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Most children are not reading books on their own at the start of kindergarten. During the year, many learn most letter sounds and start to read short, simple words like cat and sun. Children differ a lot, and a slow start is common. What matters most is steady progress. If your child is not learning letter sounds by the middle of the year, talk to the teacher.
In kindergarten, children usually learn to hear the sounds in words, learn the sounds of the letters, and begin to join sounds to read short words. A U.S. Department of Education guide for schools describes these as the first steps of reading.
By the end of the year, many children can read some short words and a few common words like the and is. Some read more, some less.
It is normal for a kindergartener to read slowly, sound by sound, to mix up b and d, and to need help with many words.
Children who were not read to much, or who are learning English, may start a bit later and catch up with steady practice.
Play sound games: what sound does sun start with? Practice a few letter sounds a day. When your child knows a few, read short words made of them.
Read aloud every day. Talk about the story and new words. A few minutes of practice and a story at bedtime is enough.
Ask the teacher if by the middle of kindergarten your child knows very few letter sounds, cannot tell you the first sound of a word, or cannot rhyme at all.
Ask what the school's reading checks show. Early help works best.
Practice this in the free reading appReading games your child can play on a phone, tablet or computer. Every word can be sounded out. No sign-up.Open the app
Play sound games in the car or at dinner.
Practice a few letter sounds a day.
Read short words made only of sounds your child knows.
Read aloud every day.
Look for steady progress, not a race.
Listen and Say the WordYou say the sounds slowly, your child says the whole word. No letters to look at, so it trains the ear first.Play free
Build the WordYour child hears a word and taps the letter tiles in the right order to build it.Play free
Read the WordOne short word at a time, such as sat, pin or dog. Every word uses only the sounds of the level you choose.Play freeShort a words worksheets, CVC word family practice.
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CVC cut and paste worksheets for beginning, middle and ending sounds.
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All 5 read and match level worksheet packs in one download.
See inside $3
All 7 letter sounds level worksheet packs in one download.
See insideNot on its own. Many children are just starting. Watch for steady progress with letter sounds and hearing sounds in words. If there is little progress by mid-year, ask the teacher.
You do not have to. Playing with sounds, learning some letters and reading aloud together are a great start.
Many children know most letter sounds and can read some short words and a few common words. Ask the teacher what the school expects.
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