What age should children learn to read? 

Children begin developing the foundational skills for reading from birth. Through activities like reading with picture books, listening to stories, engaging in meaningful conversations, and being exposed to rich language, children start to build early literacy skills before formal schooling. These experiences help them become familiar with letters as well as the sounds, rhythms, and structures of language, which are all crucial pre-reading skills.

Formal reading instruction typically starts between the ages of 5 and 6, during the pre-kindergarten to first grade years. At this stage, children begin learning to recognize letters, understand letter-sound relationships, and write letters of the alphabet and simple words. These are important skills for becoming independent readers.

It’s important to remember that every child develops at their own pace. Some children begin reading earlier, while others may take a little longer. Factors such as early exposure to books, language-rich environments, and individual learning styles can influence when a child is ready to read. The key is to provide consistent encouragement and opportunities to explore language in fun, supportive ways.

Why is reading important?

• Reading with young children builds a strong relationship between the child and parents or caregivers through shared moments and connection.

• It promotes early brain development during periods of growth.

• Prepares children for academic success and provides long-term cognitive benefits.  

• Reading is the foundation for learning across all academic subjects. 

• It builds vocabulary, improves grammar, and encourages comprehension skills.

• Reading supports the development of problem-solving, reasoning, and analytical skills.

• Through fiction, children are introduced to new worlds and diverse perspectives, helping them develop creativity, imagination, and empathy.

• Fosters confidence and sets the stage for lifelong learning.

What factors affect reading?

• Language exposure: Children who are regularly read to and engaged in conversations tend to develop reading skills more quickly due to increased vocabulary and familiarity with language patterns.

• Phonemic awareness: The ability to recognize and manipulate the individual sounds in words is a key building block for reading success.

• Cognitive development: Memory, attention, and processing skills affect literacy.

• Home environment: A home filled with books, storytelling, and positive attitudes toward reading creates a strong foundation for literacy.

• Learning differences: Conditions like dyslexia or other language-based learning challenges can impact reading development.

• Quality of instruction: Skilled teachers, effective teaching methods, and strong reading curricula make a significant difference in a child’s reading progress.

Activities to practice reading skills

• Phonics games: Match letters with their sounds.

• Sight words bingo: Practice common highly used and recognizable words (sight words) like "the," "and", and "it".

• Letter-sound scavenger hunts: Look for items that start with a given sound.

• Read books: Read to your child to model fluent reading.

• Word family activities: Explore rhyming word groups (cat, hat, mat).

• Vocabulary charades: Act out or draw new words to build meaning.

• Picture-word matching: Match words to images to reinforce vocabulary.

• Point to sight words: Have your child point to sight words when reading together. 

Tips to encourage reading

• Create a consistent reading routine before bed or in the mornings before school.

• Involve your child in choosing books to read or for their own mini library. 

• Be a role model, and allow your child to see you reading.

• Praise effort, not perfection. 

• Celebrate small milestones.

• Bring your child to the library to explore new books and genres.

• Limit screen time and balance digital media with reading time.

If you have questions about your child’s literacy, reach out to your local or Summer Health pediatrician for support.  Summer Health is a pediatric telehealth platform offering 24/7 care, providing answers for everything from urgent concerns to everyday questions about your child’s health.