What is a strong predictor of difficulty with reading?

Inability to rhyme is a strong predictor of difficulty with reading because phonemic awareness, which includes the ability to manipulate sounds in words, is foundational for reading success. Rhyming requires the recognition of similar sounds, which is a key component of understanding how language works at a deeper level. Children who struggle with rhyming typically have not developed the essential skills needed to decode words and recognize phonetic patterns, making it more difficult for them to read effectively.

In contrast, while lack of interest in reading, attendance issues, and frequent school changes may contribute to challenges in literacy, they are often more related to external factors rather than the intrinsic skill sets required for reading. Interest in reading can be fostered, and attendance issues may affect overall learning but do not directly indicate the cognitive skills that are critical for reading. Frequent school changes can disrupt learning but do not inherently predict a child’s ability to decode or comprehend written text in the same way that rhyming skills do.