Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

Not reciting memorized stories, but actually sight read? David has been reading random words on signs, TV, cereal boxes, etc for a while now. He is starting to read sentences now. Books we haven't read to him yet, and he understands what he is reading. We don't even push the reading thing. We read to him, and encourage him when he reads, but he does most of the reading on his own. He was almost arguing with me on the plane because the safety brochure said not to open the window if you see "debris" outside. He was convinced that is was "deb-riss", and not "de-bree"

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

Not common! You got a smart kid!

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

Not common at all- that's awesome!

I once babysat for a kid who was four who could read but he wasn't toliet trained so I was so impressed.

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

That is rare. My 4 year old who will be turning 5 soon is just starting to read some words and thats even early. So he is def young thats awesome he will def be ready come kindergarten!

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

Defnitely not typical from what I've heard. DS started reading from memorization (mommy, daddy, Sean, cup, milk, cookie, etc...) when he was 2 1/2. I kid you not.

He'll be 4 in two weeks and has been reading phonetically for about 8 months. He reads (or tries to read ) everything! We got him some Kindergarten sight word flash cards for Christmas and he loves them.

We've had numerous "discussions" over here about proper pronunciation of words like "debris". Enjoy.

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

No, it's not typical. My nephew was reading books at that age (and in kindergarten reading them to the class while the teacher took a break) and the teachers and doctors were mentioning how advanced he was (and still is).

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

Wow you've got a smart boy! Awareness of environmental print(signs, ceral boxes, etc) is common for kids around that age. But to read sentences and have comprehension is pretty advanced.

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

Joseph did but it's definitely not typical. To check if he was really doing it, we would write out words on a piece of paper with no drawings & he would sound them out.

In kindergarten, he needed to get his own reading enrichment teacher so he didn't disrupt the other kids learning how to read.

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

Not too common, but thats awesome - I was reading at age 2... I am a total book worm still... but ask me to do simple math... forget it!!!



I hope Cailen will read early too!!!

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

It isn't very common. I was site reading at 3. I attribute it to having much older siblings who read to me everyday. It is EXTREMELY important, IMO to read to and with children. It fosters an interest in reading and shows them how you can never stop learning. Words can be picked up from symbols seen in everyday life and it transfers to other places.

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

I started reading when I was 3. I would make my mom read to me until she was hoarse, and she said she used to take "shortcuts" to get through some stories when she was really tired, and I would correct her. She always thought I had just heard the stories so often that I memorized them.

One day my grandmother bought me a new Little Golden Book "The Three Little Kittens" and I grabbed it and started reading out loud. They were shocked!

Keep reading to them, it's a great thing and not that common!

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

Follow up: He read an entire early-reader type book by himself last night. He only needed help with one or two words, but he read the entire thing by himself.

On a different, but related story, DW found a college-level biology book that is also a coloring book. The theory of the author is that high school and college kids can learn better if they use other parts of their brains, instead of just reading, so the coloring is supposed to help with comprehension. Of course, David doesn't just color in the pictures, he's trying to understand the text, and asking us questions about cell structure, genetics, photosynthesis, etc....

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

Posted by GoldenRod

Follow up: He read an entire early-reader type book by himself last night. He only needed help with one or two words, but he read the entire thing by himself.

On a different, but related story, DW found a college-level biology book that is also a coloring book. The theory of the author is that high school and college kids can learn better if they use other parts of their brains, instead of just reading, so the coloring is supposed to help with comprehension. Of course, David doesn't just color in the pictures, he's trying to understand the text, and asking us questions about cell structure, genetics, photosynthesis, etc....

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

My 4yr old's been reading also, and has always said very big words (my hubby taught him photosynthesis while we were in Florida, funny that you said that word).

Kids are like sponges, they know PART of something, and they want to know ALL about it.

My niece was reading 3rd/4th grade reading level in Kindergarten, writing/writes letters to all us family members (in letter form! ). There are great enrichment programs in the schools, and the teacher will work with you also.

I hope Im not confusing him by showing him Italian words too


Sounds like youre son is doing AWESOME!

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

it's very common for 4yos to read.

i taught kindergarten (most of the entering kids are 4) and am a reading specialist and i'd say half of my class could read and the other half had a lot of phonemic ability but needed guidance.

your son seems like he wants to learn, learn, learn so bring him to the library to pick out appropriate books.

and memorizing words REALLY IS reading! it's the first step to understanding letters, sounds and their relationships.

only let him read books that are on his age level...3rd grade content (if he could read that high) is inappropriate for a 4yo. and the comprehension skills probably wouldn't be that highly developed. there are different series available that he might enjoy that aren't just picture books.

keep up the great work with him! and make sure you ask him questions about what he is reading. reading is half words and half comprehension!

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

It's not common, but very helpful for later in life to be ahead! I could read then...the downside is that they can get very very very bored in school. I would get caught daydreaming constantly during "read aloud" times. Drove me nuts to have to "wait" for the whole class to finish a story. I would just read ahead, finish and be done. Unfortunately, that isn't what teachers want kids to do! I was smart...but bored.

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

very common...especially if he was in any kind of school.

I worked in a 4 YO preschool in a church and we did phonics reading and most of the kids DO read

Re: Is it typical for a 4yo to read?

Not typical at all. You've got a smart cookie on your hands!