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National assessments show that many children find reading difficult. The early years, roughly ages 4 to 6, are when the foundations are laid: talk, sounds, letters and a love of stories. Parents can make a real contribution at home.
In this guide
What the national data show
In the 2024 The Nation's Report Card: 2024 Reading Assessment, around three in ten US fourth-grade students scored at or above the “Proficient” level in reading, and about four in ten scored below “Basic”. These figures describe performance against demanding national standards, but they show that a large share of children need more support with reading.
Why the early years matter
Children who start school with strong oral language, phonemic awareness and letter-sound knowledge generally find learning to read easier. Children who find reading hard early on may read less, so the gap can widen over time; psychologist Keith Stanovich (1986) called this the “Matthew Effect”. Early support does not guarantee any outcome, but it is widely recommended.
The foundations of reading
The National Reading Panel: Teaching Children to Read identified five key components of reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. For ages 4–6, the focus is mainly on the first two, alongside lots of talk and shared stories. In England, schools teach systematic synthetic phonics, as described in the The reading framework.
Reading readiness checklist
Reading readiness checklist (ages 4–6)
Tick what you have noticed. Children develop at different rates.
0 of 6 ticked
What you can do at home
- Read together every day and talk about the story.
- Play rhyming and sound games.
- Practise letter sounds your child is learning at school.
- Help your child blend sounds into simple words.
- Keep it short, playful and positive.
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About RTL English Level 2 (Ready To Read, ages 4–6)
According to the seller, Level 2 is a digital home learning pack of 36 printable workbooks with 1,767 exercises, 979 activities and 810 notes for parents, designed for children aged 4–6. We have not tested it ourselves, and individual results vary.
See RTL English Level 2 on the seller’s site →
Prices, sales and refund terms change. Check the current price and the seller’s guarantee terms before buying. This is an affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
Does a low national score mean my child is behind?
No. National data describe large groups. Your child’s teacher is best placed to tell you how they are progressing.
How early should I start?
Sharing books and talking can start from birth. Letter sounds and blending are usually introduced around 4–5, often at school.
Is there a guarantee on RTL English?
The seller advertises a satisfaction guarantee, but its pages show differing terms. Check the current terms before buying.
Are home programmes necessary?
No. Daily shared reading and simple games are valuable on their own. Structured programmes are an optional extra.
Affiliate resource
About RTL English Level 2 (Ready To Read, ages 4–6)
According to the seller, Level 2 is a digital home learning pack of 36 printable workbooks with 1,767 exercises, 979 activities and 810 notes for parents, designed for children aged 4–6. We have not tested it ourselves, and individual results vary.
See RTL English Level 2 on the seller’s site →
Prices, sales and refund terms change. Check the current price and the seller’s guarantee terms before buying. This is an affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Sources and further reading
- The Nation's Report Card: 2024 Reading Assessment (NAEP, grades 4 and 8)
- National Reading Panel: Teaching Children to Read (NICHD, 2000)
- The reading framework (Department for Education, England)
- National Literacy Trust: support for parents and families
Last reviewed October 2026.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to RTL English. If you buy through them, JNR Epic Tales may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We have not tested RTL English ourselves; product details come from the seller’s website, and individual results vary. This article is general educational information. If you are worried about your child’s reading, speak to their teacher, school or a qualified specialist.