I just googled “average age for kids to learn to read.”
The answer appears to vary widely, anywhere from age 3 to age 8.
I once read that the earlier a child learns to read, the greater likelihood that he or she will excel in reading and academics in the future. I’m not sure if that is supported by research or not, but it makes sense to me – especially considering that those who read earlier will be more confident and I think confidence often leads to greater success.
That being said, all kids learn at different paces and individual personalities/abilities need to be taken into account. Children learn best in playful, fun environments where they are free to laugh and make mistakes.
My husband and I definitely try to be “intentional” when it comes to teaching our almost-3-year-old to read, but we also strive to approach learning playfully. We let her curiosity and enthusiasm lead the way.
So far, these are the “tactics” we have utilized to help her get “ready to read”:
- My husband and I read to her (and to her little sister). A LOT. We read books in the morning, books at noon, and books at night. Ten books per day at the very minimum, I would say.
- We try to set a good example. I read all of the time – because I enjoy it immensely. My husband reads a fair amount on the computer and his Bible every day, but doesn’t read a lot for “pleasure.”
- We use ABC letters in the bathtub. I think that is where my daughter first started recognizing letters because we go over them every night at bath time. I think the first letter she recognized was “X.”
- We play with flashcards. We especially love the GIGANTIC flash cards that came in our Hooked on Phonics kit and the Your Baby Can Read Sliding Cards.
- We use the Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read program – daily. She always begs for “school time” and I try to say “yes” as often as I can. She enjoys coloring the letters and lining up the flash cards and making letters with her body and…putting a star sticker on the corner of the page after we finish each letter. I’ve tried to play “Memory” with her and she absolutely loves it, but she totally doesn’t get it (she just picks up all the cards until she finds two that match and then laughs happily).
The new Learn to Read kits by Hooked on Phonics come with:
- 6 storybooks
- 2 workbooks
- 2 DVDs
- 2 quick start guides
- 2 sets of stickers, and
- 2 “decks” of flash cards.
We don’t use the DVDs (we’re not big “TV people”) and the storybooks are just so-so (I think Hooked on Phonics needs to hire a new writer and illustrator), but the workbooks and flashcards and stickers are super fun.
If I were creating the kit, I would have included: 1 set of GIGANTIC flash cards (did I mention I really love those?), 1 deck of regular flash cards, a few workbooks with lots of activities (songs, crafts, games, and snacks for each letter of the alphabet), and stickers.
Overall, though, I really like the kits. And my 2-year-old agrees 100%. I didn’t ask her. I just know. After all, she does ask to do the program every single day.
Here’s a little message I’ll leave with you:
YOUR TURN: What age did your child start reading? What do you do to encourage reading in your house?
WIN IT! One winner will receive a Hooked on Phonics Learn to Read kit, $59.95-$79.95 {in grade level of winner’s choice, PreK-2nd grade}. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, August 9th at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).
*UPDATE* The winner is #49 Stacy. Congratulations!
