Reading development is a crucial part of a child’s ability to succeed in school. If a child is struggling to read at grade level, let alone being able to read at all, it can have a major impact on their ability to learn. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the effect reading to a child from birth to age five has on their readiness to read and learn when they begin school. The researcher investigated and researched literature that discussed the significance reading to a child at an early age has on their early literacy development. The teacher’s role in the development as well as the parent’s role was researched. A survey was sent to a random sampling of parents’ of Title 1 students and regular education students at Washington Elementary School. The parents answered questions about reading habits with their children birth to age five. This study did reveal a central phenomenon and themes about reading patterns with parents and children from age birth to age five