Are lots of pre-reception 4 year olds reading ?

Mine did letter sounds only. Nursery did this and I helped at home. They didn't put the sounds together until reception. I remember a boy who could already read and write, but it didn't have any bearing on achievement later. I mean he was a bright boy, but not ahead of other bright kids who learned at school.

Also, parents who make a big deal
of telling you what their kids can do are insufferable. If they can do it, we can see it 🙃

My pre-reception four year old son can read "random text".

I just asked him to read a menu "full rack of ribs for the price of a half rack" and he did so fluently. He then of course asked what that means, as he's four.

I think that's very unusual and not something I would expect of any child his age but it's certainly possible.

I’ve taught reception and here are absolutely the best things you can teach your could before they arrive -

to share with other children
be kind
to put their own jacket/shoes on/off
to wait if you are talking
to put things away when they’ve used them
to try something first before asking for help
to open/peel snack/lunch independently
to refill their water bottle independently

Reading, maths etc the school will do.

Not sure why some posters think it’s not possible. I’m sure it’s not the norm but it’s also not uncommon.

I taught DC1 to read starting the Christmas before he started school. May birthday so he was about 3.5. He started school on yellow band and now in year 1 is free reading.

DC2 is a November birthday, so just over 3.5 and I’ve just started teaching her. She’s reading Cvc words at the moment. She won’t start school until Sept 25 (ie 14 months from now) and I’d expect her to be a very good reader by that point.

My kids are bright, interested in doing it, and I enjoy teaching them. It’s not necessary but it certainly gave DS a big confidence boost when he started. He hasn’t been bored at all at school.

No, they don't!!!
Please share books, stories and talk about what things are called, play lots of rhyming songs ( baa baa black sheep, 10 green bottles etc) experiment with handling thick pens, chalk, paintbrush, cutlery. Put on jacket & shoes but mostly play, play, play.

This. Leave it for the teachers.

My DC could read at the start of reception but it hasn't been an advantage being ahead of his peers, as he's been bored at school. I wouldn't bother frankly.

I had one that started reception aged almost 5 who was pretty good at reading. And one just turned 4 who couldn't. I was very proud that he'd consistently got the whole toileting routine down, including "flush toilet" "wash hands with soap" and "dry hands". He recognised his name written down, which is useful from a labelling possessions perspective. If he tried to write it he would write some letters back to front. In his recent Ks2 mock SATs he got GD in all areas, best in his class in one area, max scaled score in one area. Pretty similar to his sibling last year.
At this age they need a language rich environment, so lots of fairy tales, rhyming books, being read to. Music, poetry. And the ability to take instruction from an adult. Then either they will pick up how to read or school will teach them easily because all the building blocks are in place.

I work in eyfs. The blunt answer is no, a child coming in at 4 able to read is unusual.
Quite frankly we’re just grateful if they can read and write their own name!

OP- just my own experiences- I was reading fluently before I started school. Taught myself apparently 🤷‍♀️ I don’t remember so I I have no idea, but I can’t remember a time when I couldn’t read. I do remember being asked to read to the rest of the class when I was in reception, so I don’t think my DM is exaggerating.

My DS however, started reception totally unable to read, with no interest in reading (very much adored being read to) or letters etc (tried very very hard to encourage him but it just wasn’t happening) - and has subsequently been diagnosed with dyslexia.

All kids are incredibly different and between kids like I was, and kids like my DS, is a whole spectrum of normal. If your kid starts school able to hold a pencil, mark make, manage their self care, and most importantly- listen to and follow age appropriate instructions- they’ve got everything they need to start school, and will be absolutely fine. With reading and the rest.

My oldest could read common words by 3 and simple stories by the time she started school. She literally taught herself. However she is autistic and it seems to be a splinter skill. She still loves reading now.

My second is about to start school and can do a few phonics and her numbers up to ten. She is much more calm and independent however, and that will do her much more good in the long run.

In 25 years of teaching, I have met one child who could read before school.

It's far more productive to spend your time teaching your child fine motor tasks and social skills.

Mine can recognise words and has good understanding of phonics. But she isn’t reading. She can write well though, she loves a list and she can add and subtract some numbers.

Can barely run though! Her gross motor isn’t great.

DD is definitely school ready- she’s completely bored by nursery now, she wants to do more. She’s a September born so nearly 5.

Not necessary. None of the kids in my sons reception year this year could read as far as I know. Our nursery did some very gentle phonics, no blending. Ds is reading band orange read write inc books now and doing great towards the end of his first year.

More important is to support fine motor skills for pencil holding, through whatever works for them, and their particular interests. Schools know how to teach reading, and it's harder to undo bad habits!

For what it's worth, my ds absolutely was not ready for school. Lacked confidence, food issues, sensory challenges. Academics is not the full picture. Focus on what needs the most work to help her be more well rounded.

I actually disagree, if the child seen any of these words in a different context, for example, 'Milk' on a packets of biscuits or 'Tesco' written in a magazine I doubt they would 'read' them. They just recognise the branding/situation. Of course some may actually read them clearly but I would say my 4 year old falls into what I have explained.

OP, I hope your child enjoys their bug Adventure in Reception, mine is just finishing and it's gone so fast!

Neither of my children could read or write before starting school beyond recognising their own names and both are well on track with literacy for their respective ages now. DD's has a friend who's mum claimed her child was reading Harry Potter independently in P2 (age 5/6 for those unfamiliar with the Scottish system).

@Tandora yes I agree it is reading but rather reading by recognising the shape of the words rather than phonics.
What I meant was some people might say "my child can read" because they can read the words "Corn Flakes" but if you point to a label that says "Rice Crispies" - for example a cereal they never eat - they wouldn't be able to read that.
My daughter was like this.
Very good at "reading" logos and shop names 😂

DD2 was getting the hang of phonics and blending, added to recognising common words, when she started school.

DD1 on the other hand.... finished Reception still on Level 1 books.

A few can, most won't. I could read at 2 self taught and hyperlexic but also an autistic. One of mine could too, the rest learnt at a much more normal pace. And couldn't read when they went into reception.

Some 4 year olds can absolutely read . But it’s not the majority and it’s not necessary to be ready for reception.

There'll be a huge range.
Dd1 had never even done phonics and was reading by Christmas of reception, dd2 was fluent before she started coz she did reading every night and spelling tests when her big sis was doing them.
No way it's essential - zipping up coats, lining up nicely, taking turns, following instructions all more important. If they can great - keep encouraging a love of stories and reading.
Dd2 is also an Oct baby so was nearly 5 starting school

Seriously no they can’t. And a decent preschool shouldn’t have been encouraging any more than a bit of child led phonics recognition.

School will start from the basics of phonics with everyone.

Focus on making sure she can get changed, go to the toilet, eat with cutlery etc. Read with her lots and help her recognise her name.

People lie or over exaggerate. It’s like when they say their baby sleeps through the night at 6 weeks old. Lies.