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Birth 1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4th Year 5th Year 6th Year
BIRTH
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
BIRTH
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
BIRTH
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1 year
X
BIRTH – Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
BIRTH
X
Just Getting Started – What’s Typical: No exposure to written words. Parents talk and coo with baby.
1st Year
X
First Words Begin– What’s Typical: Children begin saying a few simple words. Reading isn’t introduced.
2nd Year
X
Vocabulary Growth– What’s Typical: Children speak in short phrases. No consistent exposure to written words.
3rd year
X
Language Development– What’s Typical: Focus is still on speaking and listening. Few know any words by sight.
4th year
X
Pre-K Concepts Introduced– What’s Typical: Some letter recognition begins. Reading is still not expected.
5th year
X
Early Reading Skills Begin– What’s Typical: Children start learning letters and sounds—often for the first time.
6th year
X
Reading Instruction Begins in School– What’s Typical: Formal literacy instruction typically starts. Many children are behind.
Year 0 – The Window Opens
X
Your baby’s brain is a sponge! Even before they say their first word, they are absorbing everything you say. Their brain is already wiring itself for reading—if you start exposing them to words now!" What to Do: Talk constantly, use rich vocabulary, sing your favorite songs.
Year 1 – Rapid Growth Begins
X
Your child understands hundreds of words before they even speak! With early exposure, they can start recognizing simple words by sight as early as 12–18 months." What to Do:Label objects. Show the word "Ball" while holding a ball. Label everything in their world.
Year 2 – 75% of Brain Development Is Complete
X
Most toddlers are just starting to speak—but with early exposure, they can recognize words in books and around the home!" What to Do: Use word books and matching videos daily. Slide your finger left to right as you read.
Year 3 – Peak Learning Zone
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While others are learning to talk, your child is learning to read. They recognize words on sight and may read simple books with support." What to Do: Consistency is KING. Move on after mastery, and always review past books.
Year 4 – Independent Reading Begins
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Your child is reading! They recognize hundreds of words, sound out new ones, and retell stories." What to Do: Encourage daily reading aloud, writing, and decoding practice.
Year 5 – 90% Brain Development Is Complete
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Your child is READING TO LEARN. They read early chapter books and explain what they read. Many reach a 2nd–4th grade reading level before kindergarten." What to Do: Introduce chapter books and comprehension check-ins.
Year 6 – Final Stretch: The Window Closes
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By age 6, the natural language window begins closing. But with the Word-First Method™, older children can still make rapid progress." What to Do: Stay consistent. Use the One Word at a Time Method™ and celebrate every win.

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The Alarming Truth About Early Literacy in the USA

  • 1 in 3 American children start Kindergarten without the skills necessary for lifelong learning.
  • Students who struggle with reading by third grade are 4x more likely to drop out of high school.
  • By age nine, reading difficulties become significantly harder to remediate, making early intervention essential.