dc is 5 and reading books meant for 7 year olds, I am worried!

[deneuve]

He is galloping through the well known series of H. Henry, Jeremy Strong, Jack Stalwart, CIA, Astrosaurs, and lots more. He is also very good at writing and numeracy. I am a bit perplexed about this, as it has all happened very suddenly, no coaching or pushing on our part, infact lots of leaving him to get on...What worries me is that I personally do not see any practical benefit of being so advanced, I even discouraged him from reading at one point . I guess my worry is that a big gap will develop between him and his peers,that he might turn into a weirdo. No basis for this, he has a bunch of friends, little mates come round regularly. But sometimes I notice that he talks about things his friends know nothing about (references to Jeremy Strong Books for example...).. Can someone tell me if he can be advanced at certain subjects, but still be a normal kid, able to socialise with his peers. Sorry about my ramble, English is not my first language and I feel anxious about ds.

I did read some very odd choices as a child too. Actually can't remember 'The old man and the sea' that well, but just have this overriding impression of Hemingway as very adult in all sorts of ways.

He might like this (vaguely similar theme I think but it's one of those books that lots of people read as a child) The Girl of the Sea of Cortez

My ds is 6 and can read his 9 year old brother's reading book confidently. He loves 'number puzzles' and has an amazing thirst for knowledge (don't know where he gets it from )
I don't know why on earth you would discourage this tbh. I think its wonderful and I'm so so proud of him.
Of course he can be a 'normal' kid and socialise with his peers. DS2 is in the boys book club at school and helps his friends with their reading.

rpmfl pesme

He will be fine. By 8 I was reading DH Lawrence and Dickens. And I'm alright

Lol pesme - I will admit that I know it sounded slightly pretentious and daft but its still true. I must go home and ask him what he thought of Hemmingway's distinctive prose style and how it compares to other American authors he has read. His analysis will no doubt be insightful! Perhaps I should try him on Beowulf next - in translation or not do you think?

Thanks for the suggestion MP, I will have a look at it.

Worried, my arse!

my one year old is working her way through war and peace...page by page-with a felt tip...

wanna swop for my 5 year old DS who's still on ORT level 2?

Of course I understand that there are more worrying things out there than DCs being clever. But I think the OP just wanted reassurance from others that her boy won't be lonely.
I'm sure most of us value our DC's happiness over reading
It's so difficult these days to say anything about achievements these days without it seeming bragging.

well, reading well would suffice,or a bit above his chronological age.

It is bragging and there's a lot of it about.

paisleyleaf- her post states he's got loads of mates and he is happy...
She wants reassurance that her kid's amazing...spectacular...magnificent... i sort of feel a bit sorry for her now everyone else has steamed in and pissed on her parade with tales of 3 year old reading tolstoy...

I was way ahead in reading (and lots of other things) at school and, yes, I turned out to be kind of a weirdo. It's not so bad

paisleyleaf
I think the opposite actually,in the old days of my childhood ,showing off[like moaning] was not acceptable at all,but now is much more so ~ an americanisation of our culture maybe.

I wouldn't worry-he isn't unusual-lots of DCs read like that at his age.

You could well be right annoyedmum, and it's just something I've noticed myself recently.

I wouldn't discourage him from reading, it's important he feels good about himself and he isn't doing anything wrong.
He certainly can be normal, just keep his social skills well oiled and he'll be fine

Oh God, another thread where the OP uses worry as a disguise for showing off

Your kid isn't special, sounds like he's well within the normal range.

Not like he's reading the Financial Times and working the stock market or anything.

Jeremay Strong is not exactly difficult to read.

deneuve

I was, and still am, a strong and voracious reader

I am relatively normal.

I would be really pleased your son has a love of books. I wish my DS1 would graduate from Spongebob books (although they are very funny)

"Can someone tell me if he can be advanced at certain subjects, but still be a normal kid"

Yes, I think he can still be a normal kid .

Just relax! Is he interested in any sport? That may help his social skills. If he has a bunch of friends then it means he is able to connect with them. Which is wonderful.

If, after all the reassurance you've received here, you continue to feel anxious about your DS, then please come back, I'll tell you all about my DS1 with learning difficulties and HIS social skills and I can guarantee you'll feel better.

I can't see why you would discourage anyone for being 'too good'-surely you encourage them to get even better as in football or swimming? I don't see why reading is any different. I haven't seen an infant class yet where there aren't a few DCs avidly reading a thick, chapter book for enjoyment.

jesus pisces- that was NOT what the op was looking for...

Yes it should be ok if his social skills are as good as those of his friends.

They will say things like "oh yeah you can read that long book. I shot three goals at football last week" and it will all just be part of the mix.

Over half of my sons year 1 class are reading books for 7/8 year olds - I don't think it's particularly unusual because the standard expected by the national curriculum are very very basis iyswim. Therefore, I don't think the OP's child will be seen as a nerd, a little above average maybe - whatever average is

Basic .... not basis