Nancy Young, Ed.D.
Reading | Writing | Learning
Infographic
Dr. Nancy Young IS the creator of the ladder of reading & writing infographic.
2026 Update Now Available!
The Ladder of Reading & Writing
The Ladder of Reading & Writing© is an infographic Nancy created in 2012 to visually represent the ease at which children learn to read and write and the instructional implications of that wide range.
Evolving over the years as Nancy strove to ensure her wording and features represented the essential messages as clearly as possible, the 2026 update is the most current. Nancy’s The Ladder of Reading & Writing is recognized widely in the field as a “translational framework”. It encapsulates extensive research and is designed to build an understanding of the wide range of learning needs, from those for whom climbing the Ladder is challenging to those who read early and easily. An overview of the 2026 update can be found HERE
Nancy’s Ladder of Reading & Writing provided the lens for the 2024 book “Climbing THE LADDER OF READING & WRITING: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners” (2024), co-edited by Nancy Young and Jan Hasbrouck. Learn more about the book (and where to purchase) HERE.
USAGE PERMISSIONS
Would you like to use The Ladder of Reading & Writing infographic in a presentation or another context?
Please click HERE for usage/permission
guidelines and forms.
The Ladder of Reading & Writing
may not be changed or modified.
NOTE: The infographic was updated in May 2026. If you are referencing older versions of Nancy’s infographic – please discontinue. If you previously obtained permission from Nancy to use an older version in an ongoing capacity, please contact Nancy to confirm that you have continued permission and have switched to the 2026 update.
(Please read usage/permission guidelines
before downloading the Ladder)
THE INFOGRAPHIC HAS BEEN TRANSLATED!
As The Ladder of Reading & Writing has grown in popularity internationally, it has become available in other languages.
The 2023 version of the infographic is available in three alternate languages:
French, Spanish and Icelandic
(Note: translations will soon be revised to reflect the 2026 changes to the ladder.)
Special recognition to esteemed colleagues who were instrumental to the development of these translations of The Ladder of Reading & Writing and accompanying documents of terminology:
Isabelle Duquennois (French)
María José Schmidt (Spanish)
Guðbjörg R. Þórisdóttir, Auður Björgvinsdóttir
& Team (Icelandic)
NOTE: All copyright and usage limitations apply to the The Ladder of Reading &
Writing in all languages. See above for usage permission guidelines.
The Ladder of Reading & Writing References (Summary)
usage/permission guidelines
The Ladder of Reading & Writing Terminology Defined
What People Are Saying About The Infographic
Your infographic creates a type of instantaneous psychological relief for teachers. Most of us teacher folk are committed to ALL our students. Nature and its marvelous diversity of abilities can make teachers feel like instruction for all will make us lose our minds. Your infographic rapidly helps teachers feel that all the joys AND frustrations of our daily, teaching lives can be captured on one page; can be comprehended. Between the ever-changing schedules, continuous interruptions and life events of our students, our families and ourselves– at least we have a literacy map to anchor our purpose. What a psychological relief!
Your infographic is by far the most engaging and time effective way to illustrate differences in reading acquisition, along with reference to the school and home /within child influence. So clear, so simple, so helpful.
Dean Stanton
Artist / Illustrator
Dean Stanton’s art of smiling children climbing a ladder first appeared in the 2017 version of Nancy’s infographic. Dean was clearly the perfect person to illustrate the cover of the new book, Climbing THE LADDER OF READING & WRITING: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners. Dean’s art also features throughout the book itself! Over the last 10 years Dean’s funky art has appeared in many of Nancy’s presentations, and his illustrations depicted the fun skill-based actions in Nancy’s previous book on movement and learning (currently being revised). Dean’s generous spirit is well known in his hometown of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and his talent is recognized internationally.