud to your child, usually while showing them the text. Shared reading helps with literacy and language development. It also helps strengthen the child-parent bond and develop an enjoyment of reading.

Make shared reading an interactive experience, even for toddlers. Engage your children by asking questions as you read, even if they can't answer. This helps maintain their interest and makes the learning process fun.

Play Word Games

Playing games can actually be a great way to build reading skills without the pressure of reading a story. Many online resources suggest fun and beneficial word games you can play with your children. Or you could even come up with something entirely new, just for your family!

Playing With Words (Literally)

Learning to read and write doesn't have to be limited to paper. You can use blocks, toys, or even artistic media to help your children learn to read. Spell words using alphabet blocks, or have them paint some words in bright colors. The only limit here is your imagination, so get creative!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Does My Child Have Trouble Reading?

If your child isn't learning at the same pace as their peers, don't be alarmed! Every child learns at their own pace. Just because your kids are learning at a different speed doesn't mean anything is wrong.

There are several reasons why your child might be having a harder time than their classmates. It's possible that the learning format at school isn't a good fit for them. Some children also struggle with certain skills. But with time and your support, these challenges can be overcome.

Is It Normal for Some Children to Learn to Read Faster Than Others?

Many parents find it concerning when one child appears to develop skills more quickly than another. However, it's important to remember that each child is unique. Every person learns at a different pace.

It's possible that a developmental discrepancy could indicate a learning disability. However, it's just as likely that the cause is something innocuous. The reason could be something as simple as one child enjoys reading and finds it fun, while the other considers it a chore.

Do your best to avoid comparing one child to another. Even siblings will hit developmental milestones at different times.

Who Should I Consult With if I'm Concerned?

If your child is in school, it's often best to reach out to their teacher first if you have concerns. Teachers can offer insight into your child's progress in the classroom. This can help determine if there's a genuine issue. Many school districts also offer special learning programs that can offer additional support.

How Can We Identify Kids Who Are at Risk of Reading Problems?

Certain signs can indicate a higher risk of reading problems in children. One sign is poor phonological awareness. For example, if young children exhibit difficulties understanding rhyming patterns, it can indicate a risk of dyslexia. Overall, if your child is experiencing significant challenges with skills their peers are succeeding at, you should investigate further.

What’s the Best Technique for Helping Struggling Kids?

One of the most effective techniques is called "systematic phonics instruction". This helps kids improve their reading skills by methodically working through phonics skills. You begin with common letter-sound patterns and then gradually work up to more complicated patterns.

Are There Ways to Help Dyslexic Children Learn to Read?

Patiently teaching phonics to children with dyslexia, and with plenty of repeated practice, can be highly beneficial. Start with familiar sounds and words before moving on to more complex ones. Each child is unique, however, so be prepared to adapt your teaching strategy as needed. Some children benefit from visual aids, while others are better at straightforward memorization. 

Conclusion

There's a lot to think about when it comes to the subject of child literacy. Ultimately, the most important thing to do is to support your child as they develop their reading skills. And when in doubt, seek out the advice of experts.

References

• Sheldon-Dean, H. (2023, January 19). Why Is It Important to Read to Your Child? Child Mind Institute
• Sun, Y.-J., Sahakian, B. J., Langley, C., Yang, A., Jiang, Y., Kang, J., Zhao, X., Li, C., Cheng, W., & Feng, J. (2023). Early-initiated childhood reading for pleasure: associations with better cognitive performance, mental well-being and brain structure in young adolescence. Psychological Medicine, 54(2), 1–15.