In a recent post, comedian Lisa Harper candidly discussed her choice not to teach her 5-year-old son to read just yet. She shared, “We read to him every day, diving into adventures like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory and getting lost in the world of Harry Potter. Our focus is on nurturing his love for stories and characters, not on pushing him to read.”
Lisa elaborated on the invaluable lessons she is teaching her son—like how to be a good sport, how to build things, the importance of caring for his belongings, and how to make friends. These are essential life skills that can’t be learned from phonics worksheets or spelling drills.
While she has received both support and criticism for her approach, it highlights a broader conversation about early literacy expectations. As someone with a background in educational policy, I can attest to how dramatically the standards for young learners have changed in recent years. Just a decade ago, kindergarten was about play and social skills, but now it often resembles an academic boot camp.
A 2014 study from the University of Virginia revealed that the percentage of kindergarten teachers expecting students to read by the end of the year skyrocketed from 31% in 1998 to nearly 80% by 2010. This shift has left many parents feeling pressured to have their children reading by a certain age, despite the fact that research suggests that kids who learn to read later are not at a disadvantage.
Countries like Finland, which delay formal academic instruction until age 6 or 7, consistently outperform the U.S. in educational achievements. This suggests that play and exploration are far more beneficial for young minds than early reading drills.
Erika Christakis, an early childhood researcher, emphasizes that children learn best in environments that foster creativity and exploration rather than in rigid, worksheet-heavy classrooms. As Lisa aptly points out, “While there will be a time for phonics and math, right now, he has more important things to learn.”
As my own son prepares to start kindergarten next week, I am confident that his extra year of play will serve him well. So, if your child isn’t reading in kindergarten, there’s no need to panic. Each child develops at their own pace, and the focus should be on fostering a love for learning rather than adhering to arbitrary timelines.
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In summary, there’s no rush for young children to learn to read. Focus on social skills, play, and exploration—these experiences are foundational for future learning.