Between 6 and 12 years old, children learn to read by separating every step of the reading process (decoding, tracking, assembling, etc.). They need to understand different types of texts, then react to them, and appreciate them, in order to read in a seamless manner and become skilled readers.
Several research papers mention the difficulty students have in understanding texts (Giasson, 2011 ; Nadon, 2011 ; RCRLA, 2009) and automating the reading process (Thévenaz-Christen, 2014). Additional studies show that one of the various conditions required to learn to read is not always met, and that many children arrive in school with lacking literacy skills, due in part to some vulnerability in the family setting (single-parent family, low-income, etc.).
Source: Faire équipe avec les parents – Toute une communauté pour former les lecteurs de demain!