I wasnt aware that it was a thing to have them reading for school.
My eldest was reading at age 3 but thats because for those first 3 years she was the only child and I had a lot of time to spend with just her. We would read books and play games such as junior scrabble so was spelling words such as Elephant at age 3. My other two didnt learnt o read until they were at school.

Books have always been a big part of our children’s lives

I had my kids looking at and interested in books before kindergarten, but I didn’t really push them to learn to read

My eldest had the basics down before starting school but he learnt what he needed to very quickly once he started. I think instilling a love of literacy and learning is the most important first step; read to kids as much as possible and show them you are a reader too.

My first born had minimal reading and writing skills, he could nearly write his name. My second born used to sit with my first born when he was practicing his readin and writing, after starting school, so she had a bit more learnt before she started. I always read to them, but didn’t really push them to read or write before school. I think it’s handy if they can, but as this article states, you could create a negativity toward learning

As a preschool teacher, and a mum, I totally agree with Crystal. Too many parents are focused on trying to make their child ‘smarter’ than their peers. I believe it is far more important to read to your child every night from when they are a toddler; talk to your child and encourage conversation to build up their communication skills; encourage independence and confidence in what they are doing; and to learn as they play. Then they will be ready to learn how to read when they start school.

I didn’t teach my kids to read before gping to school but we read a book together every night before bed time and they would follow the words as I read and start3d yo recognise words.

I don’t know if I agree with this, I think the child will struggle when it comes to kindy if they can’t read a little at least?

My bubs only 12 weeks and I already read to him, I think that is what’s made him say his first word already (mum) when he’s ready and shows interest in wanting to read himself I will help him until then let kids be kids

I just read to my daughter and she was intrigued by the pictures and story.

I read to my boys while they looked at the pictures but I never taught them to read. I would only have done that if they asked me to teach them.

You can teach them to love books and reading without actually teaching them to read.

I didn’t teach but I did read to them because my youngest loves his books

It’s good reading

Kids will naturally start picking up these skills as a result of their parents reading them books and getting them interested in reading. Too many pushy parents out there (a teachers nightmare…so time consuming)

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  • • Ellen replied
    • 27 Dec 2019 , 9:32 am

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  I agree

It’s really not necessary. It feels that everyone wants their child to be able to manage all the school skills, before they start school. We read with our son, always, and he loved letters and numbers and learning new things, but we did not ensure he was able to read, write, and do all those things that you’re at school to learn. He had no issues at school and was ready to learn. I’m shocked now at parents checking their babies into Montessori and all sorts of formal learning before they start school. They’re young kids for such a short time… they need to enjoy it before the 13 years of schooling they’re about to experience.

I taught my kids to read when they were interested in books

Kids show us when they are ready.

Anything to make kinder and school easier for my child. One less thing for them to stress about finding difficult

I did, because I thought the sooner the better, but once he did kinder I realized he would be bored at prep so decided to homeschool and never regretted it because he became an excellent reader and was reading text books about what he was interested in a lot sooner than other kids.