Doesn't matter. Focus on math. Your kid will learn to read. Not all kids learn math and how to think.

To me starting to read means being able to read simple words like cat. Putting sounds together to make a word. Reading fluently is being able to read many books by yourself.

DS could read at 4. DD learned in K, towards the end of the year. I got the impression at that time that most in her class could read at least some going into K.
Today she is a 4.0 student in middle school (and has tested all along at above grade). So, it was not the best indicator to me of her academic ability. (And for that matter, I don't think the MSAs are the best measure either).

I agree with 19:00. My 3rd grade, you have a much better sense of ability.

Mine knew some sight words and letter sounds before entering K in N. Bethesda. She finished K reading at the end of first grade level. She's in second now, and reading on grade.

it doesn't matter, let the kid be a kid and not worry about it. They will learn to read evenutally.

I realized my spouse and I have different answers to this question-- I would say DD didn't start reading til after K, and spouse would say she was reading before -- which I think goes to show it matters what you mean by "reading".

Anonymous wrote:Agree with 18:57. I still don't know whether to say he can read or not. He can read some, and has been able to since mid pre-K. That means he can work his way through a Bob book if you sit him down and make him focus. Now maybe he could get through Cat in the Hat. Is that reading? Yes, I suppose, but he can't sit down a read a book by himself. So what I'm saying is that when people say "oh, yes, Olivia started to read when she was 4," they MAY mean they can sound out very simple books with help...or it may mean they can read Frog and Toad. Who knows?

This is a good point.

Agree with 18:57. I still don't know whether to say he can read or not. He can read some, and has been able to since mid pre-K. That means he can work his way through a Bob book if you sit him down and make him focus. Now maybe he could get through Cat in the Hat. Is that reading? Yes, I suppose, but he can't sit down a read a book by himself. So what I'm saying is that when people say "oh, yes, Olivia started to read when she was 4," they MAY mean they can sound out very simple books with help...or it may mean they can read Frog and Toad. Who knows?

None of my kids were reading when they entered kindergarten. They are now all above grade level readers. By third grade, it all evens out.

Define reading. Some people think it is when their kid can read "cat". Others consider reading to be early level one readers like "Biscuit " or the first level Bob books. To me reading is when a child can read books like Frog and Toad or Nate the Great.

No.

Mine did not. A whiz in math, but on the low side of reading for sure.

A few years later, he reads right in the middle of the pack and that is fine. And his math skills are now grade levels ahead...the early readers are now great readers.
Do not sweat this.

We visited a private school over the weekend and they said some kids come to K reading but some were still learning letters and such. And they did not seem worried about it.

About half. I would say it doesn't matter.

Have heard conflicting info. Some Pre K teachers say definitely and that most of their charges learn some basic reading skills by 4.5 years (i.e. can sound out words, know some site words). But others say that's not typical. In fact, one Pre K we recently saw said they don't really work on that at all. There seems to be a really, really WIDE range of what children learn in Pre K in the schools we visited.

Bethesda Moms-
In your experience does it matter? Did your child read before entering K? Did others in his/her class? If not, did it make a difference or was your child able to catch up easily?

What Pre Ks in the area are the best for preparing for Pre K if you my DD may need extra help?