There can be a very strong, positive peer pressure effect for some kids. My daughter talked late - but then in complete sentences almost immediately. We basically went through the letter sounds maybe once or twice & she was off & running. Was reading at a 3rd grade level in kindergarten. Granted, she has an amazing memory - academically, she tested as Aspergers but did not medically. With my son, before he started in school, working on reading was tough. No real interest, and unwilling to spend more than a few minutes on the basics like letter sounds. Writing - forget it, not when there's a sun shining in the sky or toys to play with. We didn't push or anything - didn't want to make it a chore. Then he started school and he's off & running. Good teachers no doubt, (small town Wisconsin, pragmatic farmer influenced community that values education & hard work). But following along with the other kids and probably to some degree, a bit of a competitive nature lit a spark and now he's reading well above his grade level too. Will be interesting to see how #3 turns out (he's 10 months).