Text and the Toddler

[Jesus_marley]

Anecdotally, A friend of mine has a youngster who was reading Harry Potter at 7.

Myself, I was reading the newspaper at 3, Heinlein at 8. Although oddly enough, I never read LOTR until I was in my late 20's.

 

[Harmon]

Depends on reading ability.

My step brother's son was reading Mark Twain when he was 3 (his Mom sat with him, and he read it aloud to her), course his IQ was measured at 185 just last year at 14 years old (he knows at least three languages, and is out of high school).

So judge each case as it comes.

 

[papastebu]

I first read The Hobbit at the ripe-old age of five, and understood it, except that hobbits aren't real--I went right away and told my mom that there were little people that lived in holes in the ground but that hid from "big folk". She told me not to believe everything I read. My son is dyslexic, but he understands what he is able to decipher--we just found this out--very well, and he's eight come January 4th.

 

[Jesus_marley]

Good thing you caught that one early. Dyslexia (or for those that have it, Lesdyxia ), can be a major hurdle if not caught early.

 

[Meloncov]

Typical light novels intended for adults tend to be around seventh grade reading level. Most young adult novels are around third to fifth grade reading level.

Of course, these figures should be taken with a grain of salt. The reading grade levels are based on a national average, including people who know little English or are dyslexic. Even a fairly average person raised with a decent education, English speaking parents, and no learning disabilities will probably read a grade level or two above their grade.

 

[Gilladian]

Being a librarian and somewhat interested in this subject, I can say that a bright 7-8 year old should be able to handle series such as Wizard of Oz, Babysitter's Club, Little House, Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys, etc... Series books with their very repetition are a great reading step for kids.

By age 9-10 LOTR or other adult fiction shouldn't be beyond them, especially if the STORY is already familiar (ie they've heard it read aloud).

I know from my own experience I was reading adult novels (Andre Norton, Agatha Christie, Lord Dunsany) by age 10-11. I think I've devolved since then...

 

[dog45]

When my sister wakes up in a few hours I'll ask her. She was an elementary school teacher and now she's getting her Masters in Reading Specialist. Or maybe its Curriculum Planning. I dunno. What I do know is that it's a mistake to ask her anything about education unless you have nothing to do for the next, oh...5 days.

 

[Harmon]

Good thing you caught that one early. Dyslexia (or for those that have it, Lesdyxia ), can be a major hurdle if not caught early.

Sure can.

Suggestion- if your kid is reading disabled have them read to you then explain what they just read. It helps, and the earlier you start the better off your kid(s) will be with their reading and comprehension skills.

 

[dog45]

"Why are you clarifying novel? If the question is more when can they read and comprehend literature and ideas that doesn't just happen in novels. They can get that in picture books. There are various levels of comprehension." - my sister

She says there's no set age - it's dependent on the child. And then she walked away. I thought she would have been more interested. meh.