Setting the Foundation for Reading: The Essential Steps, Milestones, and Support for Early Literacy

Written by Jesse Willingham, OD

Helping children develop strong reading skills isn’t just about teaching them to read words—it’s about introducing them to vocabulary, sounds, and visual cues that together make up the world of reading. Building these foundations early provides children with a significant advantage as they grow into lifelong learners. Here, we’ll explore the core building blocks of reading, critical developmental milestones, and what parents can do to support children who may struggle.

1. The Three Pillars of Reading

To read effectively, children must grasp three primary concepts:

  • Vocabulary – Understanding what words mean
  • Phonics – Recognizing how words sound
  • Visual Recognition – Recognizing words by their appearance

child reading

The Link Between Vision and Reading

By reading with children at a young age, you immerse them in these essential components. Even though conversations, television, and music expose children to words and sounds, they don’t typically teach them to visually recognize words. That’s why shared reading time is vital: it’s a structured way to introduce children to the meanings, sounds, and visuals of language, creating a full sensory experience that helps them connect words with concepts and emotions.

read with your baby!

2. The Developmental Milestones That Support Reading

Reading requires not only cognitive skills but also sensory and motor development. For instance:

  • 6-12 months: Babies who can hold their heads steady and reach for toys are laying groundwork for later abilities, like turning pages or maintaining focus on text. Active “looking” and responding to pictures also help prepare their brains for understanding images and words.
  • 12-18 months: Around this time, children begin sitting unassisted, gathering information more by looking and touching than mouthing. They start identifying objects in books by pointing, which is the first sign they’re beginning to connect language with visual cues.

When a child hasn’t reached some of these milestones or struggles with reading by school age, seeking a team of professionals can offer valuable insights. Because learning in school is heavily visual, developmental optometrists can assess children for visual skills beyond basic acuity. They look at factors like visual motor skills, visual processing, and binocular vision—factors often missed in standard eye exams. Additionally, hearing testing and assessments by pediatric physical, occupational, and speech therapists may uncover other issues affecting literacy. With this team approach, each specialist can guide families to the next step in supporting their child’s growth.

3. Understanding Reading Timelines

Reading begins at different ages for every child, with most developing reading skills to some degree by age 7. Some children may appear behind simply because they’re on a different, but still normal, timeline. In these cases, patience is key. Young children often make tremendous progress in short periods. For children slightly behind, a professional can provide targeted strategies and therapies to help them catch up.

4. Recognizing Dyslexia and Other Reading Challenges

A reading disability, like dyslexia, is rarely diagnosed before age 7, as early struggles with reading can often be attributed to normal developmental variations. If you suspect dyslexia, it’s wise to first rule out any addressable issues, such as visual processing disorder, speech, nutrition, or sleep problems, all of which can affect classroom performance. Consulting professionals early can help rule out these factors, leading to more accurate diagnoses and effective interventions.

5. Reading Sets the Stage for Lifelong Learning

There’s an often-used adage in education: “Before third grade, you learn to read; after third grade, you read to learn.” Mastering reading unlocks the door to other subjects. Imagine a child relying on audiobooks due to poor reading skills. Simple reading assignments take twice as long, and research projects feel overwhelming. Children who work on their reading challenges and develop good reading skills feel more empowered in school and in life. In my practice, I’ve seen patients go from auditory to visual learners by addressing vision issues, which transforms their academic experience.

6. Fostering a Reading Culture at Home

Children look to their parents as role models, and when parents visibly value reading, kids are more likely to see reading as enjoyable and worthwhile. Making time to read together and reading for yourself in their presence can have a big impact on how your child views reading. When children view reading positively, they’re more motivated to tackle any reading challenges with enthusiasm, patience, and resilience.

As a developmental optometrist, I encourage parents to bring in children who are struggling with reading. Educational assessments—be they for reading, IQ, or learning disabilities—depend on strong visual skills, yet they don’t test for vision issues directly. If we find a vision problem, we can address it head-on. If not, I can recommend further evaluation with other professionals, armed with insights from the vision assessment.

Before settling for temporary accommodations or diving into interventions for language processing difficulties, consider exploring potential underlying causes that could have lasting solutions. Addressing these root causes now can make a lifetime of difference, empowering children to reach their full potential as readers, learners, and thinkers.

Dr. Jesse evaluating a young patient's eyes in the perceptual evaluation

Dr. Jesse evaluating a young patient’s eyes in the perceptual evaluation