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It’s Totally Normal If Your Kindergartner Isn’t Reading Independently
by Sarah W. Thompson
April 26, 2023
“Help! My child can’t read yet, and kindergarten is starting soon! Does this mean they’ll be behind forever?” I’ve heard this worried cry from countless parents during my time as a youth services librarian. Each time, I’d calmly reassure them, “Don’t panic! There’s a wide range of ages at which children learn to read, and it can span several years.”
Sadly, that advice often fails to ease their anxiety. With kindergarten now resembling what second grade used to be, it seems like you’re expected to have a mini literary genius by age six. “What do you mean your 6-year-old hasn’t tackled the entire Harry Potter series yet? Have you just been doing arts and crafts?” Oh, how times have changed! Kids today are expected to have ditched picture books and be diving into 300-page novels by first grade, or else their college dreams are toast.
But research tells a different story. Parents can take a collective sigh of relief: when children learn to read—whether it’s at 4 or 7—doesn’t significantly impact their love for reading or their academic success. Many factors influence when a child becomes literate, and the cognitive processes behind literacy formation are still not fully understood. It’s baffling that we expect all kids to hit this milestone at the same age. Just think about other childhood milestones—potty training can happen anywhere between 22 months and 3.5 years, and kids learn to ride bikes at ages 4 or 9. So why should reading be any different?
Education expert Jamie Collins echoes this sentiment in her article “What Modern Society Forgets About Learning,” where she points out that reading involves a complex blend of cognitive, visual, auditory, emotional, physical, and social skills. And yet, we’ve built a multi-billion-dollar educational system around the misguided notion that all children should hit this target at the same time.
Many educators and librarians agree that kids learn to read at different rates, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching reading. Phonics isn’t the magic bullet for every child. Furthermore, growing up in the digital age has transformed what “literacy” means, expanding it beyond just reading print to include navigating computers and tablets. Ironically, kids often learn to use technology in much the same way they learn to read—flexibly and at their own pace.
Children who start reading later often experience rapid improvements, moving from ‘behind’ to ‘ahead’ of their peers in just months. By their teenage years, many find themselves reading at or above grade level. Collins emphasizes that the age at which a child begins reading doesn’t predict their overall intellectual potential or future achievements. Late readers can still possess high levels of intelligence and even a passion for literature.
As a parent, one of the best things you can do is model a love for reading at home. Allow your children to cultivate their own desire to read, as highly motivated kids often transform from non-readers to bookworms almost overnight. Forcing them to read before they’re ready can backfire, so it’s vital to help them see the joy in reading and understand that there’s no set path for everyone.
And if your 7-year-old is still grappling with reading and seems to lag behind their classmates, remember this: Finland ranks among the highest in global reading scores—and they don’t even start formal reading instruction until age 7. Research indicates that children who learn to read later often show better comprehension and enjoyment than those who start earlier. So, take a deep breath! Keep your home stocked with books, read aloud to your little ones, and most importantly, let kindergarten be kindergarten—not an advanced literature class.
If you’re genuinely concerned, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher for guidance. They’ll be more than happy to provide feedback and resources.
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