Text and the Toddler

[Angel Tarragon]

I am curious to know what the average age a child is capable of reading and understanding novels.

 

[JoeBlank]

I don't have any data to back this up, but from my experience and 8-year-old is usually reading short novels, that today are referred to as "chapter books". I guess the name comes from this being the child's first exposure to a book broken into chapters.

My oldest is 8 now, so I can't speak to much older than that, but I do hear of many 10-year-olds who enjoy Harry Potter and other such novels. I think 10 is a little early for reading a novel of that length, but some kids do it.

So my answer would be between the ages of 8 and 10.

 

[dogoftheunderworld]

Based on my experience with my 7 year old and my 10 year old -- I would put reading and comprehending at 8-10yrs old.

 

[Rodrigo Istalindir]

I was reading 'The Hardy Boys' books at 8. I can remember going to buy one with my allowance and getting hassled by 'the man' who said I was too young. They're rated at ages 9-12, and are reasonably long and complex, and would meet my definition of 'novels'.

 

[LiKral]

My oldest is 8 now, so I can't speak to much older than that, but I do hear of many 10-year-olds who enjoy Harry Potter and other such novels. I think 10 is a little early for reading a novel of that length, but some kids do it.

I was reading Lord of the Rings (over and over and over!) at 10, and I'm not exactly a genius. Children can easily read children's novels like Harry Potter from age seven and up, and simple adult novels from age 9 or 10 or so.

 

[bento]

Both my son and daughter started to read at 6, and at that time we could read the fairly basic chapter books like "The Magic Treehouse" series. Each chapter took about seven to ten minutes, so it was fairly easy to get to a stopping place if they became too inattentive or sleepy.

One good way to get them into chapter books is to check out "books-on-tape" from the library and play them when you're in the car. We did this with "The Series of Unfortunate Events" a few years ago and they're really hooked on the series.

Of course the more you read to them while they're younger the more likely they are to read sooner. The most important thing for you is to find material that they will find interesting.

 

[trancejeremy]

10 seems about right for full length novels. Maybe a little earlier.

 

[awayfarer]

I wish I could remember more about his books, but I recall reading quite a few stories by John Bellairs while I was around 8-9 years old. I can also recall reading The Hobbit and The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe. Mom is a librarian and I feel I've always been a bit bookish. I'm not sure if that influence made me a more avid/able reader or at if so, at a significantly younger age than other kids.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

I read the Hobbit at 6, and LotR at about 7 (though I admit to skipping sections. Seven-year olds are not fascinated by the relationship between Eowyn and Faramir, especially when there are hobbits in peril).

 

[Angel Tarragon]

Thanks for all the replies so far!