At what age does Chall's reading Stage 0 occur, and what is a key characteristic of this stage?

Chall's reading Stage 0 occurs during the developmental period of 6 months to 6 years old. This stage is characterized by language appreciation and the early steps of literacy development, where children engage in activities like pretending to read and enjoying stories. During this phase, young children become familiar with the rhythm and structure of language, often through exposure to books and storytelling. They may start to recognize patterns and sounds in speech, laying the groundwork for future reading skills.

This stage is crucial as it fosters a love for reading and language, which is essential for later stages of literacy development. By engaging with texts and attempting to interpret stories, children begin to understand the concept of print and develop phonemic awareness, even if they are not reading independently yet.