[fintstone]

My parents only graduated from high school. I could read well at 5 when I started first grade. So could my brother. We had a few books at home. Most other kids could read pretty well by first grade (age 6) as well. My brother and I read at 12th grade level when we took the test in the 8th grade. I ended up with a grad degree. my brother a law degree, my younger brother an engineering degree. My wife did not quite get her BS... mainly for financial reasons. She retired from a job that is normally filled with someone with a grad degree.

My kids could read well at 5 when they started school (kindergarten). My daughter is now a doctor and her husband has a BS (although neither seem to have as well rounded an education that I received by the 12th grade. Her brother did not go to college or have kids. My grandkids seem bright, and the oldest will start school next year but cannot read much at all yet. Her younger brother does not seem to be on a path to do better. She has a virtual library of books and well-educated, professional parents. I really do not understand.

Many kids (my grandkids included) are able to watch some sort of "educational TV" much of their waking time and have Ipadish type games where they can play or watch videos off the internet versus going outside and playing with other kids or reading. I often wonder if "educational" TV helps or hurts youngsters as they do not need to read to have adventures as I did...and if they are largely babysitters for kids who need something else/more.