I also think those claims are ridiculous. The research I've done indicates that reading increases vocabulary and understanding and once the process begins, if continually encouraged, the difference can't be made up. The reader is constantly acquiring new information creating a scenario where others will always be one or two or three steps behind. I suppose it is not impossible but it is highly unlikely. If your child is a voracious reader at five, as my daughter was, there is no way other kids will catch her. By the time they start acquiring the vocabulary she had by Kindergarten she'll be on to other things. Reading is not just about the act of reading. It is learning and gives children such a tremendous advantage. My daughter knows everything there is to know about Greek Gods because she love the Rick Riordan series. She is not only reading she is taking an ancient culture class. Kids might even out by high school or even junior high if you have some late bloomers but devouring everything they can find at five and never letting up is something that can't be caught and it is silly to say that it can. I agree with Chris kids are different and why schools always seems to knock down special talents to make others feel better is beyond me.
Nobody would ever say oh well they're all good at Math by 4th grade. I don't know reading is such a punching bag. My daughter often struggles with more difficult math concepts and I would never diminish the talents of those kids who light up when calculating or judging quantities so why is it always done with reading.
Sorry for the rant but just once I would like the example to be designed to prop up my daughter's fragile ego rather than tear it down.
