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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

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

63 replies

deneuve · 15/06/2009 21:28

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.

OP posts:

pagwatch · 16/06/2009 16:32

I think 'normal' is massively over rated.

piscesmoon · 16/06/2009 17:59

Most classes will have a huge range. I always recommend that parents teach their DC before they start school if they are ready. I don't follow the argument that it will be difficult for the teacher. Even if they all start at exactly the same place on day 1 they will be at very different places by the first half term. There will be the bulk in the middle who are 'average', there will be the strugglers who are going to need extra support and there will be the above average and the real high flyers. They take their own pace, so it doesn't do to compare. I was an early reader and spent my entire childhood with my nose in a book, but as an adult my reading isn't any better than my brother who was a non reader at 5 yrs(and didn't want to know). He was the one who ended up in the express stream in the grammar school!
My advice to OP would be just to let your DC enjoy reading and not worry about it.

Original poster

deneuve · 17/06/2009 13:57

Cannot be arsed reading the whole thread, thank you for those who are good-natured and advice about keeping up his socialising skills ... And to all the others who have to say nasty things, I understand it is not allowed to swear on mnet but XXX to all of you, you rotten bunch of vipers! Cannot believe one would want to say nasty things to someone who suffers from anxiety and has a question to ask.

OP posts:

annoyedmum · 17/06/2009 14:35

what was the question again?

annoyedmum · 17/06/2009 15:12

on a more serious note,no harm intended just a bit of mickey taking about a silly question.

If you ask for help but in reality there isn't a problem then you are going to get some bemused responses.

Also,if he's doing well then don't obsess and worry for no reason.One day he might have a real problem so save your energy for that.

All the best!

piscesmoon · 17/06/2009 19:25

If you ask a question you are going to get every range of opinion. If you only want people to agree with you there is no point in asking the question.
I also think it is a bit odd not to read it all when you asked the question-you may miss someone with a helpful point.

lazymumofteenagesons · 17/06/2009 19:34

I thought she meant her son was in Y5 and reading books for 7 year olds. Even thats not the end of the world.

acebaby · 18/06/2009 12:29

The one thing to watch out for is that he doesn't get hold of something really inappropriate for his age. I was a very early reader, and managed to get hold of Jude the Obscure when I was 7. It gave me terrible nightmares, and haunted me for months.

BTW, I didn't turn out to be a genius or social misfit despite my early reading - just an ordinary woman who loves reading.

nolongerchunkybutstillapudding · 18/06/2009 21:56

to be fair she did say she's a really anxious mum... and it is actually possible she was telling the truth and had got herself worried over nothing... and if it's so bloody common tis not much of a boast is it?

damn it, all this time and I'm still not a proper mumsnetter, I get all upset when the debate gets 'heated'

davidla · 19/06/2009 14:13

Our DS has just turned 6 and is only reading books for 9 year olds. After reading this thread I am beginning to worry that he's not doing very well

pagwatch · 19/06/2009 14:16

there there Nolonger

posieparker · 19/06/2009 14:19

Don't worry I was years ahead in my reading, at 6 reading books for 13 year olds (how they work that out I have no idea!!). By 15 I barely read at all, didn't get a first at Uni and got a worse paid job than DH who has one GCSE.......

cory · 19/06/2009 14:31

deneuve on Wed 17-Jun-09 13:57:02
"Cannot be arsed reading the whole thread"

Now that's really the way to make those of us who tried to give good advice feel appreciated! You thank us, but you couldn't be arsed to read what we went to the trouble of writing. I'll know not to bother next time.

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