Answer to a question I haven't re-located on reading and age...

[Guest guest]

Reading is a variable developmental milestone just like walking,

talking, etc. Since the group we deal with the most in academic

areas is our LEA (Local Education Agency)/schools (districts) I will

answer it in a way that is covered in IDEA and NCLB (Individuals

with Disabilities Education Act and No Child Left Behind,

respectively). We all know IDEA has been adjusted to work side by

side with NCLB or at least that's what 'they' are attempting to do.

NCLB requires that all children be able to read by the end of the

third grade. It requires that a scientificly validated/peer-

reviewed method be used. While NCLB has no real teeth like IDEA

(albeit, very dull teeth), legally if NCLB is not complied with you

have an argument that FAPE was not provided.

Sadly, the peer-reviewed, scientific data shows that the closer

your child is to third grade the harder it is to make up lost gains

b/c your child should be at least strong with naming, rhyming and

alliteration between the ages of 3 and 6 (ages are right if memory

serves me right). These three things directly correlate (very

strongly) with reading ability. From personal experience this does

not mean necessarily in print. You can work on N,R, & A (naming,

rhymming and alliteration verbally) but I cannot point to any

research, as of yet, to validate this, just personal experience.

Hopefully this helped...if the original inquirer sees I went on

a different tangent than they intended, let me know...

Shane