When to Teach Sight Words

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Not every child is ready for sight words at the same time, and that’s okay! Here are a few ways to gauge if a child is ready to start learning sight words.

If a child has developmentally been on track for other milestones such as crawling, walking, and talking, then odds are they will be ready for sight words at age 5.

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In fact, in many states in the US, the curriculum for sight words does not start until Kindergarten, with the only “sight word” requirement for reading and writing in Pre-K being their own name.

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Before teaching sight words, make sure the child can identify most letters and their initial sound.

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You can also check letter and letter sound knowledge by holding up a flashcard with a letter, and see if the child can correctly tell you the letter name and sound it makes.

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Phonemic Knowledge

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Children should be able to produce rhymes and segment words into their individual sounds, or phonemes. For example, when you orally give them the word “ship” they should be able to break it into 3 parts: /sh/ /i/ /p/.

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When to Teach Sight Words

Not every child is ready for sight words at the same time, and that’s okay! Here are a few ways to gauge if a child is ready to start learning sight words.

Not every child is ready for sight words at the same time, and that’s okay! Here are a few ways to gauge if a child is ready to start learning sight words.

If a child has developmentally been on track for other milestones such as crawling, walking, and talking, then odds are they will be ready for sight words at age 5.

AGE

AGE

In fact, in many states in the US, the curriculum for sight words does not start until Kindergarten, with the only “sight word” requirement for reading and writing in Pre-K being their own name.

Before teaching sight words, make sure the child can identify most letters and their initial sound.

Letter Knowledge

Letter Knowledge

You can also check letter and letter sound knowledge by holding up a flashcard with a letter, and see if the child can correctly tell you the letter name and sound it makes.

Phonemic Knowledge

Phonemic Knowledge

Children should be able to produce rhymes and segment words into their individual sounds, or phonemes. For example, when you orally give them the word “ship” they should be able to break it into 3 parts: /sh/ /i/ /p/.

Learn More