Is It Too Early to Start Teaching My Child to Read?

The brains of most children haven’t developed the skills it takes to read until around age five or six. It’s possible that your toddler will pick it up sooner, but giving her reading lessons generally won’t speed up the process.

It’s never too early, however, to get her prepared — and excited — for her reading days. And the best way to do that is to read to her. Make the reading experience interactive by letting her pick out the book she wants you to read, holding the book in a way that she can see the pictures clearly, and asking her to point to the recognizable items on each page.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.