Learning to read is built on a foundation of language skills that children start to learn at birth--a process that is both complicated and amazing. Most children develop certain skills as they move through early stages of learning language. By age 7, most children are reading.

The following list of accomplishments is based on current scientific research in fields of reading, early childhood education, and child development. Studies continue in their fields, and there is still much still to learn. As you look over accomplishments, keep in mind that children vary a great deal in how they develop and learn.

If you have questions or concerns about your child's progress, talk with child's doctor, teacher, or a speech and language therapist. For children with any kind of disability or learning problem, sooner they can get special help they need, easier it will be for them to learn.

From birth to age 3, most babies and toddlers become able to:

You can help by supporting her in her first language as she learns English. Talk with her, read with her, encourage her to draw and write. In other words, do same kinds of activities just discussed, but do them in your child's first language.