5 year old reading "Little House on the Prairie"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What a glass-half-empty viewpoint! So she doesn't fully appreciate it yet... still, good for her (and her parents) for starting young and being interested in reading good books already. If she likes Little House as much as most children do, she can read it again later and fall in love all over again, and learn something new each time.

There's no sense in giving a child a book to read if the story goes over his/her head. You may as well just wave flashcards in front of his/her face. I am being practical, not negative. After doing an initial reading level test with my students, I then decide which texts are appropriate for the majority of the students. For those at the extremes, there are always alternatives, too.

Kids learn to read at different ages. Although word recognition and fluency are strong, inference skills - which require abstract thinking to kick in - may be week, thus affecting how well a student understands the story. Students with a strong ability to make inferences are better able to FULLY digest a book.

I do not entirely agree with this. I would not push my child to read something above their reading level on purpose, nor should a teacher. But if the child pursues something on their own and likes it, who am I to take it away because they can't understand some of the bigger concepts? The first time I read Huck Finn, I had no idea what an allegorical journey was, so how could I really "get" the book? But it was not the last time I read it, either. I read Bible stories long before I had an appreciation of how to interpret them based on historical context, and without the benefit of outside scholarship. But it was still worth it. All people, including adults, read books at the level they are capable of handling, and there are some books that few adults get. I think that's OK. It is important to allow a child to explore things at their own pace, and maybe they too will learn that great books contain new truths for them as they grow.

[Anonymous]

Oh - hi - this is the OP: I guess I was actually just asking about her age - not the book being appropriate, as much. Although it has certainly sparked an interesting debate. I was just curious how many others may have children at this age (5 and a half or so) reading novels, basically. I almost don't believe my friend that her daughter is really comprehending the whole story or just being able to read the words. She is only in kindergarten! I don't want to question my friend and appear suspicious - just find it hard to believe without actually seeing the little girl in action (they live far away)........she is homeschooled (by the way).

[Anonymous]

13:34 here. I totally agree that there is no need to push a child to read texts that are clearly above their level (comprehension, emotional, whatever). But I think it is perhaps even worse to discourage a child who wants to read something simply because we as adults suspect that she can't fully grasp it. We have to protect from violent and salacious material, of course, but we don't need to protect them from challenging themselves and their abilities with otherwise appropriate books. It has nothing to do with being gifted or a member of Mensa or being a pushy parent... I'm just a reader who hopes that my child will love to read as well, and the limits I'll set will be a lot looser than the glass-half-empty PP's. I read To Kill a Mockingbird long before I could appreciate all or even most of it, but I still liked it. It would have been really sad for me if my parents had taken it away from me simply because I wasn't old enough to get all of it yet. What I could get, I valued.

We're not talking about Ulysses here. There are plenty of five and six year olds who can follow Little House enough to make reading it fun (as evidenced by the parents early in the thread who are reading it aloud to their children at young ages). If the little girl in the OP is one of them, that's great. And even if she's not, I think it's great that she still wants to try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:13:22 here. I didn't mean to push anyone's buttons with my comment, but I stand by it. BTW, I read above grade level throughout school, my DC tested in the 99.5th percentile, and I am a member of Mensa. I still think that emotional and psychological needs are as important as intellectual ones. I can't recommend other books as an alternative to LHOP because my brilliant DC doesn't read yet, at the ripe old age of FIVE. Maybe you should check out the thread about all the adults who were labeled 'Gifted' as children. It might help you lighten up a bit.

It doesn't matter what happened to other gifted kids who are now adults. It has no bearing here. You have expressed an opinion critical of "allowing" a child to read a book at THEIR reading level in favor of forcing them to read what you consider age appropriate. If your child does turn out to read at higher-than-age level will you remove books from the house and make sure the teacher only allows them to pick from the beginning reader section, even if they are YEARS ahead of that? It made no sense until you said YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE with this situation. When you do have more understanding you will see that you holding your children back or down when they have an ability is at least equal to if not worse than pushing them too hard to achieve BEYOND their ability. Were you allowed to read above grade-level? Did someone remove books from you until THEY judged it the right time for YOUR optimal enjoyment? It's a nonsensical proposition. My kid isn't at the 99th %ile but in 1st gr. he reads at a 6th gr. level. I was the same. I read Dickens at 10. So what? Why would anyone care? Would I have benefitted more from re-reading Dick and Jane or The Bobbsey Twins repeatedly for years? Why do you care what someone else's kid reads? You seem triggered or threatened in some way by this thread. Kids SHOULD be protected from graphic content above their emotional or age level which is VERY hard with popular books these days so LHOP is a GREAT alternative to the exploits of those wacky kids in High School Musical. If I'm coming on strong it's because it is so tiresome to hear a constant refrain on this board from a few folks who think that people with smart kids push push push them. My kid learn to read ON HIS OWN. I did NOTHING and didn't really know how well until his teacher told me. There are kids that are smart and there is nothing wrong with that. It just happens. If it bugs you, it's the same as it bugging you that people have red hair. I just don't get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:13:22 here. I didn't mean to push anyone's buttons with my comment, but I stand by it. BTW, I read above grade level throughout school, my DC tested in the 99.5th percentile, and I am a member of Mensa. I still think that emotional and psychological needs are as important as intellectual ones. I can't recommend other books as an alternative to LHOP because my brilliant DC doesn't read yet, at the ripe old age of FIVE. Maybe you should check out the thread about all the adults who were labeled 'Gifted' as children. It might help you lighten up a bit.

It doesn't matter what happened to other gifted kids who are now adults. It has no bearing here. You have expressed an opinion critical of "allowing" a child to read a book at THEIR reading level in favor of forcing them to read what you consider age appropriate. If your child does turn out to read at higher-than-age level will you remove books from the house and make sure the teacher only allows them to pick from the beginning reader section, even if they are YEARS ahead of that? It made no sense until you said YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE with this situation. When you do have more understanding you will see that you holding your children back or down when they have an ability is at least equal to if not worse than pushing them too hard to achieve BEYOND their ability. Were you allowed to read above grade-level? Did someone remove books from you until THEY judged it the right time for YOUR optimal enjoyment? It's a nonsensical proposition. My kid isn't at the 99th %ile but in 1st gr. he reads at a 6th gr. level. I was the same. I read Dickens at 10. So what? Why would anyone care? Would I have benefitted more from re-reading Dick and Jane or The Bobbsey Twins repeatedly for years? Why do you care what someone else's kid reads? You seem triggered or threatened in some way by this thread. Kids SHOULD be protected from graphic content above their emotional or age level which is VERY hard with popular books these days so LHOP is a GREAT alternative to the exploits of those wacky kids in High School Musical. If I'm coming on strong it's because it is so tiresome to hear a constant refrain on this board from a few folks who think that people with smart kids push push push them. My kid learn to read ON HIS OWN. I did NOTHING and didn't really know how well until his teacher told me. There are kids that are smart and there is nothing wrong with that. It just happens. If it bugs you, it's the same as it bugging you that people have red hair. I just don't get it.

Are you insane?? I was simply breezing through the posts. I really couldn't care less what you read when you were 10. I responded to someone who posted a question ASKING for responses -- the OP didn't say, "Only people with children who read at above grade level need reply." I gave my two cents' worth. I said it sounded like it was a shame, not that I was in favor of forcing anyone to read or not read anything. Sorry i blew your gaskets by responding with my own opinion, not yours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:13:22 here. I didn't mean to push anyone's buttons with my comment, but I stand by it. BTW, I read above grade level throughout school, my DC tested in the 99.5th percentile, and I am a member of Mensa. I still think that emotional and psychological needs are as important as intellectual ones. I can't recommend other books as an alternative to LHOP because my brilliant DC doesn't read yet, at the ripe old age of FIVE. Maybe you should check out the thread about all the adults who were labeled 'Gifted' as children. It might help you lighten up a bit.

It doesn't matter what happened to other gifted kids who are now adults. It has no bearing here. You have expressed an opinion critical of "allowing" a child to read a book at THEIR reading level in favor of forcing them to read what you consider age appropriate. If your child does turn out to read at higher-than-age level will you remove books from the house and make sure the teacher only allows them to pick from the beginning reader section, even if they are YEARS ahead of that? It made no sense until you said YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE with this situation. When you do have more understanding you will see that you holding your children back or down when they have an ability is at least equal to if not worse than pushing them too hard to achieve BEYOND their ability. Were you allowed to read above grade-level? Did someone remove books from you until THEY judged it the right time for YOUR optimal enjoyment? It's a nonsensical proposition. My kid isn't at the 99th %ile but in 1st gr. he reads at a 6th gr. level. I was the same. I read Dickens at 10. So what? Why would anyone care? Would I have benefitted more from re-reading Dick and Jane or The Bobbsey Twins repeatedly for years? Why do you care what someone else's kid reads? You seem triggered or threatened in some way by this thread. Kids SHOULD be protected from graphic content above their emotional or age level which is VERY hard with popular books these days so LHOP is a GREAT alternative to the exploits of those wacky kids in High School Musical. If I'm coming on strong it's because it is so tiresome to hear a constant refrain on this board from a few folks who think that people with smart kids push push push them. My kid learn to read ON HIS OWN. I did NOTHING and didn't really know how well until his teacher told me. There are kids that are smart and there is nothing wrong with that. It just happens. If it bugs you, it's the same as it bugging you that people have red hair. I just don't get it.

Are you insane?? I was simply breezing through the posts. I really couldn't care less what you read when you were 10. I responded to someone who posted a question ASKING for responses -- the OP didn't say, "Only people with children who read at above grade level need reply." I gave my two cents' worth. I said it sounded like it was a shame, not that I was in favor of forcing anyone to read or not read anything. Sorry i blew your gaskets by responding with my own opinion, not yours.

Really? Is that all you said? What about:

"BTW, I read above grade level throughout school, my DC tested in the 99.5th percentile, and I am a member of Mensa." " my brilliant DC doesn't read yet, at the ripe old age of FIVE" and "Maybe you should check out the thread about all the adults who were labeled 'Gifted' as children. It might help you lighten up a bit."

Reread your own posts and then mine.

[Anonymous]

OP-

Some children can indeed read chapter books, even novels, in kindergarten. Once a child has mastered basic letter sounds, and putting together sounds into simple words (the fat cat sat and hop on pop books) the next step in decoding is to sound out words that are more complicated: house, earth, reach. Then they progress to recognizing and sounding out, if necessaryk, words with suffixes and prefixes and mulitple syllables; finally adding on the tricky endings -tion, -cian and spelling sthat are based on greek etymolgy (myth and rhyme and so on.) In some kids this sounding out process goes really, really fast -- in fact they pick things up so quickly that teaching them to read is more like explaining it once or twice, and they just get it. Whether they truly understand what they are sounding out is of course the question.

What does your friend mean when she says her daughter is "reading" an advanced novel at age 5? She could mean many things:

1. My daughter sits down with me and struggles through a few sentences, then I read the rest.
2. I have read the book once out loud to her and she reads it in a halting voice and hates every minute of it, but I'm forcing her.
3. She reads the words in the chapter in a monotone voice and clearly is just word-calling, not truly understanding what she is reading.
4. She is reading these books with fluency, and obvious enjoyment, and understands what the sentences mean and what is going on in the story.

My guess is that the girl is doing a mix of the above. Chances are she's reading for fun, and mom is helping her sound out the harder words. Chances are, she doesn't understand all the vocabulary, but is having fun, and feels great because she is reading an interesting "hard" book, about girls, living in the olden days. However, it is entirely possible that the girl is reading the novel completely on her own.

I'm sure she understands much about the book. I cannot imagine my own children sitting down with me for several hours and reading something that they didn't understand. How boring would that be? I would imagine most children would just give up and do something more fun. So when people tell me their kids are reading something, I tend to take them at their word, that they are able to comprehgend what they are reading.

By the way, Little House on the Prarie has a Lexile rating of 760.
Little House in the Big Woods has a Lexile rating of 930.
Farmer Boy is 820.
On the Banks of Plum Creek is 720
The Long Winter is 790

So these are books your typically see a 2nd grader to maybe a 5th grader reading, I would think, just in terms or average reading ability. They'd be a stretch for your average 2nd grader and just right for your average 4th grade reader. Whether the content is appropriate for a much younger child is of course an issue when you have early readers; but it would be just as much an issue if people were using it as a read-aloud.

http://www.lexile.com/uploads/PDF's/LexileMapColor_4-4-07_11x17.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:13:22 here. I didn't mean to push anyone's buttons with my comment, but I stand by it. BTW, I read above grade level throughout school, my DC tested in the 99.5th percentile, and I am a member of Mensa. I still think that emotional and psychological needs are as important as intellectual ones. I can't recommend other books as an alternative to LHOP because my brilliant DC doesn't read yet, at the ripe old age of FIVE. Maybe you should check out the thread about all the adults who were labeled 'Gifted' as children. It might help you lighten up a bit.

It doesn't matter what happened to other gifted kids who are now adults. It has no bearing here. You have expressed an opinion critical of "allowing" a child to read a book at THEIR reading level in favor of forcing them to read what you consider age appropriate. If your child does turn out to read at higher-than-age level will you remove books from the house and make sure the teacher only allows them to pick from the beginning reader section, even if they are YEARS ahead of that? It made no sense until you said YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE with this situation. When you do have more understanding you will see that you holding your children back or down when they have an ability is at least equal to if not worse than pushing them too hard to achieve BEYOND their ability. Were you allowed to read above grade-level? Did someone remove books from you until THEY judged it the right time for YOUR optimal enjoyment? It's a nonsensical proposition. My kid isn't at the 99th %ile but in 1st gr. he reads at a 6th gr. level. I was the same. I read Dickens at 10. So what? Why would anyone care? Would I have benefitted more from re-reading Dick and Jane or The Bobbsey Twins repeatedly for years? Why do you care what someone else's kid reads? You seem triggered or threatened in some way by this thread. Kids SHOULD be protected from graphic content above their emotional or age level which is VERY hard with popular books these days so LHOP is a GREAT alternative to the exploits of those wacky kids in High School Musical. If I'm coming on strong it's because it is so tiresome to hear a constant refrain on this board from a few folks who think that people with smart kids push push push them. My kid learn to read ON HIS OWN. I did NOTHING and didn't really know how well until his teacher told me. There are kids that are smart and there is nothing wrong with that. It just happens. If it bugs you, it's the same as it bugging you that people have red hair. I just don't get it.

Are you insane?? I was simply breezing through the posts. I really couldn't care less what you read when you were 10. I responded to someone who posted a question ASKING for responses -- the OP didn't say, "Only people with children who read at above grade level need reply." I gave my two cents' worth. I said it sounded like it was a shame, not that I was in favor of forcing anyone to read or not read anything. Sorry i blew your gaskets by responding with my own opinion, not yours.

Really? Is that all you said? What about:

"BTW, I read above grade level throughout school, my DC tested in the 99.5th percentile, and I am a member of Mensa." " my brilliant DC doesn't read yet, at the ripe old age of FIVE" and "Maybe you should check out the thread about all the adults who were labeled 'Gifted' as children. It might help you lighten up a bit."

Reread your own posts and then mine.

I was just trying to let readers know that I am an intelligent adult (and a former intelligent child) with an intelligent child of my own, and yet I still think reading ability doesn't matter as much as psychological and emotional maturity does. Too bad you had to feign indignation just so you could tell readers about your status.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
By the way, Little House on the Prarie has a Lexile rating of 760.
Little House in the Big Woods has a Lexile rating of 930.
Farmer Boy is 820.
On the Banks of Plum Creek is 720
The Long Winter is 790

http://www.lexile.com/uploads/PDF's/LexileMapColor_4-4-07_11x17.pdf

And, for a little comparison -- "The Adventures of Captain Underpants" has a Lexile rating of 720. So if y'all think Little House on the Praire is too "mature" for a kindergartener, maybe you'd like her to be reading Captain Underpants instead?

Haven't read Captain Underpants yet? Let me tell you -- it is DEFINITELY not a "mature" book! (It is better liked by boys than girls though -- go figure...)

[Anonymous]

To the OP: just enjoy it and let your child select books she's interested in. don't let all the craziness of this post make you doubt anything. years ago i went back home for the holidays i visited good friends with a child 3 almost 4. before bed she read to me a storybook, with inflection. it was astounding. i didn't have my child then, and looking back, that makes it even more incredible. the little girl was reading novels by 5. she wasn't pushed. she was just naturally gifted. she's a talented well-adjusted teenager now. her mother also read early, remembers reading little women at like age 5. there are just some people born with amazing abilities that show early. my hunch is that your daughter is not just reading the words but also absorbing the content. all the talk about social/emotional stuff on this thread is just blather. they may never have seen a child really do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:13:22 here. I didn't mean to push anyone's buttons with my comment, but I stand by it. BTW, I read above grade level throughout school, my DC tested in the 99.5th percentile, and I am a member of Mensa. I still think that emotional and psychological needs are as important as intellectual ones. I can't recommend other books as an alternative to LHOP because my brilliant DC doesn't read yet, at the ripe old age of FIVE. Maybe you should check out the thread about all the adults who were labeled 'Gifted' as children. It might help you lighten up a bit.

It doesn't matter what happened to other gifted kids who are now adults. It has no bearing here. You have expressed an opinion critical of "allowing" a child to read a book at THEIR reading level in favor of forcing them to read what you consider age appropriate. If your child does turn out to read at higher-than-age level will you remove books from the house and make sure the teacher only allows them to pick from the beginning reader section, even if they are YEARS ahead of that? It made no sense until you said YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE with this situation. When you do have more understanding you will see that you holding your children back or down when they have an ability is at least equal to if not worse than pushing them too hard to achieve BEYOND their ability. Were you allowed to read above grade-level? Did someone remove books from you until THEY judged it the right time for YOUR optimal enjoyment? It's a nonsensical proposition. My kid isn't at the 99th %ile but in 1st gr. he reads at a 6th gr. level. I was the same. I read Dickens at 10. So what? Why would anyone care? Would I have benefitted more from re-reading Dick and Jane or The Bobbsey Twins repeatedly for years? Why do you care what someone else's kid reads? You seem triggered or threatened in some way by this thread. Kids SHOULD be protected from graphic content above their emotional or age level which is VERY hard with popular books these days so LHOP is a GREAT alternative to the exploits of those wacky kids in High School Musical. If I'm coming on strong it's because it is so tiresome to hear a constant refrain on this board from a few folks who think that people with smart kids push push push them. My kid learn to read ON HIS OWN. I did NOTHING and didn't really know how well until his teacher told me. There are kids that are smart and there is nothing wrong with that. It just happens. If it bugs you, it's the same as it bugging you that people have red hair. I just don't get it.

Are you insane?? I was simply breezing through the posts. I really couldn't care less what you read when you were 10. I responded to someone who posted a question ASKING for responses -- the OP didn't say, "Only people with children who read at above grade level need reply." I gave my two cents' worth. I said it sounded like it was a shame, not that I was in favor of forcing anyone to read or not read anything. Sorry i blew your gaskets by responding with my own opinion, not yours.

Really? Is that all you said? What about:

"BTW, I read above grade level throughout school, my DC tested in the 99.5th percentile, and I am a member of Mensa." " my brilliant DC doesn't read yet, at the ripe old age of FIVE" and "Maybe you should check out the thread about all the adults who were labeled 'Gifted' as children. It might help you lighten up a bit."

Reread your own posts and then mine.

I was just trying to let readers know that I am an intelligent adult (and a former intelligent child) with an intelligent child of my own, and yet I still think reading ability doesn't matter as much as psychological and emotional maturity does. Too bad you had to feign indignation just so you could tell readers about your status.

I said very little about what you call my "status." To ME high reading ability is JUST that. The ability to read at a high level compared to peers. To YOU, based on YOUR comments it is about status. I am not a member of mensa because it has NO appeal to me. It must have a status appeal to you or you wouldn't be a member AND want people to know it. If you are highly intelligent or gifted or what ever - why do you need a group to validate and stroke you for it. High reading ability is what it is - like I said, like red hair. It doesn't add to your value or status. That said, you shouldn't be ostracized or penalized for it either. Which was MY point.

[Anonymous]

I said it sounded like it was a shame

I'm still a little unclear on this. PP, can you clarify what exactly is a shame? Is is that you suspect the parent is bragging about her child and pushing her child too far, or is it that you think it's a shame for a child to read a book that she doesn't fully comprehend yet? If it's the former, fair enough, although I don't think it's clear from OP whether this is the case (too little information). But if it's the latter, why is that a shame if the child wants to read it and it doesn't contain offensive or sensitive content?

[Anonymous]

I was reading long, involved books like that (the anne of green gables series, wrinkle in time, etc) at that age.

my reading comprehension was always very good.

may not be the norm, but there are definitely some kids ready for more mature books.

Incidentally, I HATED kindergarten. I was so fed up with the little begin to read books that were forced on me at school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:13:22 here. I didn't mean to push anyone's buttons with my comment, but I stand by it. BTW, I read above grade level throughout school, my DC tested in the 99.5th percentile, and I am a member of Mensa. I still think that emotional and psychological needs are as important as intellectual ones. I can't recommend other books as an alternative to LHOP because my brilliant DC doesn't read yet, at the ripe old age of FIVE. Maybe you should check out the thread about all the adults who were labeled 'Gifted' as children. It might help you lighten up a bit.

It doesn't matter what happened to other gifted kids who are now adults. It has no bearing here. You have expressed an opinion critical of "allowing" a child to read a book at THEIR reading level in favor of forcing them to read what you consider age appropriate. If your child does turn out to read at higher-than-age level will you remove books from the house and make sure the teacher only allows them to pick from the beginning reader section, even if they are YEARS ahead of that? It made no sense until you said YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE with this situation. When you do have more understanding you will see that you holding your children back or down when they have an ability is at least equal to if not worse than pushing them too hard to achieve BEYOND their ability. Were you allowed to read above grade-level? Did someone remove books from you until THEY judged it the right time for YOUR optimal enjoyment? It's a nonsensical proposition. My kid isn't at the 99th %ile but in 1st gr. he reads at a 6th gr. level. I was the same. I read Dickens at 10. So what? Why would anyone care? Would I have benefitted more from re-reading Dick and Jane or The Bobbsey Twins repeatedly for years? Why do you care what someone else's kid reads? You seem triggered or threatened in some way by this thread. Kids SHOULD be protected from graphic content above their emotional or age level which is VERY hard with popular books these days so LHOP is a GREAT alternative to the exploits of those wacky kids in High School Musical. If I'm coming on strong it's because it is so tiresome to hear a constant refrain on this board from a few folks who think that people with smart kids push push push them. My kid learn to read ON HIS OWN. I did NOTHING and didn't really know how well until his teacher told me. There are kids that are smart and there is nothing wrong with that. It just happens. If it bugs you, it's the same as it bugging you that people have red hair. I just don't get it.

Are you insane?? I was simply breezing through the posts. I really couldn't care less what you read when you were 10. I responded to someone who posted a question ASKING for responses -- the OP didn't say, "Only people with children who read at above grade level need reply." I gave my two cents' worth. I said it sounded like it was a shame, not that I was in favor of forcing anyone to read or not read anything. Sorry i blew your gaskets by responding with my own opinion, not yours.

Really? Is that all you said? What about:

"BTW, I read above grade level throughout school, my DC tested in the 99.5th percentile, and I am a member of Mensa." " my brilliant DC doesn't read yet, at the ripe old age of FIVE" and "Maybe you should check out the thread about all the adults who were labeled 'Gifted' as children. It might help you lighten up a bit."

Reread your own posts and then mine.

I was just trying to let readers know that I am an intelligent adult (and a former intelligent child) with an intelligent child of my own, and yet I still think reading ability doesn't matter as much as psychological and emotional maturity does. Too bad you had to feign indignation just so you could tell readers about your status.

I said very little about what you call my "status." To ME high reading ability is JUST that. The ability to read at a high level compared to peers. To YOU, based on YOUR comments it is about status. I am not a member of mensa because it has NO appeal to me. It must have a status appeal to you or you wouldn't be a member AND want people to know it. If you are highly intelligent or gifted or what ever - why do you need a group to validate and stroke you for it. High reading ability is what it is - like I said, like red hair. It doesn't add to your value or status. That said, you shouldn't be ostracized or penalized for it either. Which was MY point.

You are obviously not the Merry Fruitcake Troll, but maybe you were separated at birth. I'm going to take the MFT approach of ignoring your posts about me from now on, with the hope that your need to berate me withers and dies. Happy Holidays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

I said it sounded like it was a shame

I'm still a little unclear on this. PP, can you clarify what exactly is a shame? Is is that you suspect the parent is bragging about her child and pushing her child too far, or is it that you think it's a shame for a child to read a book that she doesn't fully comprehend yet? If it's the former, fair enough, although I don't think it's clear from OP whether this is the case (too little information). But if it's the latter, why is that a shame if the child wants to read it and it doesn't contain offensive or sensitive content?

In this area, yes, the first thought that comes to mind is a parent pushing a child. I'm also from an academically inclined family of gifted kids, and I think it's sad when children are given books to read that they can't possible get because they don't have the maturity to match their ability to read. A five year old has no life experience to compare to living on the prairie. An eight year old, though, has something to compare it to. They been around for a while, have been in school for a few year, , they have chores, they know candy costs more than a penny, etc. And can read the LHOP books and think "Wow, life was so different then, and I can almost FEEL how it was to live that way." A five and a half year old, on the other hand, still thinks it's possible to defy gravity or learn to fly, has no concept of money or how things are made or get done, etc. So to me, it's like stealing the experience from the eight year old that this five year old will be in the blinking of an eye, just so the five year old can hurry up and read it. Obviously there are gifted kids who can both read and comprehend the books, and hats off to them and their parents. Those kids are few and far between. And the OP was obviously dubious about whether her friend's DD was actually reading the book or if her friend was just making it up.