How Early Can Kids Learn to Read?

Science of Early Reading

Unlike speaking, a skill that human beings develop naturally, reading is a cultural practice that calls for repetition to learn. According to research, reading comprehension requires several cognitive foundational skills that enable learners to make sense of words. Topping that list is letter-sound knowledge, which is the key to understanding the relationship between written symbols and spoken sounds.

Phonemic awareness is also a prerequisite for recognizing and manipulating sounds in written words. Without it, your child will likely experience learning difficulties because they can’t decode words, spell, or even read them.

Rapid automatized naming (RAN) contributes to your child’s reading capability as well. It measures how quickly and accurately they can name things, reflecting their cognitive and linguistic prowess.

If your little one lacks these foundational skills of early literacy, reading might be an impossible task to accomplish. That’s why teaching it requires external motivators and a structured process.  Let’s break down the milestones children reach as they progress through reading development.

Ages 2-3: Foundation Building 

Children start developing the foundational skills for early literacy when they enter their toddler stage. By the time little ones turn 2, most of them have already begun to mumble common first words, such as “mom” and “dad.” 

One of the steps you can take to help your child master essential reading skills is to enroll them in Peace of Mind’s toddler care programs in Woodbury. Many parents trust our team of friendly teachers who are committed to guiding and caring for them as they learn how to read. 

Here are more tips for nurturing your child’s language abilities.

Chat with Your Little One

Talking with your little one might feel like a waste of time due to their limited ability to engage in conversation. However, frequent conversation enables them to understand how sounds form words, which is essential to reading success.

Read to Your Child

Read at least one picture book with your loved one daily and ask them simple questions as an extension activity. Research shows that it can expose them to over 75,000 words per year, enhancing their language and comprehension skills.

Ignore Speech Mistakes

The chances of your toddler mispronouncing words, like saying “gog” instead of “dog,” are high. Overlook speech mistakes like these because correcting them can discourage your child from uttering them again. Instead, respond by pronouncing the word correctly so that they can hear how it should sound.

Sing with Them

Sing lullabies, nursery rhymes, and other songs with repetitive sounds with your toddler. This enables them to recognize patterns and letters, building their pre-reading skills. You can make this easier by integrating the activity into their daily routine, such as during bathtime and dressing, to make it more fun and engaging. 

Ages 4-5: Pre-Reading Skills 

You should start nurturing pre-reading skills when your child is in preschool. Asking them to pronounce rhyming words, such as “box” and “fox,” could enhance their phonemic awareness.

Other pre-reading skills to cultivate at this age include:

• Phonology awareness: Enables your kid to understand the structure of spoken language. Consider activities like segmenting sounds and combining syllables to enhance this skill.
• Alphabet knowledge: Helps your child to identify and pronounce the letters of the alphabet.
• Print awareness: Enables the child to distinguish forms of text, such as books and street signs.

In addition to academic benefits, pre-reading skills equip your child with other handy abilities. For instance, pre-reading skills can help children become better listeners and build strong relationships with their siblings, peers, and teachers.

Pre-reading skills can improve your child’s communication abilities, too. This enables them to express their thoughts, ideas, and problems more effectively.

Ages 5-6: Beginning Reading

The average age for reading is 5 to 6 years old, although some children may take longer to understand written material. At this stage, most of them can recognize the letters of the alphabet, sound out words, or read simple sentences, which is the perfect time to inspire a passion for reading.

One way to encourage your Pre-K or kindergartner to read is by nurturing their storytelling skills. Read tales together and then encourage them to tell their friends while playing at the park or during family time at home. You can ask them to draw pictures or illustrations to make the process more enjoyable.

Consider using puppets to instill a love for reading in your child. They can make the activity more engaging and interactive. Plus, your 5-year-old will feel more comfortable speaking with the animated figure than with an adult. 

Signs Your Child Is Ready for Reading

Here are signs that your preschooler is ready:

• They can recognize various types of print, and you often catch them turning pages and pretending to read.
• They can identify letters and sing the alphabet song.
• They can name a few words starting with the same sound, such as “cat,” “cow,” “car,” and “cap.”
• They recognize words and can understand simple conversations.
• They can name familiar things in your copy of the Minnesota Star Tribune, books, magazines, or pictures.
• They can tell comprehensible stories.
• They are curious about words and letters when they see them on signs or labels.

Accelerate Your Child’s Literacy at Peace of Mind Daycare 

At Peace of Mind Daycare, we believe that every child in Woodbury deserves an opportunity to develop their literacy skills. That’s why we provide an engaging and nurturing environment to pique your little one’s interest in books. Ready to start your child’s literacy journey? Contact us today, and let’s show you how we can make that happen.