My 6 year-old grandson who is in the first grade was taught the trop at the same time he was being taught Chumash. The bottom line is that when he says the Pesukim he has studies in yeshiva, he says each word with the trop. I think this makes it easier for him to remember the Pesukim.
When he davens, he says Shma with the trop!
I can only wonder why this is not done in all yeshivas.
When it will come time for him to lein at his Bar Mitzvah, it should be much easier for him than for those boys who are taught Chumash without the trop.
YL
llevine@stevens.edu