Are lots of pre-reception 4 year olds reading ?

Hahaha always a laugh a minute on Mumsnet

No 4 year olds can't read. It takes practice time and patience. They need to learn to recognise all the letters.

Sure some 4 year olds can possibly read a book that has been read to them or that they have learned maybe recognise words like dog, and etc but no give them any random text and they won't be able to read it.

A lot of countries don't have kids start school until 6 and there is a reason why. Mine went from unable to read to being able to read novels and comics (captain underpants etc) in a year due to the way they learned and starting a lot later.

As a former reception teacher I've come across very few children who could actually read before starting school in the past decade.

I have however come across hundreds of children who couldn't dress themselves, put their coat on, hold a pencil correctly, use the toilet independently or take turns all of which are much more important for school readiness than reading.

OP my DD couldn’t read anything before starting reception except her name. She’s doing really well.

None of mine have been reading before school and by the first half term they’ve picked it up and are all well ahead of their reading age. There’s plenty of time for them to learn this stuff.

This is reading.

Neither of mine could (except to recognise their names) and both were ‘free readers’ by the end of Y2. Not what I would focus on. I’d worry more about personal hygiene (bottom wiping and hand washing), clothing (buttons are a nightmare) and taking turns.

A lot of kids that age can memorize their favourite books and that can be interpreted as reading. I don't think many can actually read beyond recognising the odd word.

Some children can definitely read before school. My DS was August-born so 4 years and 2 weeks when he started and he could read very well and had excellent comprehension. But he’s a real outlier. DD could decode a fair few words and had a decent grasp of phonic sounds, and also understood what she was reading. That’s more normal. Plenty of children don’t know any sounds or letters and that’s normal too.

No, please don’t try and teach your child to read before reception, it is completely unnecessary. Some children start school reading but that should be because they’ve worked it out through normal reading activities, not because they have been pressured at a young age.

Personal independence skills are far more important for a reception starter.

If you want to concentrate on something concentrate on life skills e.g recognising name, putting clothes on/off without help, buttons, zips, wiping nose, taking lids off pots, using cutlery correctly.

A lot of teachers spend a lot of time with teachers unpicking what what meaning parents have taught so it can mean those children are at a disadvantage, despite their parents believing otherwise.

Some will be able to recognise words - rather than actually read them.
Ones they see a lot like Milk, Tesco, Bus Stop, Corn Flakes, Disney etc.
But they aren't really "reading".

I would take those comments with a hefty handful of salt.

No you don't need to do anything at the moment to teach your child to read, other than read to her, take an interest when she names letters when you're out and about, let her chat about phonics and so on.

Being ready for reception is more about being able to recognise your own shoes and coat and know how to put them on independently, being able to sit still for short periods, share, take turns and follow instructions most of the time, being able to get along with other children.

If your dd is going that - or nearly - she'll be good to go.

Some children will be able to read, some will have grasped the basics and some won't read until they're a bit older. All are with the realms of "normal". As long as you look at books together, read her stories and help her recognise stuff when she asks, she's all good.

Competitive parenting has been around for a loooong time. Don't get caught up in that shit, as all it does is cause you worry and stress.