The 2-Minute Reading Risk Check

In 2 minutes you'll see where your child is on 5 early reading milestones — and one thing worth doing this week. Built by a 25-year kindergarten teacher. Free. No sign-up until the end.

What's your child's first name?

How old is your child?

A

3

B

4

C

5

D

6

E

7

If you ask your child, "What rhymes with cat?" — what happens?

A

They say hat, bat, mat — usually several in a row.

B

They say one rhyme, or take a while to get one.

C

They say a word that doesn't rhyme, or look confused.

If you ask your child, 'What's the first sound in snake?' what do they say?

A

They say /s/ (just the sound).

B

They say "snake" again, or say "sss-nake."

C

They say a different sound, or don't understand the question.

Can your child name most uppercase letters when shown out of order (not A-B-C)?

A

Yes, almost all of them.

B

Yes, about half.

C

Some letters, but mixes them up.

D

Only a few letters, or only in alphabet-song order.

If you point to the letter M and ask your child, 'What sound does this make?' — can they answer?

A

Yes, for most letters.

B

For some.

C

For a few letters only.

D

They say the letter name but don't know the sound, or don't know either.

If you say '/c/ - /a/ - /t/,' can your child put it together and say 'cat'?

A

Yes, usually gets it right with short words.

B

Sometimes, with effort or with visual support.

C

No, or they repeat the sounds back instead of blending.

When your child 'reads' a familiar book, what happens if you cover the pictures?

A

They can still read most of it — they're looking at the words.

B

They get through some words but look stuck without pictures.

C

They stop, lose the story, or recite from memory without looking at the page.

When you read together, does your child follow the words with their eyes (or finger) left to right across the page?

A

Yes, they track each line.

B

Sometimes, or only on the first line.

C

No, their eyes wander or they focus on pictures only.

When your child encounters a tricky word, how do they react?

A

They try to sound it out, ask for help, or guess from context.

B

They skip it, get quiet, or say they're tired.

C

They get upset, shut down, or refuse to keep reading.

Does anyone in your child's immediate or extended family have a diagnosed reading difference (dyslexia, dysgraphia, language processing), or did a parent/sibling struggle to learn to read?

A

No known history.

B

Maybe — someone in the family was a "late reader" or "never liked reading.

C

Yes, a close family member has a diagnosed reading difference.

Set aside what the school says. What does your gut tell you?

A

My child is right on track.

B

Something feels off, but I can't name it.

C

I'm worried. I've been worried for a while.