Pre-reading at its gentlest: children connect spoken words to pictures, point and repeat after listening, and meet their first sight words — building the listening, sound-awareness, and print habits that reading stands on.
Pre-K (approx. ages 3–4) · approximate gradeKumon Reading Level 7A (Word–Picture Connections) is the 1st of 26 levels in the Kumon reading program, where children learn pre-reading at its gentlest: children connect spoken words to pictures, point and repeat after listening, and meet their first sight words — building the listening, sound-awareness, and print habits that reading stands on. It typically aligns with pre-k (approx. ages 3–4) reading work, though Kumon places children by ability rather than age, so the grade is a guide, not a rule.
Level 7A starts the Kumon reading sequence and prepares children for Reading Level 6A: Rhymes & Early Phrases. It is one of 26 Kumon reading levels covered in this independent parent guide series.
This is an independent parent guide, not an official curriculum or placement assessment. Topics and pace can vary; your child's instructor can confirm their current work.
Read one passage together, then let your child try the next one alone. A few small exercises to try together — let your child attempt each one first, then use these prompts when they need a nudge.
Original examples written for parents — not scanned worksheets or reproduced passages.
Say: Say the word slowly and clearly so the sound is easy to hear.
Say: Let them point to the matching picture.
Say: Praise the match, then say the word together one more time.
The apple picture
Say: Say each word slowly, stretching the first sound: sss-un, b-ball, sss-ock.
Say: Ask: which two start with the same sss sound?
Answer together: sun and sock.
sun and sock
Short, calm, and daily beats long and pressured. These small habits make Level 7A stick — pick one and start tonight.