Learning to read is a process that can take years, and although each child learns at his own pace, most progress through four basic reading stages. Read the descriptions that follow to find the one that best describes your child. Then put that information to use with our stage-specific reading articles that offer tips on how to choose great books, master reading skills, and more.

Signs of a Pre-Reader
Your child is probably a pre-reader, also called a pre-emergent reader, if he does most of the following:
• Plays with books as toys but doesn't yet understand that they contain stories.

• Has been exposed to books and enjoys hearing them, but doesn't yet comprehend that the pages contain words that correspond to a story.

• Is attracted to the bright colors and illustrations found in books, but doesn't understand that the pictures depict a story.

• Can't identify any words or letters on the pages.

Rough age guideline for a pre-reader: 2 to 4 years old
 

Signs of a Beginning Reader
Your child is probably a beginning reader, also known as an emerging reader, if he does most of the following:
• Needs pictures on each page to help tell the story.

• Has trouble answering questions about the story.

• Memorizes books and tries to read them again and again.

• Reads aloud unexpressively and doesn't stop for punctuation.

• Comes across an unknown word and is able to sound out the beginning, but then makes up the rest or skips over it.

Rough age guideline for a beginning reader: 4 to 6 years old

Signs of an Advanced Reader
Your child is probably an advanced reader, also known as a fluent reader, if he does most of the following:
• Reads smoothly with few if any breaks.

• Reads chapter books and can fully comprehend most or all of the story.

• Enjoys books without pictures.

• Looks up an unknown word in the dictionary or asks the meaning of the word and usually remembers it the next time the word shows up.

• Can answer a series of questions about the material and share feelings and thoughts about the story.

• Reads aloud expressively throughout, with a full understanding of punctuation and rhythm.

• Reads chapter books and shows interest in longer, more detailed stories.

Rough age guideline for an advanced reader: 8 and up