Forum Index
»
Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
5 year old reading "Little House on the Prairie"
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| My friend just told me her 5 year old is reading the Little House on the Prairie Books! This seems young......well, she is almost 6......anyone have any thoughts? |
Anonymous
| Maybe it's because I haven't had any coffee yet, but I'm not sure I understand what you're getting at. Young for the content? |
Anonymous
| She may be reading the words, but does she understand the story? There's a difference between reading words and comprehending the story. |
Anonymous
| Is she bragging? If so, tune a deaf ear. |
Anonymous
|
I don't think that's too out there, but agree with PP. A child will have a different level of understanding of a book, depending on reading ability. She could very well read from LHOP outloud, and do it well at 5, but how much is she truly understanding it?
|
Anonymous
| I don't find that odd, I remember reading and comprehending the Little House on the Prairie books when I was in kindergarten/first grade. |
Anonymous
|
We're reading it aloud to our dd who is 5, almost 6. We chose to do it together to be able to talk about anything that would be scary to her (e.g. the chimney catching on fire) or is offensive by today's world (e.g. depictions of native Americans).
In her case, her reading comprehension is high enough that she would be able to both read and understand the story on her own, with perhaps a few clarifications on the old-fashioned language. So it is possible. |
Anonymous
| My DC reads at a really high level and definitely really comprehends what's read. No, I'm not bragging, just saying it does happen. If it doesn't challenge you or make you mad maybe you can be the ONE person your friend can talk to about her kid's ability from time to time. It can be concerning (It's REALLY hard to fine appropriate content for their age in a book that matches their reading level.) and NO ONE wants to hear it. I sure don't talk about it to any one but the teacher and have had to tell DC not to mention what he's reading to his friends unless they ask. It feels like we're hiding something we should be ashamed of just because other mom's THINK it's bragging. Not all discussions about bright kids is bragging. They have problems and challenges too. It's really hard to be shut out of every discussion of curriculum or reading lists or anything to do with learning. How would everyone else feel if they suddenly weren't supposed to talk about ANYTHING to do with what their kid is doing in school or at home - even if they had concerns. I don't freak out at my friend whose kids are really good at soccer when they talk about them. It's just something that IS, not something they willed on their kid so they can brag. Some people do brag but if she's really just trying to talk about it, try to cut her a little slack. |
Anonymous
I guess a few of the scenes are a bit scary, but generally it's an appropriate book for a 5-almost-6-year-old. The more old-fashioned books are often a good choice for early reader because the language/message/behavior are not inappropriate. |
Anonymous
| I think that's awesome! What more is there to say? |
Anonymous
|
I love those books so much. I want to buy them for my son, just so I can read them again with him. (This has nothing to do with the OP, of course.) Think it's okay to buy them for a boy?
|
Anonymous
| Absolutely OK to buy them for a boy -- same way it is OK to buy Harry Potter for a girl. I love love love the Little House series. We read them together (daughter age 6). We have been reading them since age 4 on and off. I used to read a blog where the mom read the Little House books to her son that was 4 during the time of the blog. |
Anonymous
I think so too. |
Anonymous
We're reading the early books aloud to our son and daughter, and both enjoy them. Might be different for the later books (where the girls' friendships are more highlighted), but the early books are gender neutral. Lots of adventures from Pa's childhood (and from the girls' childhood), lots of descriptions of how Pa built things like smokehouses, houses, chairs... And of course there's "Farmer Boy," all about a boy! |
Anonymous
| Why rush childhood? I read LHOP in third grade, as did all the other girls in my class. Psychological and emotional development levels are just as important as reading levels, IMO. Not that there's anything damaging in LHOP (except when they get snowed in without their parents and burn all their furniture to stay warm, maybe...) but a six year old just can't enjoy the series as thoroughly as an older child can, even if they can read it. Seems like a shame to me. |