How Early Can Kids Learn to Read? Unlocking Your Child's Literacy Journey

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Beyond the ABCs: Understanding Early Literacy Development
3. The Foundational Building Blocks: Pre-Reading Skills
4. When Do Kids Show Reading Readiness? Key Milestones by Age
5. Nurturing a Love for Reading: Practical Strategies for Parents
6. When to Seek Support: Identifying Reading Challenges
7. Empowering Communication with Speech Blubs: Our Commitment to Your Child
8. Conclusion
9. FAQ

Many parents eagerly anticipate the magical moment their child picks up a book and begins to decipher its pages. It’s a milestone that marks a significant leap in a child’s development, opening up a world of knowledge, imagination, and independence. But how early can kids truly learn to read, and what exactly does that “learning” entail? The truth is, literacy isn’t a sudden switch that flips on at a specific age; it’s a rich, complex journey that begins far earlier than most of us imagine, intertwining deeply with a child’s overall language and cognitive development.

This comprehensive guide will explore the fascinating world of early literacy, from the foundational skills babies develop to the exciting reading benchmarks of elementary school. We’ll demystify common misconceptions, highlight the crucial pre-reading abilities that pave the way for reading success, and provide actionable, fun strategies you can implement at home. We’ll also discuss when to consider seeking additional support and how “smart screen time” experiences, like those offered by Speech Blubs, can play a vital role in fostering communication skills essential for reading. Our aim is to equip you with the knowledge and tools to nurture a lifelong love for reading in your child, making their literacy journey joyful and empowering.

Introduction

Picture a young child, captivated by a storybook, pointing to pictures, or mimicking sounds. This isn’t just entertainment; it’s the very beginning of a remarkable journey toward reading. While formal reading instruction typically begins in kindergarten or first grade, the seeds of literacy are sown much earlier. Research consistently shows that the first five years of a child’s life are a critical window for brain development, particularly for language acquisition, which forms the bedrock of reading ability. Many parents wonder if they can give their child a head start, or if pushing reading too early might be detrimental. The good news is that you can actively support your child’s pre-reading and early reading skills in engaging ways, fostering curiosity and confidence without undue pressure.

This article will delve into the science behind early literacy, breaking down the stages of reading development from infancy through elementary school. We’ll explore key pre-reading skills like phonological awareness, alphabet knowledge, and print awareness, explaining why each is vital. More importantly, we’ll provide practical, everyday tips and activities for parents and caregivers to integrate into their routines. We’ll also highlight how innovative tools, like our Speech Blubs app, offer a unique “smart screen time” experience that supports foundational communication skills, laying a strong groundwork for reading success. Our central message is that by understanding the developmental stages and engaging proactively, you can empower your child to embrace reading at their own pace, transforming potential frustration into a delightful discovery.

Beyond the ABCs: Understanding Early Literacy Development

The journey to becoming a fluent reader is often perceived as starting with the alphabet, but it’s much more nuanced. Before children can even begin to recognize letters, they are already developing a myriad of skills that prepare their brains for the complex task of reading. This developmental process is not linear, nor is it the same for every child. Instead, it’s a rich tapestry woven from diverse experiences, interactions, and inherent abilities.

The Myth of a Single “Reading Age”

One of the most common misconceptions is that there’s a specific age when all children “should” learn to read. While most children are expected to read fluently by age 6 or 7 (first grade), some children show signs of reading readiness as early as 3 or 4, while others may take a bit longer. This variation is perfectly normal and can depend on a multitude of factors, including cognitive development, exposure to books and language, and family engagement. The critical point is not when a child learns to read, but how they are supported throughout their unique developmental trajectory. Pushing a child before they are ready can lead to frustration and disinterest, while nurturing their readiness can build a strong, positive relationship with reading.

Reading as a Continuum: From Birth to Fluent Reading

Learning to read is not a single event, but a continuum of developing skills. It starts with a baby’s first babbling, continues through a toddler’s exploration of picture books, deepens with a preschooler’s recognition of letters, and flourishes as an elementary student decodes complex sentences. Each stage builds upon the last, reinforcing the idea that early exposure and a language-rich environment are paramount. The earliest experiences with language and books lay the groundwork for later success, fostering curiosity and a positive association with reading long before formal instruction begins.

The Critical Window: Brain Development 0-5

The period from birth to age five is often referred to as a “critical window” for brain development. During these formative years, a child’s brain develops more rapidly than at any other time, forming countless neural connections that support language, cognitive, and social-emotional growth. This rapid development makes early childhood an incredibly impactful time for building foundational literacy skills. Exposure to spoken language, rich vocabulary, and the rhythm of stories stimulates brain activity, enhancing a child’s ability to process sounds, understand meaning, and eventually, “crack the code” of written language. This is why initiatives like reading aloud to infants are so powerful—they literally help build the brain architecture necessary for reading. At Speech Blubs, we understand the immense power of these early years. Our mission is to empower children to “speak their minds and hearts” by providing engaging, scientifically-backed tools that support this critical developmental phase.

The Foundational Building Blocks: Pre-Reading Skills

Before a child can read independently, they need to master several crucial pre-reading skills, often called “emergent literacy skills.” These are the building blocks that make reading possible and enjoyable. Think of them as the ingredients needed to bake a cake – you can’t have the final product without them.

Phonological Awareness

This is the most crucial pre-reading skill, referring to a child’s understanding of the sound structure of spoken language. It’s the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate the individual sounds in words. This doesn’t involve letters yet, but focuses purely on auditory skills.

• Rhyming: Recognizing and producing words that rhyme (e.g., cat, hat, mat).
• Alliteration: Identifying words that start with the same sound (e.g., “bouncing baby bears”).
• Syllabification: Breaking words into syllables (e.g., “but-ter-fly”).
• Sentence Segmentation: Dividing sentences into individual words.

Games that involve singing nursery rhymes, clapping out syllables in names, or identifying rhyming words are excellent for developing phonological awareness.

Phonemic Awareness

A subset of phonological awareness, phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) within words. This is more refined than phonological awareness and is a strong predictor of reading success.

• Sound Isolation: Identifying the first, middle, or last sound in a word (e.g., “What’s the first sound in ‘dog’? /d/”).
• Sound Blending: Combining individual sounds to form a word (e.g., “/c/ /a/ /t/ makes ‘cat'”).
• Sound Segmentation: Breaking a word into its individual sounds (e.g., “What sounds do you hear in ‘sun’? /s/ /u/ /n/”).
• Sound Manipulation: Adding, deleting, or substituting sounds in words.

For children who are just starting to grasp these concepts, Speech Blubs offers engaging activities that promote sound awareness. Our Alphabet Practice section, for instance, uses interactive video modeling where children watch and imitate their peers making sounds, effectively strengthening their understanding of phonemes in a playful, low-pressure environment.

Alphabet Knowledge

This involves knowing the names of the letters of the alphabet (A-Z) and recognizing their shapes (both uppercase and lowercase). Crucially, it also includes understanding that each letter (or combination of letters) represents a specific sound or sounds.

• Letter Recognition: Identifying the visual form of letters.
• Letter Naming: Stating the name of a given letter.
• Letter-Sound Correspondence (Phonics): Associating letters with the sounds they make (e.g., ‘A’ makes the /a/ sound, ‘B’ makes the /b/ sound).

Teaching letter names and sounds can be done through songs, flashcards, or simply pointing out letters in books and the environment.

Print Awareness

Print awareness is a child’s understanding of how print works and its purpose. It’s about knowing that print carries meaning and understanding the conventions of written language.

• Understanding what a book is: Knowing about the cover, title, author, and how to hold it.
• Directionality: Knowing that print is read from left to right, top to bottom.
• Concept of a word: Understanding that words are separated by spaces.
• Print in the environment: Recognizing words on signs, labels, and menus.

Engaging with books daily, pointing to words as you read, and discussing print in the world around you are simple yet powerful ways to foster print awareness.

Vocabulary and Language Comprehension

A strong vocabulary is fundamental to reading comprehension. The more words a child understands when spoken, the more words they will recognize and comprehend when encountered in print. Language comprehension involves understanding the meaning of stories, following instructions, and making sense of spoken language.

Reading aloud to children exposes them to a vast array of words and sentence structures they might not hear in everyday conversation. This builds their receptive vocabulary (words they understand) and eventually their expressive vocabulary (words they use). Our app provides a rich environment for vocabulary expansion through various categories and themes, like our “Animal Kingdom” or “Yummy Time” sections, where children learn new words by hearing and seeing them modeled by their peers, making learning both effective and joyful.

Communication Skills: Speaking and Listening

At Speech Blubs, we fundamentally believe that strong communication skills are the bedrock of all learning, including reading. Before children can decode written words, they must first master the sounds and structures of spoken language. They need to be able to listen attentively, follow directions, express their thoughts, and understand the nuances of conversation. These skills are critical for making sense of stories and connecting written words to their spoken counterparts.

Our company was born from the personal experiences of our founders, who all grew up with speech problems and created the tool they wished they had. We are committed to providing an immediate, effective, and joyful solution for the 1 in 4 children who need speech support. Our app’s unique “video modeling” methodology, where children learn by watching and imitating their peers, is scientifically proven to activate mirror neurons, helping children develop clearer articulation, expand their vocabulary, and improve their ability to understand and use language. These are not just speech skills; they are vital pre-reading skills that empower children to “speak their minds and hearts.”

When Do Kids Show Reading Readiness? Key Milestones by Age

Understanding the general developmental benchmarks can help parents know what to look for and how to support their child’s literacy journey. Remember, these are guidelines, not strict deadlines. Every child’s path is unique!

Babies (Under 1 Year Old)

Even before they can sit up, babies are absorbing language and developing pre-literacy skills.

• Exploration of books: Chewing on board books, looking at colorful illustrations.
• Responding to sounds: Cooing, gurgling, and making noises in response to your voice and stories.
• Bonding: Enjoying the warmth and closeness of being read to.

How you can help: Read aloud daily, even for just a few minutes. Choose high-contrast, durable board books. Narrate your actions throughout the day, describing what you see and do. This continuous language exposure is invaluable.

Toddlers (1-2 Years Old)

Toddlers experience an explosion of language, which directly fuels their pre-reading development.

• Expanding vocabulary: Using single words, then two-word phrases.
• Pointing to pictures: Identifying familiar objects or characters in books.
• Imitating sounds and words: Mimicking animal sounds or simple words from stories.
• “Pretending” to read: Flipping pages, babbling a story, holding a book correctly.
• Developing print awareness: Showing interest when you run your finger along the text, understanding that words are important.

How you can help: Point to illustrations and ask “What’s that?” Read books with repetition and rhymes. Let them turn pages (even if it’s multiple at a time) to develop motor skills and connect with the physical act of reading. Continue to talk, sing, and engage in back-and-forth communication. Our app features a variety of sounds and words in categories like “Early Sounds” or “Guess What,” which are perfect for encouraging imitation and vocabulary growth in toddlers through engaging peer-to-peer video modeling.

Preschoolers (3-4 Years Old)

Preschool is a significant period for developing foundational literacy skills, as children become more sophisticated in their understanding of language and print.

• Storytelling abilities: Retelling familiar stories in basic terms, creating their own narratives.
• Letter recognition: Starting to identify some uppercase and lowercase letters.
• Beginning phonological awareness: Recognizing rhymes, clapping out syllables in names.
• Print awareness: Understanding the parts of a book (cover, title), knowing print is read left-to-right.
• Interest in books and reading: Asking to be read to, showing curiosity about words.

How you can help: Play rhyming games. Sing the alphabet song. Point out letters on signs, cereal boxes, and books. For a parent whose 3-year-old is a “late talker” and loves animals, the “Animal Kingdom” section within Speech Blubs offers a fun, motivating way to practice “moo” and “baa” sounds, enhancing both vocabulary and phonological awareness. You can explore a world of engaging content by downloading Speech Blubs on the App Store or the Google Play Store.

Kindergarteners (5-6 Years Old)

This is often when formal reading instruction begins in school, focusing heavily on phonics and decoding.

• Advanced phonological awareness: Blending sounds to make words (e.g., /d/ /o/ /g/ = “dog”), segmenting words into sounds.
• Letter-sound correspondence: Knowing the sounds most letters make.
• Sight word recognition: Learning to recognize common words instantly without sounding them out (e.g., “the,” “is,” “and”).
• Early decoding: Sounding out simple CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words like “cat” or “sun.”
• Summarizing: Recalling key events from a story.

How you can help: Continue reading aloud and discussing stories. Play “I Spy” with letter sounds. Encourage them to sound out simple words they see. Support their school’s phonics-based approach.

Young Elementary (6-7 Years Old)

Around this age, many children transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”

• Reading fluency: Reading with appropriate speed, accuracy, and expression.
• Advanced phonics: Understanding vowel teams (ea, oi), digraphs (sh, ch, th), and silent “e.”
• Reading comprehension: Answering questions about texts, making predictions, identifying main ideas.
• Expanding vocabulary: Learning new words through reading.

How you can help: Encourage independent reading of books they enjoy. Discuss unfamiliar words. Ask “big picture questions” about stories to promote critical thinking. Our Speech Blubs app, developed with a scientific methodology that places it in the top tier of speech apps worldwide (as detailed on our research page), supports core communication skills that are essential during this transition, ensuring children have the vocabulary and comprehension foundation to thrive.

Older Elementary (8-10 Years Old)

At this stage, reading becomes a tool for exploring interests and acquiring knowledge across various subjects.

• Critical reading: Analyzing texts, drawing conclusions, understanding different genres.
• Independent reading for pleasure: Choosing books based on personal interest.
• Reading across subjects: Using reading to learn science, history, and other topics.
• Vocabulary mastery: Understanding complex words and their nuances.

How you can help: Provide access to a wide range of books, both fiction and non-fiction. Discuss current events or topics of interest and encourage them to read about them. Model reading as a leisure activity. Allow them choice in reading materials, fostering that intrinsic love of learning.

Nurturing a Love for Reading: Practical Strategies for Parents

Fostering a love for reading is one of the greatest gifts you can give your child. It’s about making reading an enjoyable, natural part of daily life, rather than a chore.

Reading Aloud Regularly

This is arguably the single most impactful thing you can do. From infancy through elementary school, reading aloud exposes children to rich vocabulary, complex sentence structures, and the rhythm of language. It also creates a special bonding experience.

• Make it a routine: Bedtime stories are classic, but any consistent time works.
• Engage actively: Point to pictures, ask questions (“What do you think will happen next?”), and use different voices for characters.
• Choose diverse books: Introduce various genres, cultures, and topics.

Making Reading Fun and Interactive

Learning should always be a joyful experience. When reading is fun, children are more motivated to engage.

• Library trips: Make going to the library an exciting outing, letting your child choose books that genuinely interest them.
• Literacy games: Play games that involve letters, sounds, and words. Think “I Spy” with letters or creating silly rhymes.
• Puppets and dramatic play: Act out stories together using puppets or toys.

Pointing Out Print in the Environment

The world is full of text! Help your child become aware of print everywhere they go.

• Street signs: “Look, that sign says ‘STOP’!”
• Grocery store labels: “Can you find the letter ‘M’ on the milk carton?”
• Restaurant menus: Read the menu items together, even if they can’t read independently yet.

Encouraging Choice and Interest-Based Reading

Children are more likely to engage with reading when they feel a sense of ownership and interest in the material.

• Let them choose: Allow your child to select books, even if they’re not what you would pick. If they love dinosaurs, find dinosaur books! If it’s superheroes, embrace it.
• Follow their passions: Provide books related to their hobbies, favorite animals, or current fascinations. This connects reading to their personal world, making it meaningful.

Modeling Reading Behavior

Children learn by observing the adults around them. When they see you reading for pleasure, they learn that reading is a valuable and enjoyable activity.

• Read yourself: Let your child see you reading books, magazines, or newspapers.
• Talk about what you’re reading: Share interesting facts or stories from your own reading.
• Create a reading nook: Designate a cozy spot in your home with comfortable seating and accessible books.

The Power of “Smart Screen Time”: How Speech Blubs Helps

In today’s digital age, parents often grapple with the role of screens. At Speech Blubs, we believe in “smart screen time”—screen time that is purposeful, educational, and interactive, transforming passive viewing into an active learning experience. Our unique app is a powerful tool for family connection, offering a screen-free alternative to passive viewing (like cartoons) through our innovative video modeling methodology.

For example, consider a child who is struggling with phonological awareness—the ability to identify and manipulate sounds. Our app features a variety of categories, like “Sounds” and “Words,” where children watch short videos of their peers articulating sounds and words. This peer imitation, backed by the science of mirror neurons, makes learning complex communication skills feel like play. Children aren’t just watching; they are actively engaging, imitating, and internalizing. This direct modeling helps them build crucial auditory discrimination skills and sound-to-mouth movements, which are direct precursors to decoding written words.

Our app is meticulously designed to blend scientific principles with play, ensuring that every interaction is educational and joyful. We empower children to “speak their minds and hearts,” and by doing so, we lay a strong foundation for their literacy journey. To experience the difference, we invite you to create your account and begin your 7-day free trial today and explore the hundreds of activities tailored to support early language and pre-reading skills.

When to Seek Support: Identifying Reading Challenges

While every child develops at their own pace, it’s important for parents to be aware of potential red flags that might indicate a need for additional support. Early intervention can make a significant difference in a child’s literacy journey.

Signs of Potential Difficulty

If you notice several of these signs persistently, it might be worth discussing your concerns with a professional:

• Persistent difficulty with letter-sound relationships: Struggling significantly more than peers to learn and retain the sounds associated with letters, even with consistent practice.
• Challenges with decoding: Having trouble sounding out simple words, or struggling to blend sounds together.
• Limited phonological awareness: Difficulty with rhyming, segmenting words into syllables, or identifying initial sounds in words past the typical age.
• Poor vocabulary and language comprehension: A noticeably smaller vocabulary than peers, or difficulty understanding stories read aloud.
• Avoidance of reading activities: Consistently showing frustration or disinterest in books, even when attempts are made to make it fun.
• Family history of reading difficulties: If there’s a history of dyslexia or other reading challenges in the family, it’s wise to be more vigilant.

The “Reading to Learn” Shift in Third Grade

A critical benchmark in a child’s educational journey occurs around third grade (age 8-9). Up until this point, children are primarily “learning to read.” After third grade, the expectation shifts, and they are primarily “reading to learn.” This means that reading proficiency becomes essential for success across all subjects – science, history, math word problems, etc. Children who haven’t mastered foundational reading skills by this age can quickly fall behind academically, making it harder to catch up.

Consulting Teachers and Professionals

If you have concerns about your child’s reading development, the first step is always to speak with their teacher. They spend significant time observing your child in a learning environment and can provide valuable insights. If concerns persist, they may recommend a consultation with a school psychologist, a speech-language pathologist, or an educational specialist. These professionals can conduct assessments to identify specific areas of difficulty and recommend targeted interventions.

Early literacy instruction is an essential factor in a child’s literacy journey. At Speech Blubs, we understand that sometimes, children need a little extra support to build those foundational communication skills that directly impact reading. Our app is designed to complement professional therapy and early education, providing engaging practice that strengthens speech and language. Unsure if your child could benefit? Take our quick 3-minute preliminary screener to get a simple assessment and a personalized next-steps plan, along with a free 7-day trial.

Empowering Communication with Speech Blubs: Our Commitment to Your Child

At Speech Blubs, our mission extends beyond just helping children speak; we empower them to “speak their minds and hearts.” We believe every child deserves the opportunity to communicate effectively, build confidence, and connect with the world around them. Our company was born from the personal experiences of our founders, who all grew up with speech problems and recognized the need for an accessible, engaging, and effective solution. They created the tool they wished they had – a playful, scientifically-backed app that makes speech development a joyous journey.

We are committed to providing an immediate, effective, and joyful solution for the 1 in 4 children who need speech support. Our approach blends scientific principles with play into one-of-a-kind “smart screen time” experiences. Instead of passive viewing, we offer an interactive and engaging alternative, a powerful tool for family connection that encourages active participation. Our unique “video modeling” methodology is at the heart of our success, where children learn by watching and imitating their peers. This natural way of learning activates mirror neurons, making the process intuitive and highly effective for developing complex communication skills, which are crucial for later reading success.

When you consider joining the Speech Blubs family, we want to be fully transparent about our offerings and ensure you get the best value. We offer two primary subscription plans:

• Monthly Plan: Priced at $14.99 per month. This plan provides access to the core Speech Blubs app.
• Yearly Plan: Available for $59.99 per year. This plan offers significantly superior value, breaking down to just $4.99 per month.

The Yearly plan is clearly the best choice for your child’s continuous development. It allows you to save 66% compared to the monthly option, making long-term support more affordable. Beyond the cost savings, the Yearly plan includes exclusive, high-value features designed to maximize your child’s progress:

• A 7-day free trial: Giving you ample time to explore the app’s full potential and see the positive impact on your child.
• The extra Reading Blubs app: An invaluable bonus that further supports your child’s journey from language development to reading fluency.
• Early access to new updates: Ensuring your child always benefits from the latest features and content.
• 24-hour support response time: Providing peace of mind that help is always quickly available when you need it.

The Monthly plan, while an option, does not include these incredible benefits. We encourage you to choose the Yearly plan to unlock the full suite of features, including the free trial and the Reading Blubs app, and empower your child’s communication and literacy journey with the best tools we have to offer. See what other parents are saying about their children’s successes with Speech Blubs.

Conclusion

The question of “how early can kids learn to read” is best answered by understanding that reading is not a singular skill acquired overnight, but a beautiful, developmental continuum built upon a foundation of rich language experiences. From the moment they are born, children are soaking up sounds, words, and rhythms, all of which contribute to their eventual ability to read. By understanding the key pre-reading skills—phonological and phonemic awareness, alphabet knowledge, print awareness, and strong vocabulary—parents and caregivers can actively and joyfully nurture their child’s literacy journey.

The most powerful strategies involve consistent reading aloud, making reading a fun and interactive part of daily life, pointing out print in the environment, encouraging choice in reading materials, and modeling reading as a leisure activity. Remember, the goal is to foster a love for communication and learning, building confidence and reducing frustration, rather than pushing for premature milestones. Every interaction, every story, every shared moment contributes to a child’s readiness to “crack the code” of reading.

In this exciting journey, Speech Blubs is proud to be a supportive partner. Our commitment to “smart screen time” offers a unique, scientifically-backed approach that complements your efforts, using engaging peer-to-peer video modeling to build essential speech and language skills. These foundational communication abilities are not just about talking; they are the bedrock upon which successful reading is built.

Don’t wait to ignite your child’s love for language and reading. Empower their journey today. We strongly encourage you to experience the full benefits of our app by choosing the Yearly plan. This not only offers incredible savings but also includes a 7-day free trial and the Reading Blubs app, along with early access to new features and dedicated support. Ready to get started? Create your account and begin your 7-day free trial today and select the Yearly plan to unlock a world of learning and connection for your child.

FAQ

Q1: Is it possible for a child to learn to read before kindergarten?

A1: Yes, it is certainly possible for some children to begin reading before kindergarten. Some children show signs of reading readiness and even begin decoding simple words as early as ages 3 or 4. This often occurs when children have been consistently exposed to a language-rich environment, including regular reading aloud, playing with letters and sounds, and high family engagement. However, it’s important to remember that every child develops at their own pace, and the focus should be on nurturing readiness rather than pushing for early milestones, which can lead to frustration.

Q2: What’s the most important skill for a child to develop before they start reading?

A2: Phonological awareness is widely considered the most important pre-reading skill. This refers to a child’s ability to hear, identify, and manipulate the individual sounds in spoken language. It includes skills like recognizing rhymes, clapping out syllables, and identifying words that start with the same sound. Without a strong grasp of phonological awareness, it’s much harder for a child to understand how letters connect to sounds (phonics), which is fundamental to decoding written words. Engaging in activities like singing nursery rhymes and playing sound games can significantly boost this crucial skill.

Q3: How much screen time is appropriate for teaching early reading skills?

A3: When it comes to learning to read, not all screen time is created equal. Passive screen time, like watching cartoons, offers limited educational benefit. However, “smart screen time” that is interactive, educational, and engaging can be beneficial. Apps like Speech Blubs provide active learning experiences through video modeling and peer imitation, which support foundational language skills essential for reading. We recommend adult co-play and support during app usage to maximize learning and interaction. The key is quality over quantity, ensuring screen time is balanced with other activities like reading physical books, outdoor play, and social interaction.

Q4: When should I be concerned about my child’s reading development and seek professional help?

A4: While children develop at different rates, it’s wise to consult with your child’s teacher or pediatrician if you notice persistent difficulties beyond what is typical for their age. Signs of concern might include significant trouble retaining letter-sound relationships, struggling to sound out simple words, noticeable difficulty with rhyming or other sound-based games, or a consistent avoidance of books and reading activities. Early intervention is key, especially as children approach third grade, when the focus shifts from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” Our preliminary screener can offer an initial assessment and guide you on next steps if you have concerns.