What age do children start reading in their heads

[mutable]

allowing for variation in development, of course. When do they usually read silently to themselves?
And how do you know they're reading correctly, and understanding things if they're reading in their heads?

Mine both 5ish, but I guess it differs. Mine have both enjoyed reading from an early age. I just feign massive interest in story and get them to recount what the story was about. Then get them to find me the word on the page that meant 'x' or 'y'. But mine didn't read silently all the time at that age, and still enjoy reading alout most of the time.

DS (6) is starting to do this. I can tell because his lips still move and occasionally he says a word!! I'll also know he's done it because we'll pick up a "new" book and he'll tell me what happens in the story.

Thank you. DD did it this morning, and I was a little surprised, though I know from conversations with her that she has a strong internal monologue, so presumably the 'reading voice' (for want of a better term) is quite strong.

I think it's usually more at the stage of reading than an age thing. Get the impression from things that it's often around stage 6 to 8 in ORT but that might be wrong.

Was around ORT 8 for ds (yr 1) but he does sometimes still sort of mutter quietly as he reads.

Leave them to it when reading their own books to themselves but if they are reading their school reading book get them to read it out loud still.

DD 1, has been doing it since she was 6.

Hard to tell with dd1 - she's looked at books in silence since she was a baby, so not sure at what point she started reading words rather than picture gazing! She's 6 now, just started Y2, and does definitely read to herself in silence now - but plenty of her friends don't. Depends on reading level, I think.

DD is 4 and does - although her reading is v good. You don't know they are getting it right unless you ask comprehension questions (which you cant all the time I guess) - it's still important to hear them reading out loud as well I think.