What do you think about teaching pre-schoolers reading?

[Caththerese1973]

Hi
I was just curious what people thought about teaching pre-schoolers to read. My daughter is nearly four and just about to start to kindy, but I've never tried to teach her to read (beyond singing the 'Alphabet Song' they used to show on Sesame Street when I was young - what a shame they don't do that anymore! I STILL have to sing it to myself sometimes so I can remember whether 'o' is before or after 'p'....). I have read a lot of stories to my daughter, and she can write quite a few letters, but this is all off her own bat, or maybe her daycare lady has shown her how to do some letters - I've never shown her how to write a letter except for the letter 'H' (the first letter of dd's name). I don't think she knows which letters they are, either: she's just become very used to seeing printed words because of all the story books.
I was inclined to think it best NOT to intervene and try and teach my pre-schooler to read, as I really have no idea how to start, and fear that whatever approach I take might just confuse her when she starts proper school. But the other day I visited my aunt, who is a retired primary school teacher, and she has actually taught her 2.5 y/o how to read a little bit, or at least how to recognise a few words (eg 'Mum', 'Dad', 'Nana', 'Hi' etc). My aunt suggested I should try the same thing with my own child, as she seemed to think it would give her an advantage. Also, according to my aunt reading is not taught as effectively as it used to be, and in her view, if one wants to guarantee a child's literacy in later years, it is best to start very young. We live in Australia and the there is indeed a big problem here with childhood illiteracy here (I know most Mumsnet posters are from the UK: the school system might be better there).
I'm not at all a pushy Mum, or determined that my child has to prove herself a genius, but like any mother, I naturally want my child to learn to read and be reading at an age-appropriate level as she gets older (sadly, many kids in Australia are well below the age-appropriate level reading-wise).
What do other parents think?

frances - on the whole you are right and I know it, but making choices is about finding a balance that is acceptable for individual circumstances. There other methods of socialising and preparing kids for school other than reception if you FEEL you really have to and can afford to eg part time montessori. I did say that the Yr 1 route wouldn't be palatable to all. And it was certainly not a decision taken lightly. State education does a great job for the majority but it is really hard for it to meet the needs of individuals with different requirements if the children are in a large school. Most people have to put up with that. I chose to opt out of it instead because I was in a position where I could.

My sister taught me to read and write before I got to school. I learned alphabet and letters by playing "schools" with her. Though mum also taught me the alphabet song.

My sister would read to me every night, often more than one story. She used different voices for each character, and sound effects. She would run her finger along with the words as she read to me. I wasn't ever aware of learning how to read. It was something I kind of picked up, so it was always fun and easy learning this way.

I hope to pass on this love of reading to ds. He's still a bit young, but likes to hear the rhyming of simple books.