Early Reading

Should You Teach Your Child to Read Before School?

Teaching kids to read before they start school can be a great idea, but it’s not without its challenges. Here are some pros and cons to help you decide what’s best for your child:

The Upsides

1. Getting a Head Start
  • Learning to read early can make starting school a bit easier. They’ll already know their way around letters, sounds, and maybe even some words!
2. Building Confidence
  • Imagine your child feeling proud and excited because they can read some words in class. It can give them a big confidence boost.
3. Bonding Time
  • Reading together can be a lovely way to spend time with your child. Whether it’s bedtime stories or fun phonics games, it’s a chance to connect.
4. Easier Learning Later On
  • If they’re comfortable with reading, it can make other subjects (like maths and science) a bit less daunting when they start school.
5. Fitting in with the School Curriculum
  • Schools in the UK focus on phonics and reading early on. A bit of practice beforehand can make the transition smoother.

The Downsides

1. It’s Not a Race
  • If a child isn’t ready, trying to teach them to read too soon might just lead to stress for both of you. Every child learns at their own pace!
2. Play is Important Too
  • Before school, kids learn a lot through play. Spending too much time on reading might take away from other fun (and important) activities.
3. Classroom Differences
  • Not all kids will know how to read when they start school. If your child already does, they might need extra challenges to keep them engaged.
4. Keeping it Fun
  • If reading feels like a chore, kids might lose interest. It’s important to make it enjoyable and not put too much pressure on them.
5. Every Child is Different
  • Some kids are ready to read before school, and some aren’t—that’s totally fine! If they’re not interested yet, that’s okay.
6. Not Always Easy for Parents
  • Teaching reading takes time and patience, and not everyone has the resources to do it. That’s nothing to feel bad about!

So, What’s the Best Approach?

If your child shows an interest in letters and words, go for it! Keep it fun, light, and playful—read stories together, sing songs, and explore phonics games. But if they’re not into it yet, don’t worry. They’ll learn plenty when they start school, and play-based learning is just as valuable at this age.

The key is to follow your child’s lead and enjoy the journey together!