person marking check on opened book

Free Checklist: Beginning Reading Skills

Knowing where your child is in their reading development is an important first step in helping them become a skilled reader. Read Where You Are has a FREE reading skills checklist to help you! 

The Beginning Reading Skills Checklist is a convenient tool that helpfully lists out each foundational word recognition skill a child needs to become a skilled reader. This list generally describes the reading skills that are expected by the end of first grade, but please remember that children are not checklists. This list is just meant to be a helpful tool to help you track your child’s reading progress. 

Read more about the research that is behind the creation of this checklist here

You might also find our blog, Is My Child Behind in Reading? helpful as you go through this checklist. 

If you come away from the checklist with more questions than answers about how to help your child’s reading development, I am here to help! Check out the blog and resources page, or send me an email

A quick reading assessment for phonological awareness (it’s FREE here), foundational skills, or letter patterns could be immensely helpful in determining what’s next for your child’s reading development. Assessments help you pinpoint where your child is in their reading development so that you can do something about it. 

Another option is the comprehensive bundle, it grants you access to all Read Where You Are Assessments PLUS a custom tutoring plan for your child. Consider purchasing an Individualized Reading Plan Bundle. Here’s what one parent said after their purchase: 

“Madeleine was eager to help and is so knowledgeable in helping children to read. She is passionate about the science of reading and it really came across as I worked with her. She was available to answer my questions and guide me to better help my daughter! I definitely recommend working with her!” – Kathryn N. 

I would love to help you and your child as well! Every Read Where You Are resource is created by me (Madeleine)! I am a former Kindergarten and First Grade teacher with a Masters in Reading Education. I love teaching children to read and now I want to help you confidently teach your child to read! 

I hope this reading skills checklist helps you move forward in this reading journey! And without further ado, here is your FREE Beginning Reading Skills Checklist! I hope this tool is very helpful for your family. Please reach out with any questions!