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This is why some parents start buying flashcards and reading scheme books barely before their children have left their nappies. So, at what age should children be reading and, more importantly, what can you do as a parent to make sure that your child gets off to a flying start?
Let's start by drawing a deep breath. Yes, there are some children who seem to decode books very early on. But equally, there is plenty of evidence to show that children who start later quickly catch up and often overtake them. This is because learning to read is a little like the fable of the hare and tortoise. The only difference is that this race lasts years, not hours.
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