At what age

July 19, 2011 1:35pm CST
At what age should the average child be reading. I know there is this new "Your Baby Can Read" program on the market now and I see that children as early as 18 months are reading. I have a 3 yr old niece and she is still unable to read. Is this normal or is she behind?
3 responses
uzunova
@uzunova (75)
• Bulgaria
22 Jul 11
My kids are 4,5 and 3 and they can`t read.I think your niece is O.K.It isn`t normal(for now)kids at 18 months to read,it is too early,I think.I was 3 when I started reading,but my kids don`t know the alphabet, even.
sswallace21
@sswallace21 (1824)
• United States
20 Jul 11
I don't think she's behind. Those other children are just way ahead. One has to wonder, if they are forces to read. I can't really imagine a 18-month old sitting still long enough to get any real reading done. There's a whole world out their for them to explore and I'm sure that's what they would rather do. Best Wishes!
K.Rajib G.
@krajibg (11922)
• Guwahati, India
19 Jul 11
Hi, All children do not learn at the same pace. Some are late learner and reader and some others are fast. Besides there is the surrounding and environment where your children is focused to. Since I am not a native speaker of English I have taught my son all the sounds in English. As you know there are 26 alphabets but 44 sounds. This is problem for many non English speakers. Now what should I say about my son that he acquired those sounds and also read his books?