Every parent with more than one child will agree that each one grows and learns uniquely. For example, one child might thrive in sports like baseball while another might have absolutely no interest in it and struggle to catch a ball. One child may start to talk sooner than their siblings, or they might be quicker to crawl, sit, walk, or ride a bicycle.

No matter which developmental milestone you’re tracking, it’s essential to recognize that every child progresses at a different pace. This is particularly true for reading. “In education, I’ve observed for over 40 years that in a room with 25 students, you can expect all 25 to progress at different speeds,” explains John Lant, the educational director at Learning Dynamics preschools located in Utah and Arizona.

When Do Kids Start Reading?

Although some children may pick up reading earlier or later than others, there are general guidelines that can be referenced. Lant notes that many kids begin to recognize and sound out letters around ages 4 and 5. This is typically when phonetic learning takes its first steps.

However, most children are around ages 6 to 7, or in first grade, when they begin to really decode sounds and blend them together to read, according to Timothy Shanahan, a distinguished professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, Chicago, and former reading director of Chicago Public Schools.

Once a child achieves this mastery, they should be reading independently and smoothly, which educational programs from the U.S. Department of Education generally suggest should occur by around age 8 or when starting third grade.

Nevertheless, some educators contend that early signs of reading difficulties can surface well before these typical milestones. Wiley Blevins, an educator and author of several reading programs, warns, “The sooner we identify and intervene for any issues, the better chance we have to address them before a child falls behind.”

Why Do Some Kids Read Sooner Than Others?

Several core factors help explain why some children develop reading skills or show an interest in reading earlier than others, aside from any learning disabilities or hindrances.

One influencing factor is the child’s innate abilities, such as intelligence, verbal skills, attention span, interests, and drive to read, according to Shanahan. “The second factor is the child’s surroundings,” he elaborates. This encompasses aspects like the availability of reading materials, quality of teaching, and effective reading programs.

Lant points out that reading programs which fail to effectively teach decoding (the process of sounding out letters) and blending those sounds tend to be less successful. He also emphasizes that many teachers do not adopt a comprehensive approach that can cater to kids with unique learning styles.

Children’s reading success is often greatly affected by their home environment, where many begin to develop a passion for reading and books, according to Becky Kennedy, a clinical psychologist, parenting expert, and author of “Good Inside.” Home is also where children can learn “frustration tolerance,” which is valuable not just in learning to read but in all academic pursuits, she adds.

This tolerance can be nurtured by allowing a child to struggle and solve problems on their own, rather than always stepping in to help, which teaches them that discomfort is a part of overcoming challenges.

When Should Parents Be Concerned About Reading Progress?

Even with the right support from parents and educators, some children may still find reading challenging. Shanahan states, “Parents should be concerned if their children aren’t making similar progress as their peers in kindergarten and first grade.” He agrees with Blevins in mentioning that early identification of significant delays can lead to interventions that prevent further setbacks.

Parents and teachers who observe signs like poor spelling, reluctance to read, or reading difficulties should recognize these as potential signals for extra help. In some instances, signs of learning disabilities, including ADHD or dyslexia, may manifest, conditions that can be diagnosed and appropriately managed with professional assistance.

For parents supporting reading at home, the goal isn’t to rush a child into reading but to cultivate a genuine interest in books and to enhance the necessary skills for reading, states Shanahan. Reading to children at a young age and displaying a personal passion for learning and reading are crucial. Additionally, he encourages fostering language development through conversation and prompting kids to elaborate on their thoughts.

Blevins similarly urges that prior to starting school, the emphasis should lie on expanding knowledge and vocabulary. Techniques may include pointing out letters and relating them to their sounds or demonstrating writing by articulating the individual sounds and corresponding letters. “These activities will foster awareness and curiosity about reading,” he advises.