Reading doesn’t come naturally to every child—it must be intentionally and explicitly taught. The early years, particularly ages 4–7, are a critical window for building the foundational skills that support confident, capable readers. Discover why early literacy matters and how the right instruction can give every child a stronger start on the journey to reading.

Some children show signs that reading may require additional support long before they are expected to read independently. Between ages 4 to 7, you may notice: Difficulty recognizing or producing rhymes Taking longer to learn letter names and the sounds they represent Difficulty breaking words into syllables or individual sounds Trouble remembering sequences, such as the alphabet or days of the week Delayed speech or ongoing difficulty pronouncing words clearly Difficulty qu