When is an average sort of age for kids to start reading to themselves?

[dollybird]

DS claimed he read his school book yesterday, but I know he didn't. He's 6 and just started year 2 - he seems quite keen to get on and do it himself but not sure he's quite 'there' yet!

My Ds is nearly 7, just started in Y2. He's been able to read well for about 6 months but I think has only just cottoned on to the real joy of "actually reading to entertain and stimulate yourself" rather than it being something you do at school and because Miss Clark gives him a sticker for doing it well.

He was hugely entertaining last weekend as he was lying in our bed (weekend treat to go to bed in it) reading a garden products catalogue which he was absolutely rapt over. He kept comming to the top of the stairs and shouting in amazement things like "Mum! Dad! you can get a bird feeder that squirrels can't get into and it only costs £12.99!" LOL

Aah, Anchovy that's really cool!

DS read his school book today after a bit of persuading, then we told DH and DD at dinner time what it was about. I did the pretending I couldn't remember thing so he had to tell us all. Seemed to work.

My DD2 is six and just started Year 2 and reading books by herself a lot now. She still reads her school books to me, but goes to bed with a book every night and reads around the house as well. She's been doing this since about last Christmas. DD1 was also reading to herself about this age. Older DSs were not interested in reading to themselves at this age whatsoever.

maybe a boy/girl thing (trying not to generalise). DD is just 5 and could read most of the books DS can given half the chance, although nowhere near reading by herself yet.

ds is five and likes to read his school books to himself before he reads them to me - like a rehearsal, or something. I have NEVER put any pressure on him about reading, it just seems to be something he wants to do. He hides behind the sofa, then pops up when he's had a good look at every page and finally reads the story to me.

(he doesn't understand every single word, btw, but seems to need some idea of what he's reading before he does it in front of anyone else.)

DD1 is 4 and reads to herself. We have moved onto Osborne Early Reader books with chapters and a book mark. I'll read a chapter to her at bedtime and then when i go downstairs she'll read the next chapter to herself. She told me she does it to check that it is ok and that i won't be scared .

She does understand - she can tell me what has happened pretty well.