Should I teach my child to read before kindergarten?

There's no evidence that early formal reading instruction leads to long-term academic advantages — most children aren't developmentally ready for phonics until age 5–6. What DOES help: reading aloud daily, singing songs, playing rhyming games, and letting them 'pretend read' by turning pages and telling the story. Build a love of books and language rather than drilling letters. Some children teach themselves early, which is fine, but there's no need to push it. Discuss kindergarten readiness with your pediatrician.