When should a child start reading, and how do you help without pressure?

There is wide normal variation — some children read at four, others at seven, and early reading is not a strong predictor of later ability. What consistently helps: reading aloud daily from infancy, which builds vocabulary and the understanding that print carries meaning; letting them choose books, including ones you find repetitive; and talking about stories rather than testing comprehension. In multilingual homes, reading in any language supports the skill. Pressure is counterproductive because it associates reading with anxiety. Persistent difficulty beyond seven or eight, especially with a family history, is worth assessing for dyslexia.