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Bookiemom is 100% correct! Developmentally appropriate is the key. This morning I assessed a preschooler whose Mom is very concerned that at 3.5 years her D isn't saying her /r/ sounds correctly and the preschool told her that her D needs speech therapy--the /r/ is a later developing sound and isn't mastered until about age 7-- (I am a speech/language pathologist).
The key is to keeping your daughter interested in learning, excited about learning and motivated to learn to read. She is only 7 and needs to master the basics before jumping to chapter books. At this point I'd recommend becoming a fixture at the library and have the librarian help her select books at her reading level. the more she enjoys reading the more she will read! If you are seeing progress with sight words, and if she is beginning to sound words out she is on the right track.
HOWEVER--you really may want to consider looking at a school that focuses on developmentally appropriate reading instead of chapter books for 1st grade. Look up your state standards for education and you'll see what is expected in 1st grade. If you are looking at private schools just keep in mind that most states don't require private school teachers to hold credentials so you may also be dealing with teachers who don't have the training to modify teaching instruction based on the individual needs of a child's learning style.
I hope this makes sense and adds a little fuel for thought.
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