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Age appropriate reading book vs book bands

8 replies

AdditionMultiplication · 26/01/2012 22:06

Was just wondering how otherwise approach the issue of the book subject not being appropriate for your child's age?

There ie a possibility that I am being a little ridiculous here, but is it ok for a six year old to be given a book regarding 'body art' from school? Some bits are ok, but some are a little 'old' for a six year old to be reading about?

The chapters include things such as describing Chinese foot wrapping, but bo explanation as to why, says suntans are fashionable, tattoos (fine, but at 6?) with a picture a a completely tattoo'd man as a leopard, skull shaping, with reference to 'tribe' but no country or reference to cultural reason, neck ringing where the ladies lengthen their necks, again no explanation, hut do mention that if they take it off they would die, cosmetic surgery, including a woman who changed her eyes to ' look like a leopard', a lady who had 'operations to make her face look younger and prettier', tribal scarring, with a note on how rubbing grit and dirt in the cuts makes it scar better, a whole section on piercing, including nose, navel, lounge (including a fun quiz on how long the lounge takes to stop bleeding!) ,how navel piercing can make the skin die and the jewellery falls out, and a charming picture of a lady with 120 piercings in her face. Then comes a bit about 1930's movie star taking out their back teeth to look thinner, with the book ending on a high note of spot the body art pop quiz of a tattooed man with a ling stick through his nose.

I can understand educating about certain bits such as how different cultures do thing with their bodies such as neck rings, ear lobe stretching, lip plates etc, but feel they need explanation, not just some people do this.

I also feel that some of it us just over the top and unnecessary.

This book might be ok at older ages but I don't think it is right for a six year old. However. This is the band he us on. So is this level of subject that I should expect? Do I just let him read them or can I ask the teacher to screen them a little? The issue there is that they have a 'rule' they have to read all the books in each stage, so how do I get around the inappropriate subject material? Obviously, this will get worse as he goes up more levels as well. (i think he only has a few left on this one as it is)

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
AdditionMultiplication · 26/01/2012 22:07

So many phone typos! Sorry! And tounge not lounge!

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AdditionMultiplication · 26/01/2012 22:49

Anyone?

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oftengrumpy · 26/01/2012 23:15

Hi. When my DS was in year 3 he brought home a book that had a section about drug users elaving needles on the common and teenagers having sex in the field. I was a bit shocked to say the least and really glad I'd looked through it before he started reading it. I just sent it back, unread, with a note that said "I've had a look at DS's book and I'm sure you'll agree that the references on page x and xx are not really age appropriate - could you please give him some guidance on choosing a more suitable book.". You could try something like that.

Your DS's book does seem a bit much for a 6 year old. Is it a book to share rather than for him to read on his own?

AdditionMultiplication · 26/01/2012 23:22

To read to me. And I just looked in his leading record and he has already read it to the teacher as well! ( so technically he wouldn't have bought it home but got a new one. But that is a different thread in itself!)

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AdditionMultiplication · 26/01/2012 23:35

And I am :o at tour ds' book!

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AdditionMultiplication · 26/01/2012 23:36

[Shock] not grin, and your not tour!

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oftengrumpy · 26/01/2012 23:55

I was fairly Shock myself! Apparently no-one had ever picked it up before!
Good luck talking to the school about yours.

BettyBathroom · 27/01/2012 07:14

Year 2 we had a book about the Holocaust and if it was OK for some emotionally advanced dcs it definitely wasn't suitable for mine. Plenty of time for difficult topics when they gain a couple of years. I think this situation can be a common problem when you child's reading level is advanced.

I've never understood this slavish approach to reading schemes and insisting that every child reads every book - no matter how dull or unsuitable it may be.
The more experienced parents bypass the rules and sign off the especially dull or inappropriate books and give their dc something interesting from their collection of home books.
FWIW I don't think I'd be that bothered about body art, neither would my dc - large parts of it would probably go way over his head though. Some dcs are terrified of tatoos - maybe knowing a bit more about them would help to calm these fears.

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