[mquander]

I agree, I bet that many children would benefit a great deal from that. Eight hours less at school is eight hours more time to expose a kid to as many cool things as possible.

That said, I think that encouraging a ton of reading of something is almost definitely going to be a good idea. Everyone with a mind should be reading.

[pbhjpbhj]

I read vociferously as a child, reading top-junior (10-11yo) books when I was in infants (5-6yo). Mainly fiction though.

My wife was not interested in reading (apparently) at school, indeed she only really started reading for interest after we got married.

We both have science degrees.

>Everyone with a mind should be reading.

I'd find it strange, but I don't think this is absolutely necessary. I find nothing wrong with the idea a blind tetraplegic (who can't read braille or text) could be a great scientist, philosopher, ...