As a parent of a soon-to-be kindergartner, you might be anxious if your child isn’t reading yet. You may think, “My child is starting kindergarten this fall and can’t read! They’ll be behind from the start and struggle with reading forever, right?” I heard this from many worried parents during my time as a youth services librarian, and I always reassured them, “That’s not the case. There’s a broad range of time in which children become literate, and that can differ by years.”
Sadly, this reassurance often doesn’t ease parental worries. Kindergarten expectations seem to have shifted dramatically, with many expecting children to read complex novels before they even reach first grade. Parents may feel pressure when they hear, “Your 6-year-old hasn’t read the entire Harry Potter series yet? What have you been doing — just coloring and learning shapes?”
While children used to enter kindergarten ready to learn reading skills, now many are expected to have already outgrown picture books. However, educational research presents a different reality. Parents of late readers can breathe a sigh of relief; the age at which your child learns to read—whether it’s at 4 or 7—has little impact on their eventual love for reading or success in school.
Numerous factors influence when a child becomes literate, and much about the cognitive processes involved remains unclear. It’s perplexing that we assume all children should learn to read at the same age when they hit other milestones at varying times. For instance, some toddlers can potty train at 22 months while others take until they’re 3 1/2 years old. The same goes for learning to ride a bike — some master it at 4, while others need until they’re 9. So why should reading be any different?
Education columnist Jamie Fields highlights this variance in her article, stating, “Reading is influenced by a variety of complex cognitive, visual, auditory, emotional, physical, and social factors that must mature for literacy to develop.” Yet, society has created a multi-billion-dollar system based on the expectation that children should achieve reading milestones at the same time.
Fields, alongside many educational experts, agrees that children learn to read at their own pace, and there is no universal method that works for everyone. Additionally, growing up in a digital age has reshaped our understanding of literacy to encompass not just reading print but also navigating computers and tablets. Interestingly, young kids often learn to use technology in the same flexible and individualized way they learn to read.
It’s common for children who start reading later to quickly catch up and even surpass their peers within months. By the time they reach their teenage years, most are reading at or above grade level. Fields emphasizes that the age at which a child begins reading does not determine their intellectual capabilities or future achievements. Many late readers display high levels of intelligence and even a deep appreciation for literature.
As a parent, one of the best things you can do to foster a love of reading is to model it yourself. Encourage your child to develop an intrinsic desire to read, as motivated children often transition from non-readers to competent readers almost overnight. Forcing them to read before they’re developmentally prepared can hinder their progress, so it’s vital to allow them to find personal value in reading and understand that there’s no set path for learning to read.
If your 7-year-old is still struggling and seems behind their classmates, keep in mind that Finland, which has some of the highest reading scores globally, doesn’t start formal reading instruction until age 7. Research shows that children who learn to read later may achieve better comprehension and enjoyment than those taught earlier. So, take a breath! Keep a variety of books in your home, read aloud to your little ones, and remember that kindergarten should remain a place for exploration and joy, not a rigorous academic program.
If you have genuine concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher. They will be glad to provide feedback and resources if needed.
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In summary, it’s essential to remember that every child learns at their own pace. Whether your kindergartner is reading independently or not, the focus should be on fostering a love for reading in a stress-free environment.