https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 02 Jul 2026 21:28:15 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2428362 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 20:55:26 +0000 honeybear 2428362@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think of learning to read as a progression, and I don't think there is an intrinsic advantage to knowing how to decode early, but I do think that the marketers of early reader books really want parents to believe that there is!</p> <p>To answer the question, I don't remember exactly when I learned to read. I vaguely recall doing art projects with letters in Kindergarten, but I don't remember specific books I read. I remember quite clearly some of the books I read to myself in first grade, so I assume that I learned to decipher and understand text around 5. But I was still "learning to read" texts in grad school when I was 25--in fact, that's why I went! As for LO, we home school and I started formally teaching my 5 year-old to read in the summer/fall. I just noticed that the set of primers we're using now is labeled "Ages 4 and up." Maybe I'm too cynical, but I think that labeling these for 4 year-olds is a marketing tactic that preys on parental anxiety, not a pronouncement that it is a good idea to teach 4 year-olds using these books. In any event, I would view the age ranges on early reading materials with a healthy dose of skepticism. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426987 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 01:20:09 +0000 sandy 2426987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It varies so much! But I think most kids are leaving Kindergarten with the ability to read. </p> <p>My LO can read and she turned 4 in November. In her pre-k program they have her reading the Cowgirl Kate series. She has been a fluent reader since a little before 3.5 - meaning you could give her a book she's never seen before and she could read it front to back. It started at a young age where she just could memorize sight words like crazy. At 2.5 she would read the signs at the zoo next to the animal exhibit. It would just shock me that she would full on read sentences. For her, it was a natural love for letters and sounds but also a very spontaneous process. Not all kids learn the same way and lots of kids don't rely heavily on phonics or sounding out...they almost literally start full on reading. </p> <p>I didn't learn to read until I started Kingergarten. DH was also an early reader (age 3) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426978 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 00:56:57 +0000 erinpye 2426978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It varies, but I think generally they like to see kids reading or understanding some principles of reading, by the end of Kindergarten. I didn't read until 1st grade, but my sister entered K already reading. DD sight read words at 2.5, and has been sounding out words and sentences, deciphering things we spell, and phonetically writing letters to people (especially Santa) for a while, she's 3.5. She isn't yet a fluent reader (still takes a while to read a sentence, excepting the shorter words she knows by sight), and doesn't need to be, but she's really into it and I suspect she will be soon.</p> <p>DD2 is only 23 months and knows her letters and their sounds, so I'm thinking she's following in big sister's footsteps and will be on the earlier side. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426975 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 00:53:21 +0000 HLK208 2426975@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS started to read in pre-k (so 4/5). He wasn't consistent/fluent until 5 though. He's been reading chapter books since he turned 6.</p> <p>DD seems like she's on the same track...at 3.5, she knows all her letters and sounds so I think maybe a year from now she'll be able to? We'll see. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426969 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 00:38:21 +0000 lamariniere 2426969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here, they don't learn to read until elementary school (the equivalent of US kindergarten). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426893 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 23:01:34 +0000 mrsjazz 2426893@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was reading at 4 thanks to a Dad that drilled us all the time. It's a good thing I loved &amp; still love reading because that could've backfired.</p> <p>LOs 3s class is doing pre-reading. They know their letters and her teacher has been working on comprehension. She said she would work on sight words and phonics if the kids are ready--they are all at different levels. I think true reading probably starts in kindergarten. </p> <p>LO wants to read so badly and actually thinks she can read. I don't crush her dream. But she does know a lot of sight words and is just starting to sound out simple words. We don't push but we do spoil her with new books all the time! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426856 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 22:09:50 +0000 Anagram 2426856@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: I definitely think there are early learners--I was an early reader and could read full books by myself before I started Kinder, so while the other kids worked on flashcards, I got to go the the library and sit by myself and read books every day, haha.</p> <p>But I don't think parents should push their kids into early reading. If they show an interest, cool--if not, they can start in K and really learn in 1st. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426848 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 22:00:45 +0000 regberadaisy 2426848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I was going to say 6 too. I consider "reading" as being able to sound out words and read from a book mom and dad haven't read to them before. Otherwise I think a lot of it is great memory skills. :silly: </p> <p>My DD1 is 3y 8m and no where near reading. I'll be the first to say it. ;) I don't expect her to start till 5.</p> <p>Mrs. Cowgirl wrote a really great 2 post series on this topic:<br /> <a href="http://www.hellobee.com/2015/04/07/please-stop-teaching-preschoolers-to-read-part-1/" rel="nofollow">http://www.hellobee.com/2015/04/07/please-stop-teaching-preschoolers-to-read-part-1/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426832 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 21:43:13 +0000 Pancakes 2426832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD started reading sight words around 3.5, and her reading really took off once she turned 4. She will be 5 in March and can read almost anything you put in front of her (not that she understands it all!). She's also the only one reading in her preschool class. She's always been extremely verbal though, and other than offering her lots of exposure to print material, I don't really feel that we've done anything special that we can take credit for. I really believe it's a developmental thing, and I can already tell that DD2 isn't nearly as verbal as her sister. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426826 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 21:35:17 +0000 Anagram 2426826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In Finland, they don't start reading until 1st grade. =) <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/10/the-joyful-illiterate-kindergartners-of-finland/408325/" rel="nofollow">http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/10/the-joyful-illiterate-kindergartners-of-finland/408325/</a></p> <p>I think a lot of kids learn by the end of K these days, and then really take off in 1st. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426821 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 21:29:38 +0000 Mama Bird 2426821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my day care they're teaching the three and four year old group. DS is three and has just started to recognize words. He doesn't seem to be interested in books though (won't ever sit and listen to me reading), so I wonder if pushing it so early is good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426809 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 21:20:36 +0000 irene 2426809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is 2 weeks shy of 4, but he's been reading for what it feels like a long time now... at least when he was 3.5 years old. Of course he is not picking up a chapter book to read all on his own, but he can really read word for word if we are reading a simple book together. He would insist on reading the story to me instead of the other way around, and if he messed up a word I'd correct him, and he'd get upset. He always amazed me with all those words that he learned from I don't know where.</p> <p>Honestly, I have no idea how he learned. He is in daycare/preschool, and they have been doing and focusing on alphabets, phonics, rhythm and rhyme. They introduced word cards a few weeks ago and the teachers were so amazed how DS recognized most of the words everytime they hold out a card. I was like, I thought you guys taught them that!</p> <p>I do read with him (well, the typical bedtime 1-3 books a night), so I guess that really helps. He really really really loves reading, spelling and writing by himself as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426803 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 21:18:12 +0000 mediagirl 2426803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They learn in K and up. Some kids may take to it earlier and start in prek or sooner. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426797 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 21:15:24 +0000 matador84 2426797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ds is reading at 3. I've given him level A's and he's def 1:1 corresponding. Reading is so developmental...I have 1st graders who will be non-readers at beginning of year and then eventually just take off when they're ready, every child is so different. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426793 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 21:08:52 +0000 yin 2426793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO started to read sight words and simple sentences last year when he was almost 4. He showed interest, and we gave him the resources. He already recognized letters and sounds at that point from watching shows and the Endless Reader app. We don't push it and let him take the lead. He prefers us to read to him but likes knowing how words are formed. </p> <p>At school they focus on letter recognition, formation, and sounds. I would expect reading to be taught in kindergarten. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426757 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 20:47:47 +0000 JerricaBenton 2426757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I learned at 4 I think, definitely before kindergarten, but language has always been my strong suit. LO shows a real interest in letters and words so I'd guess she'll be about the same.I think for most kids maybe 5? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426733 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 20:30:57 +0000 pinkcupcake 2426733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>She's starting to sound out letters to put together simple 3 letter words now. Shes turning 4 next month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426732 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 20:26:51 +0000 Mrs. Sunshine 2426732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was reading prior to entering kindergarten. And Ithink LO1 might be as well, she has a natural love for words. But she's only 2 and I would not think a single thing of it of she knew nothing about reading at all until kinder. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426725 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 20:24:22 +0000 Baby Boy Mom 2426725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here they teach it in K but this year (pre K) they've been somewhat focusing on letters and pre-reading skills. If it were up to me I would hold off for another year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426720 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 20:21:48 +0000 FaithFertility 2426720@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In my area/district there is a lot of pre reading prep done in VPK and reading/phonics skills really start up in Kindergarten!<br /> I am a first grade teacher and the range of readers is so vast at this age!</p> <p>I have some studenta that read Chapter books and some that are still sounding out CVC words such as cat! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426706 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 20:12:55 +0000 loveisstrange 2426706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO is in preschool and they work on"pre-reading" skills and stuff like letter recognition, but they are definitely not learning to read yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426703 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 20:10:54 +0000 winniebee 2426703@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bao: At my son's preschool, they do a lot of introducing reading, talking about how to read (left to right, etc) and letter recognition, and if kids are ready, they engage. His class is 3-4 year olds. But it's more commonly done in the jr. kindergarten there (age 4 + 5). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/when-do-kids-learn-to-read#post-2426698 Mon, 18 Jan 2016 20:08:52 +0000 Bao 2426698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was looking at the back of one of LO's books (one of those early readers) and it has preschool as learning to read. My LO is in preschool and they aren't learning that yet, but maybe next year in the 4's program they will? I didn't start learning to read until I was 5 and that was really basic stuff like sight words, then we got into it more in 1st grade. </p> <p>If your LO can read, how old are they? How old were you when you learned to read? </p>