Pre k reading level
Reading Milestones (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth
Reviewed by: Cynthia M. Zettler-Greeley, PhD
Nemours BrightStart!
en español Hitos en la lectura
This is a general outline of the milestones on the road to reading success. Keep in mind that kids develop at different paces and spend varying amounts of time at each stage. If you have concerns, talk to your child's doctor, teacher, or the reading specialist at school. Getting help early is key for helping kids who struggle to read.
Parents and teachers can find resources for children as early as pre-kindergarten. Quality childcare centers, pre-kindergarten programs, and homes full of language and book reading can build an environment for reading milestones to happen.
Infancy (Up to Age 1)
Kids usually begin to:
- learn that gestures and sounds communicate meaning
- respond when spoken to
- direct their attention to a person or object
- understand 50 words or more
- reach for books and turn the pages with help
- respond to stories and pictures by vocalizing and patting the pictures
Toddlers (Ages 1–3)
Kids usually begin to:
- answer questions about and identify objects in books — such as "Where's the cow?" or "What does the cow say?"
- name familiar pictures
- use pointing to identify named objects
- pretend to read books
- finish sentences in books they know well
- scribble on paper
- know names of books and identify them by the picture on the cover
- turn pages of board books
- have a favorite book and request it to be read often
Early Preschool (Age 3)
Kids usually begin to:
- explore books independently
- listen to longer books that are read aloud
- retell a familiar story
- sing the alphabet song with prompting and cues
- make symbols that resemble writing
- recognize the first letter in their name
- learn that writing is different from drawing a picture
- imitate the action of reading a book aloud
Late Preschool (Age 4)
Kids usually begin to:
- recognize familiar signs and labels, especially on signs and containers
- recognize words that rhyme
- name some of the letters of the alphabet (a good goal to strive for is 15–18 uppercase letters)
- recognize the letters in their names
- write their names
- name beginning letters or sounds of words
- match some letters to their sounds
- develop awareness of syllables
- use familiar letters to try writing words
- understand that print is read from left to right, top to bottom
- retell stories that have been read to them
Kindergarten (Age 5)
Kids usually begin to:
- produce words that rhyme
- match some spoken and written words
- write some letters, numbers, and words
- recognize some familiar words in print
- predict what will happen next in a story
- identify initial, final, and medial (middle) sounds in short words
- identify and manipulate increasingly smaller sounds in speech
- understand concrete definitions of some words
- read simple words in isolation (the word with definition) and in context (using the word in a sentence)
- retell the main idea, identify details (who, what, when, where, why, how), and arrange story events in sequence
First and Second Grade (Ages 6–7)
Kids usually begin to:
- read familiar stories
- "sound out" or decode unfamiliar words
- use pictures and context to figure out unfamiliar words
- use some common punctuation and capitalization in writing
- self-correct when they make a mistake while reading aloud
- show comprehension of a story through drawings
- write by organizing details into a logical sequence with a beginning, middle, and end
Second and Third Grade (Ages 7–8)
Kids usually begin to:
- read longer books independently
- read aloud with proper emphasis and expression
- use context and pictures to help identify unfamiliar words
- understand the concept of paragraphs and begin to apply it in writing
- correctly use punctuation
- correctly spell many words
- write notes, like phone messages and email
- understand humor in text
- use new words, phrases, or figures of speech that they've heard
- revise their own writing to create and illustrate stories
Fourth Through Eighth Grade (Ages 9–13)
Kids usually begin to:
- explore and understand different kinds of texts, like biographies, poetry, and fiction
- understand and explore expository, narrative, and persuasive text
- read to extract specific information, such as from a science book
- understand relations between objects
- identify parts of speech and devices like similes and metaphors
- correctly identify major elements of stories, like time, place, plot, problem, and resolution
- read and write on a specific topic for fun, and understand what style is needed
- analyze texts for meaning
Reviewed by: Cynthia M. Zettler-Greeley, PhD
Date reviewed: May 2022
All About Reading Pre-reading
Here's What You Need for Pre-Reading
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All About Reading Pre-reading Basic Package
Includes Teacher's Manual, Student Packet, The Zigzag Zebra book, Lizard Lou book, Divider Cards, Letter Sounds A to Z app, and Adorable Animal Stickers.
- This package provides the core components of the All About Reading Pre-reading program. It contains the student and teacher materials needed to effectively teach Pre-reading.
- The skills taught in the All About Reading Pre-reading program help pre-readers understand the basics of language and how it works, preparing them to learn to read.
- Teaching more than one student? You will need to purchase an additional student activity book (My Book of Letters and Sounds) for each additional student.
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Ziggy Zebra Puppet
Ziggy Zebra Puppet is an integral part of the pre-reading program. By drawing kids into the lessons, Ziggy helps kids feel empowered, successful, and eager to learn more.
- Ziggy puts the sparkle in our program!
- Ziggy is 13" tall with an 8" head and plenty of room for all hand sizes.
- Parents love Ziggy, too! He's easy to manipulate so you can give him real personality and expression.
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All About Reading Pre-reading Review Box
The Pre-reading Review Box is the perfect solution for storing and organizing Picture Cards and Letter Sound Cards all in one place.
- This two-piece box measures approximately 4.5" long x 4.75" wide x 3.5" tall and features a removable lid.
- The pre-reading Divider Cards are not included. They are included in the Pre-reading Basic Package sold above or can be purchased individually by clicking "View Individual Products" below.
- This two-piece box measures approximately 4.5" long x 4.75" wide x 3.5" tall and features a removable lid.
Individual Products
Click to view-
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All About Reading Pre-reading Teacher's Manual
Included in the Pre-reading Basic Package.
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All About Reading Pre-reading Student Packet
Included in the Pre-reading Basic Package. Contains: Activity Book, Cards, Alphabet Charts, stickers, and more. .
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All About Reading Pre-reading Activity Book
Included in the Pre-reading Student Packet.
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Adorable Animal Stickers
Included in the Pre-reading Student Packet.
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The Zigzag Zebra Read-aloud Book
Included in the Pre-reading Basic Package.
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Lizard Lou Read-aloud Book
Included in the Pre-reading Basic Package.
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All About Reading Pre-reading Divider Cards
One set of divider cards is included in the Pre-reading Basic Package.
4 methods of quick reading of educational and scientific literature
People have been reading for hundreds of centuries, but only in our time the question of increasing the speed of reading has become so acute.
The main reason is the increase in the volume of information as a result of the development of science, its integrativity and the need to significantly accelerate the development of information. Organize daily workouts for your brain and the result will not be long in coming.
In Russian, reading is interpreted in several meanings:
1. reading as a process of perception of texts arranged in various ways:
2. reading as pronunciation, recitation of texts, including for educational purposes;
3. reading as an oral presentation to an audience of educational (lecture) or scientific material (report).
4. reading as a process of perception, processing, recoding, understanding and memorization of various symbols and texts with the help of a visual analyzer.
Figure 1. Text processing model In-depth is a way of reading in which the reader pays attention to details, analyzes and evaluates them. It is also called analytical or critical.
For example, this way of reading is best used when studying academic disciplines.
Quick reading - continuous reading of the text, in which the process of analyzing facts and synthesizing individual concepts quickly proceeds.
For example, this way of reading is suitable for reading scientific, technical, economic, etc. literature.
Selective reading is a reading method in which individual sections of the text are read selectively.
For example, this method is used for secondary reading of an information source after its preview.
Reading-browsing is a way of reading in which there is a preliminary acquaintance with the source of information.
For example, we pick up a book, skim through the preface, look for the author’s most important provisions by the table of contents, according to which we can presumably judge the main content of the source, look through the conclusion and draw a conclusion about the usefulness and value of the text.
Reading-scanning is a method of reading a source in which it searches for exclusively factual information (numbers, words, surnames, etc.).
For example, to prove his point of view, the reader looks for this or that statistical information in books.
Thus, the considered methods of reading show the need not only to master them, but also the opportunity to choose the appropriate method each time, depending on the nature of the text and the time budget.
Regression - involuntary, mechanical, repeated eye fixations of the same section of the text (phrases, words, sentences). With such reading, the eyes move back, but not to the starting point of reading, but limiting themselves to the near zone.
Speaking is the movement of the lips, tongue and other organs of speech when reading to oneself. When reading slowly, internal speaking occurs, proceeding at the same speed with which we read the text aloud.
Small field of vision — coverage of the text by the eye during one fixation of the gaze. A person perceives letters, words, at best a few words, therefore, the eyes make several fixations, which is called splitting the gaze.
Absence of a reading strategy - absence of a goal, task and topic that moves the reader.
Lack of attention - switching thoughts to extraneous sounds, thoughts, objects reduces interest in reading and slows down the perception of the text.
Reading methods differ in the speed of their implementation, which is defined as the number of characters read per unit of time. Important is not only the speed of reading the text, but also the coefficient of understanding, the productivity of reading.
In different countries and languages, both the names and meanings of reading standards differ (see table).
Reading speed standards in different countries Our country also has reading speed standards for adults (see table).
Of course, each person's reading speed is individual and depends on many factors: the activity of neuropsychic processes, features of thinking, attention, genetic predisposition. But each person, training daily, can change his own indicators.
Reception 1. Disable regression.
It is necessary to force yourself not to return to the previously read text. To do this, you can wear headphones while reading or use a special reading algorithm. This algorithm assumes sequential extraction of information on key issues.
Special reading algorithm
TITLE (books, articles) - AUTHOR (authors) - SOURCES AND ITS DATA - TOPIC (what the book, article is about) - FACTUAL INFORMATION - DISPUTE ISSUES - NOVELTY OF THE MATERIAL AND THE POSSIBILITY OF ITS USE.
Reception 2. Disable internal articulation (pronunciation).
Since our speech is a rhythmic pattern, to increase the speed of reading it is necessary to use the technique of arrhythmic tapping.
Arrhythmic tapping reception
While reading to himself, a person taps out a rhythm with his hand that does not correspond to the rhythm of Russian speech. For example: one-two-three-four-six-seven-eight. This rhythm breaks the usual mechanism of speech movements when reading a Russian text, that is, it interferes with internal pronunciation.
Reception 3. Expanding the field of view.
The untrained eye is forced to make 12-16 stops while reading, which takes time and tires the eye muscles.
Vertical Reading ChartVertical reading technique
The table contains numbers from 1 to 25. Look at the center of the table from a distance of 30-40 cm, trying to see the entire table. You must find all the numbers in ascending order from 1 to 25 in 25 seconds. If you have lost any purely, then look for it by moving the eye only vertically. Using the same pattern, you can make tables for yourself with a large number of numbers.
Exercise 3-5 minutes daily.
Reception 3. Improving attention.
In psychology, it is customary to distinguish the following qualities of attention: concentration, volume, switching, distribution, and stability. Fluent reading skills require the development of all qualities.
To improve all qualities, a series of exercises must be performed daily.
Exercise example.
You have two tasks. Each of which you must close with a piece of paper immediately after reading. Read assignments very quickly. Then you should answer the questions.
Task 1. The wife asked her husband to buy oil, soap, meat, and cabbage. Husband bought: cabbage, soap, oil, lard. What did your husband forget to buy? What did he buy extra?
Task 2. In room 235, in the right drawer of the cabinet, which stands next to the desk, there is a book of Wormsbereh and the Cabin “One Hundred Pages an Hour”.
Bring her. Where exactly is the book? Were you asked to enter room 325, 235, 435? Where is the closet? Where is the book? Who are the authors of the book?
The online Schulte table is one of the most effective simulators for developing attention, memory and speed reading skills.
Lumosity - online version has more than 40 games for training attention, multitasking, short-term and long-term memory, focus (concentration), stress management, etc.
PEAK - contains 25 puzzles divided into several categories. Focus - a series of exercises on interacting with shapes: sorting, matching and isolating them. Agility - puzzles that require quick decision making and cause some brain confusion. Problem Solving - a series of puzzles in which special emphasis was placed on working with numbers and geometric shapes. Memory - 7 exercises to train memory and work with cards. Language - provides for the development of skills for quick selection of words, pairing, searching for words among the letter grid (support for English only).
"B-trainika" — daily selects 5 exercises for you, focused on the comprehensive improvement of the basic cognitive functions of the brain. The total class time is 15-20 minutes per day. All simulators are made in the form of games, so classes on them are exciting and interesting.
Thus, with proper determination, diligence and desire, success is guaranteed to you. Reading is dying.
The nature of the book has evolved. Society and technology have changed. Albeit forced, but adapting to a different way of life, our approach to reading has taken on new forms.
The only question is, is it for the better or for the worse?
Although books can give us new ideas, spark an argument, or explore a problem more fully, the same information can be presented in a variety of formats. So when it comes to exactly how we should read, opinions tend to differ.
Efficiency of Speed Reading
Beginning in the 1950s, speed reading has been promoted as an effective way to quickly absorb textual material.
Scientists, psychologists, and teachers have come up with methods to increase reading speed using hand tools or eye movements.
At the World Speed Reading Championship, the best participants achieve reading speeds of 1000-2000 words per minute. Six-time champion Anne Jones once read 4,200 words in 60 seconds. These figures seem phenomenal compared to the average adult reading ability at 300 words per minute.
So, what are the methods used by speed reading masters?
There are four common methods:
1. Skimming (Skimming) - this method involves quickly skimming through a passage in order to find and highlight the main points. Instead of carefully reading each word, you skim through the first and last paragraphs, headings, and similar clues to find the main ideas. Scanning, a similar method, involves skimming text to find specific words and phrases.
2. Meta guiding (Meta guiding) uses a pointer, finger, or pen to direct the reader's eye along lines.
The pointer helps the eyes move horizontally, focusing on the word you are about to read.
3. The Vision span method uses the range of human vision to read words in groups. Readers focus their eyes on one central word and then use their peripheral vision to see adjacent words. It is believed that in this way we can read about five words at a time.
4. Rapid Sequential Visualization (RSVP) is a more modern method. It involves the use of an electronic reader that displays the words one by one. You can choose the speed at which they will be displayed on the screen.
Although many readers adhere to these methods, there is still some controversy about their usefulness. So, when skimming, some of the details are lost. On the other hand, pre-skimming and scanning can help you learn a topic quickly and then read those sections in more detail.
One of the authors of The Psychology of Reading, Keith Rayner, rejects the technique of speed reading.
He attributes this to the limitations of the anatomy of our eyes and our brain's ability to process information. Moreover, in order to save time, most speed reading methods are aimed at suppressing the mental process of voicing words (also known as subvocalization). Reiner argues that with such reading, the level of memorization and understanding of what has been read decreases sharply.
As for the best participants in the World Speed Reading Championship, their level of understanding, as a rule, fluctuates within 50%. And while Ann Jones's reading speed is impressive, her comprehension rate is around 67%, and that's only if she's encountered the text before.
So, no matter what speed reading method you use, the facts indicate that understanding is always sacrificed for speed.
It's not always bad - it all depends on what you're reading. If you are trying to read dry official documentation to highlight a few key points, it makes sense to use skimming. The RSVP method works when you read a short passage that is easy to understand.
Personally, I like to use a pen as a pointer to guide my eyes through the text.
But if you are reading a difficult book or one that you want to ponder over, savoring each chapter, there is no point in using speed reading methods.
Choice of reading format
Previously, there was only one reading option - the traditional paper edition. Today we can choose to read, watch or listen to books. The large number of options raises new questions about how we should read a book and why one format is better than another.
Paper book. According to studies, paper books have certain advantages over other formats. First, readers have a clearer sense of progress in reading when they can physically flip through the pages. Tactile sensations also contribute to better memorization of what has been read. In addition, paper books are positioned as an effective sleep aid because, unlike electronic devices, they do not emit blue light.
Another advantage of traditional books is that so many people give them their preference.
People love the feel of paper. The soft smell, weight of the book and the ability to flip through the pages enhance the reading experience. However, the disadvantage of paper books is their weight and inconvenience during transportation.
Electronic readers. Their main advantage is convenience. It makes no difference whether you carry one book with you or a hundred. This is useful for travel, especially if you want more reading options. E-books are also more user-friendly as we are used to electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets.
However, the big problem with readers is the blue light. Researchers have found that people who prefer e-books to paper books take longer to fall asleep. Those who use tablets, laptops, smartphones and backlit readers for reading have reduced levels of melatonin, a hormone whose concentration increases in the evenings and causes drowsiness. As a result, they sleep poorly and wake up tired.
Well, e-ink e-books are an exception.
These devices impart a glow to the screen itself, which improves the visibility of the text and does not dazzle the reader. The resulting effect is similar to a lamp aimed at a paper book.
Audiobooks. Some people are quite skeptical about them, because they think that listening does not provide the same level of immersion as reading. However, studies note that we can perceive information by ear almost as well as visually (but whether these methods are completely equal is a separate topic for discussion). In some cases, the tone of the narrator helps listeners to better understand the meaning of the text.
The problem with audio, however, is that people tend to multitask. If you are typing an email or cooking while listening to the narrator, the message may get lost. Personally, I like to use audiobooks when I'm least distracted, like when I'm standing in line or going for a walk.
Recently, speed reading through audiobooks has become very popular.
Some people listen to a book at 2-3 times the speed of the original recording. And although they argue that no information is lost in the course of such reading, it is worth considering whether we should approach the study of the text in this way.
A book is not just a box waiting to be opened to check the contents. Its study is an experience that requires the absorption of material, reflection on it and return in the form of new knowledge. Similar to the emergence of creative moments, which most often occur during quiet periods, we get fresh ideas from books during pauses in reading.
The State of Reading Today
Given the boom in e-books, smartphones, and electronic devices in general, it's no surprise that people are turning to reading in a wide variety of ways. As information "digitizes", access to books becomes easier.
However, most things can now be easily accessed. Videos are available upon request. People can chat with friends all over the world.
With the myriad options at our fingertips, are books really any more appealing under these conditions than they used to be?
According to a survey in Japan, the more time people spend on their smartphones, the less time they have to read books. Overall, 53% of respondents have not read a single book in the last month. This situation has been going on for 5 years now.
On a positive note, another study showed an increase in reading from 17% to 21% after the holiday season, as tablets and e-readers became one of the most popular gifts. Last year, about 43% of American adults preferred to consume so-called "long content", whether it be books, magazines, or articles. On average, e-book users read 24 books per year. Lovers of paper — 15.
Places and circumstances of reading have changed. People open a book every time they have free time, such as while commuting or between tasks. Increasingly, reading takes place while watching TV or surfing the Internet.
Although we read the text, it often happens in short bursts, during which the benefits of "deep reading" are lost.
Prolonged quiet reading helps a person enter a state similar to a hypnotic trance, in which the experience of the content is most enjoyable. Interestingly, the reading speed actually slows down. In this state, we decipher words faster, while maintaining a gradual tempo, understanding is enhanced, and a special relationship is established between the author and the reader.
How to read in a changing society
Ideally, we would read continuously for several hours, in soft lighting and without any distractions. Unfortunately, most of us don't have that daily luxury.
So how can we get the most out of reading? Here are four effective solutions:
1. Choose the right reading materials for different situations.
Reading only when we have long, free periods of time is quite difficult. We squeeze into books whenever we can, between work and play. These factors make it difficult for us to completely immerse ourselves in ourselves.
Therefore, it makes sense to classify reading material according to place and time. For example, put articles and light reading aside to read in short free periods. Books that require less attention can be listened to in audio format. Difficult-to-read material can be saved for when you have longer periods of free time.
2.Make reading a daily habit.
Since I started reading constantly, I have been able to:
Improve your creativity
Apply what you learn to your work
Discover new topics and interests
Explore ideas from different perspectives
Develop empathy and understanding of people and situations
- experience a pleasant feeling of anticipation of reading,
- create a daily sense of stability and continuity,
- relieve stress and relax, improve the quality of sleep.
The best time to read is early morning or just before bedtime. Of course, you can start reading at any time, but I find these two options are perfect for starting and ending the day.
The easiest way to start this habit is to put a book on your bedside table so that it is one of the first things you see when you wake up and before going to bed. If reading tires you, choose more fun and easy reading.
3. Share what you read.
After watching the latest episode of your favorite show, do you feel the need to share your thoughts and opinions with other viewers? If so, why should things be different in relation to the book?
If you have just finished reading a book and you like it, share it with others who might like it too. Or if someone with similar tastes recommends a book to you, why don't you read it?
Going through these experiences and connecting through books brings you closer, creating a feeling like traveling together or watching the same movie. Group discussion can also help you better understand and appreciate what you read.
4. Think about reading.
As I mentioned earlier, I don't like to just flip through a book, mark it, and move on to the next one.
