Learning to read before starting school?

[verywiseowl]

Someone I know is teaching her (just) 3 year old to read. Not because the 3 year old is wanting to do so AFAIK, but because the mum thinks it will give her a head start when she start school.

I deliberately didn't teach my DS (now in Reception) on the basis that I'd rather he did it at the same time and in the same way as his class mates. Although TBH there's no way he would have been receptive to formal teaching anyway and I'd probably have scared him off reading or life.

Are there any specific advantages (or disadvantages) in teaching a pre-school child to read?

Hi - must share my moment of pride with you all - my DS read her first 3 letter words today - a run of about 20 or so and she just kept saying "can I read more mummy?". Lovely to watch - she sounded out the letters then paused and I could almost hear those neurones connecting in her brain as she said the words - plus her own sense of pride so evident in her smile. I think teaching a child to read at whatever age should be celebrated without concern. My DS is 3y2m and when she starts school next year I have no doubt that by having a "head start" in reading she will gain much more from all the other experiences school brings without feeling understimulated. Reading opens up the world to children, allows them to make more sense of their environment and of course stimulates the imagination - can't see any disadvantages in this.