As a child grows up, their physical and psychological properties also increase—their movement changes from crawling to walking as they learn to stand by themselves.
Likewise, children also develop their intellectual skills. But research suggests an age when a child begins to learn to read.
This post shall discuss the appropriate age when children can learn to read. So, let’s read further to find out.
The contribution of language to human development
Language is a communication medium in speaking, singing, reading and writing. Research indicates that babies adopt the language spoken in the womb.
Doctors advise parents to read to their children while they’re not yet born and as they are babies. The level of communication toward children affects their educational achievement in the future.
Reading books can improve the language development of a child. There is a broader, distinct and descriptive vocabulary in written language than in verbal communication. Therefore, children exposed to it can have better expression capabilities.
Early exposure to language
The early linguistic experience that a child faces can help develop them later. Thus, preschools start with fundamental literacy skills before reaching for formal education.
Children begin their schooling with literacy as the leading cause. However, the widespread pandemic has alarmed researchers on the vast difference in educational achievement between rich and low-income families.
Is it an effort toward excellence or an education arms race?
It is a general belief that administering early education can make more time for better learning and excellence. But the outcome is often an education arms race.
While some parents offer private teaching and coaching to their children, others pay for their kids’ Nursing Dissertation Help for added private tutoring.
The United States of America
In 2001, the United States introduced new developments into their policies. The underlying concept worked on the needs of the children to advance further. The “no child left behind” act measured educational performance and success through standardized testing.
The United Kingdom
Children in the United Kingdom go through testing on reading capabilities from 5 to 6 years of age. But the views differ between the two groups. The critics claim such early testing can hamper the reading capacity of a child. The proponents declare that they help assess the children who require added support.
Yet, other studies reveal less benefit in an overly-academic environment. For example, a US report from 2015 shows there is a change in the expectation of people on what a child must achieve in kindergarten. The shift is causing less play-based learning and other improper classroom practices.
Opinions of other professors
Not yet satisfied? Then let’s look at the different opinions of various professors on a child learning to read.
The following paragraphs include the research data from the professors of different universities.
Dominic Wyse and Alice Bradbury
A professor named Dominic Wyse from the University College London (UCL) and a sociology professor from UCL, Alice Bradbury, published their research proposals.
They emphasized the learning process children follow along with the associated surrounding environment.
One of the major contributions of primary education is helping children to read. They can achieve progress in their student years.
A 2022 report claimed that phonics might hinder the progress of children. Phonics is a training process where a child has to match the sound of the spoken letter or word with other written letters.
Bradbury points out that the schoolification of past years improves formal learning processes. However, the tests that determine the learning procedure hardly connect with the reading skills.
Both Bradbury and Wyse imply rethinking the method of communicating literacy to children. It should engage their interest in words, songs, poems and storybooks. Children can acquire the sounds and enrich their vocabulary.
Bev Brenna and Carol Leroy
Bev Brenna is a specialist in literacy education from the University of Saskatchewan. She claims that the hardwiring of the brain for reading and listening or speaking varies. She refutes the North American ideal that children around 6 years can learn reading in first grade.
Carol Leroy is the director of the Reading and Language Centre at the University of Alberta. Carol refutes Breena’s claim and points out that gaining literacy is a tedious task. Infants play with board books; parents read out to them and then engage in independent reading.
Leroy suggests that if your child struggles with reading by grade three, check if they face problems with other subjects. Then, request the teacher to plan and make a rigorous assessment. Carol also suggests that parents or guardians must offer freedom to the child when they read. Then, the children can control their learning capabilities.
What is the proper age for children to learn to read?
Research studies reveal that children who learn to read early can have improved skills. For example, they possess increased vocabulary, better general knowledge, and enduring focus.
The Institute of Education from the London University engaged in a study with 6000 children. These children frequently read from 10 years, and they read newspapers and books more than once each week.
The appropriate age for reading varies between 4 years to 7 years. However, every child learns at their pace. Children can learn to read better if they can enjoy the learning process. Express a higher level of enthusiasm while reading a book to increase the reading capabilities of a child.
Conclusion
When they were 16 years, their test performances were better than those who read less. While some children learn reading at the age of 4 to 5 years, most get it by 6 to 7 years.
Author Bio
Rose Finney is a preschool teacher who works with MyAssignmenthelp.com. She helps youngsters who ask – who’ll make my assignment for me.