Teaching children at five to read and write can dent their interest in books later on, according to Lilian Katz, a professor of education at Illinois University, who will today address an international conference on nursery schooling at Oxford University.
"It can be seriously damaging for children who see themselves as inept at reading too early," she told the Guardian. Boys were particularly vulnerable when rushed into reading too soon, she said.
That is from a few years ago, but certainly in other countries children do not start more formal learning until at least 6.
Perhaps encouraging an interest in books by reading to him and discussing the pictures etc would be a better way forward.
I have heard parents boast that they children could read at three - well, some may and others may not be ready at 5.
If those are the only worries then perhaps it would be best to adopt a wait and see policy.
I think your friend, unless qualified to assess children, should mind her own business.