How old does a child have to be to read?

Question

How old does a child have to be before they could possibly understand the concept of reading?

Answer 1

reading books or reading just words i know my mom started teaching my little brother how to read certain words when he was 2 and i remember being in the library book club when i was 4 for reading simple books and understanding them and i know that out of all the books she has my daughter loves me to read to her from her mother goose book and she is 3

Answer 2

Understanding the concept of reading isn't the problem, it's being able to do it. Like kids understand the concept of walking and talking before they do it, but just have to pratice to get good at it. It's the same with reading, having someone teach them the letters and the sounds is the only way they'll begin to understand....... Some kids learn to read in kindergarten, but to me that seems kinda late.............I was reading about two years before i started kindergarten. Kids are way smarter than most people give them credit for. Just sit down with the child when they seem bored or something and start teaching them the letters and sounds. You could even buy "Hooked on Phonix" , It is a great way to teach reading.

Answer 3

Each child is different. I have had three year olds who could read words and understand what they are reading. I have had five year olds who don't know their letters. My own three children read at different times in their life. One was a preschooler, another first grade and another I wasn't sure they would ever read. All read of course and all went to college on academic scholarships. Not sure if this answers your question but hope it helps.

Answer 4

I had a friend whose son learned to read by watching Sesame Street when he was a little over two years old (word recognition).

At three, he could sound out many words, such as names of cars, things on billboards.. my friend thought he had a wonderful memory and knew all makes and models of cars, until she figured out that he knew what a "buick" was because he could read the word.

I think that many children in Japan can read by the time they are four? Don't quote me on that, but it's young.

Answer 5

It just depends on the child, and your interaction with it. I know I was reading basic things by three; and before four could read a simple book by myself. Three Billy Goats Gruff, first one read alone, I still have it. I'm pregnant so its for my baby. :]
just start out young, children learn to recognize with repetition.

Answer 6

It varies. I read very early - two or three I think. I also spoke at seven months. Some children won't understand it at that age, but it's good to start teaching letters and sounds once they start speaking because they're just learning the concept of language at that point.

Answer 7

it varies on the amount of exposure the child has to literature in his or her earlier years, some children can read and write there names and possibly other simple names or words at age 3, my sister is six and she can read quite well she began learning at 3 so did i. read to the child more often to improve results.

Answer 8

That depends upon the child. My daughter was reading and understanding what she read when she was three.

Answer 9

Usually around six. However lots of kids are reading some words by four and five.
My son learned to read fully by the time he was four. However it was also the case with both my husband and me - both read by four years old.

Answer 10

i think all children are individuals my first born was 4 when he
started with words such as bin tall bat and ball however my
second son has no interest what so ever he is now 4