Reading Skills by Age

Reading BrightStart! Screener

Take the Screener

Is your 3-, 4- or 5-year-old child on track to read? Find out now.

Your child’s earliest years are key for developing a solid foundation (and love) for reading. One way you can help: learn more about your child’s reading readiness skills. The more you know, the better you can help your child prepare for reading success. Keep in mind that kids develop at their own pace and on their own timetables. Talk to your child’s doctor or teacher if you have any concerns.

If your child is 3, 4 or 5 years old, take the Preschool Reading Screener. It's free and easy and offers an instant snapshot of your child's reading readiness, plus a plan for moving forward.

Mother sitting on the couch reading to her infant.

Birth to 5 Months

Begins smiling
Coos and begins to babble
Turns toward sounds and voices
Starts paying attention to faces

A father snuggled up with his infant child while they read together.

6–11 Months

Enjoys large clear pictures
Vocalizes with a growing number of sounds
Watches your face when you talk
Attends to language, music, sounds

A mother kneeling on the floor reading to her infant.

12–17 Months

Says first words
"Labels" things consistently with the same sound
Points correctly if asked, "Where is..?"

A mother reads to her attentive child.

18–23 Months

Names familiar objects and pictures
Brings books to you to read
Fills in words in stories
Pretends to read to stuffed animals or dolls

A teacher reading to two toddlers.

24–35 Months

Recites phrases from stories
Corrects you if you read the story wrong
Enjoys the same book over and over again
Likes stories with rhyme and patterns

A mother laying on the floor reading with her 3 year old.

3 Years

Understands that printed words are different than pictures
Moves finger left to right under print
Shows longer attention span for stories
Pretends to read and write
Knows a few letters

A mother and daughter laughing while reading together.

4 Years

Reads and writes name
Learns letter names and sounds
Finds words that rhyme
Claps syllables in words
Understands story line

A mother reads to her 5 year old while he sits on her lap.

5 Years

Reads several words
Knows most letters and their sounds
Matches words by beginning or ending sound
Sounds out simple words
Attempts some spelling