Re: School start age in other countries..(long)

[Guest guest]

This is exactly what my friend is saying - hers were all early readers

(v

brilliant family incl Nobel prize winning dad) - if they do it

naturally then fine, don't stop them -

but society has not to make a big fuss about it - you know, the

boastful mothers syndrome - if everyone else is left alone to get on

with it. I'd be interested to hear how it is handled when

Scandinavian children do learn to read at home on their own. But they

have got egalitarianism sorted, as I think Karina will be able to tell

us!!

Karina - how far back does that go historically?

Caro

Vicki wrote:

> Thanks, Caro - I'd be interested to see that data! My own theory is

that if

> they learn to read at a young age through exposure to familiar books

then so

> be it: I learnt to read like that at 4. But if they don't learn to

read

> 'naturally' while young then I'd prefer that they weren't *taught*

until

> 6ish or later. Of course, mine are read to on a regular

several-times-a-day

> basis Sadly, usually Teletubbies or Bob the Builder atm

Blimey Vicki, you are devoted! I even palm the Tank Engine

renderings off on DH! I'm quite happy with the others eg Puffin,

books etc but I find the media spin-offs really deadly to

read....not written by writers IFSWIM

Was thinking that children really love illustrations and wondering

when imaginative picturing of a book begins to develop (forced to once

books stop having pictures, I remember resenting books which no longer

had line drawings, but at least you then develop your own personal

imagination of books - we ought to take this on to the coffee

bookgroup for a picture of Garnet, nein?)

[Guest guest]

This is exactly what my friend is saying - hers were all early readers

(v

brilliant family incl Nobel prize winning dad) - if they do it

naturally then fine, don't stop them -

but society has not to make a big fuss about it - you know, the

boastful mothers syndrome - if everyone else is left alone to get on

with it. I'd be interested to hear how it is handled when

Scandinavian children do learn to read at home on their own. But they

have got egalitarianism sorted, as I think Karina will be able to tell

us!!

Karina - how far back does that go historically?

Caro

Vicki wrote:

> Thanks, Caro - I'd be interested to see that data! My own theory is

that if

> they learn to read at a young age through exposure to familiar books

then so

> be it: I learnt to read like that at 4. But if they don't learn to

read

> 'naturally' while young then I'd prefer that they weren't *taught*

until

> 6ish or later. Of course, mine are read to on a regular

several-times-a-day

> basis Sadly, usually Teletubbies or Bob the Builder atm

Blimey Vicki, you are devoted! I even palm the Tank Engine

renderings off on DH! I'm quite happy with the others eg Puffin,

books etc but I find the media spin-offs really deadly to

read....not written by writers IFSWIM

Was thinking that children really love illustrations and wondering

when imaginative picturing of a book begins to develop (forced to once

books stop having pictures, I remember resenting books which no longer

had line drawings, but at least you then develop your own personal

imagination of books - we ought to take this on to the coffee

bookgroup for a picture of Garnet, nein?)

[Guest guest]

This is exactly what my friend is saying - hers were all early readers

(v

brilliant family incl Nobel prize winning dad) - if they do it

naturally then fine, don't stop them -

but society has not to make a big fuss about it - you know, the

boastful mothers syndrome - if everyone else is left alone to get on

with it. I'd be interested to hear how it is handled when

Scandinavian children do learn to read at home on their own. But they

have got egalitarianism sorted, as I think Karina will be able to tell

us!!

Karina - how far back does that go historically?

Caro

Vicki wrote:

> Thanks, Caro - I'd be interested to see that data! My own theory is

that if

> they learn to read at a young age through exposure to familiar books

then so

> be it: I learnt to read like that at 4. But if they don't learn to

read

> 'naturally' while young then I'd prefer that they weren't *taught*

until

> 6ish or later. Of course, mine are read to on a regular

several-times-a-day

> basis Sadly, usually Teletubbies or Bob the Builder atm

Blimey Vicki, you are devoted! I even palm the Tank Engine

renderings off on DH! I'm quite happy with the others eg Puffin,

books etc but I find the media spin-offs really deadly to

read....not written by writers IFSWIM

Was thinking that children really love illustrations and wondering

when imaginative picturing of a book begins to develop (forced to once

books stop having pictures, I remember resenting books which no longer

had line drawings, but at least you then develop your own personal

imagination of books - we ought to take this on to the coffee

bookgroup for a picture of Garnet, nein?)

[Guest guest]

Ah well, it pays off! They know that I *will not* read certain books - too

boring, no syntax, no story, whatever - so don't even bother to ask for them

any more (unless feeling mischievous). On the other hand, Teletubbies play

Hide & Seek is beginning to be replaced in their affections by

Carroll's Nonsense Songs - which they're far too young for, but we can all

bounce on the sofa shouting " They went to sea in a sieve, they did, they

went to sea in a sieve! " and Josh, bless his little heart, was asked if he

wanted honey on his toast this morning, and replied " NO! Plenty of money on

toast! " - I *so* know how he feels.

And every once in a while, we break up the infant-reading dross with an

adult favourite. Current ones include Duck in the Truck by Jed Alborough;

What can you do with a shoe? by Beatrice Schenck de Renieres (no, really!);

Husherbye by Cunningham; Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too by

Carle. Also, the Whale Song - for older children (6ish?) - I forget who

it's by, but the pictures are divine and the rhythm is lovely.

Anyway, there you go - this probably should be on the bookgroup list!!

Vicki

> Of course, mine are read to on a regular

> several-times-a-day

> > basis Sadly, usually Teletubbies or Bob the Builder atm

>

> Blimey Vicki, you are devoted! I even palm the Tank Engine

> renderings off on DH! I'm quite happy with the others eg Puffin,

> books etc but I find the media spin-offs really deadly to

> read....not written by writers IFSWIM

[Guest guest]

Ah well, it pays off! They know that I *will not* read certain books - too

boring, no syntax, no story, whatever - so don't even bother to ask for them

any more (unless feeling mischievous). On the other hand, Teletubbies play

Hide & Seek is beginning to be replaced in their affections by

Carroll's Nonsense Songs - which they're far too young for, but we can all

bounce on the sofa shouting " They went to sea in a sieve, they did, they

went to sea in a sieve! " and Josh, bless his little heart, was asked if he

wanted honey on his toast this morning, and replied " NO! Plenty of money on

toast! " - I *so* know how he feels.

And every once in a while, we break up the infant-reading dross with an

adult favourite. Current ones include Duck in the Truck by Jed Alborough;

What can you do with a shoe? by Beatrice Schenck de Renieres (no, really!);

Husherbye by Cunningham; Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too by

Carle. Also, the Whale Song - for older children (6ish?) - I forget who

it's by, but the pictures are divine and the rhythm is lovely.

Anyway, there you go - this probably should be on the bookgroup list!!

Vicki

> Of course, mine are read to on a regular

> several-times-a-day

> > basis Sadly, usually Teletubbies or Bob the Builder atm

>

> Blimey Vicki, you are devoted! I even palm the Tank Engine

> renderings off on DH! I'm quite happy with the others eg Puffin,

> books etc but I find the media spin-offs really deadly to

> read....not written by writers IFSWIM

[Guest guest]

Ah well, it pays off! They know that I *will not* read certain books - too

boring, no syntax, no story, whatever - so don't even bother to ask for them

any more (unless feeling mischievous). On the other hand, Teletubbies play

Hide & Seek is beginning to be replaced in their affections by

Carroll's Nonsense Songs - which they're far too young for, but we can all

bounce on the sofa shouting " They went to sea in a sieve, they did, they

went to sea in a sieve! " and Josh, bless his little heart, was asked if he

wanted honey on his toast this morning, and replied " NO! Plenty of money on

toast! " - I *so* know how he feels.

And every once in a while, we break up the infant-reading dross with an

adult favourite. Current ones include Duck in the Truck by Jed Alborough;

What can you do with a shoe? by Beatrice Schenck de Renieres (no, really!);

Husherbye by Cunningham; Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too by

Carle. Also, the Whale Song - for older children (6ish?) - I forget who

it's by, but the pictures are divine and the rhythm is lovely.

Anyway, there you go - this probably should be on the bookgroup list!!

Vicki

> Of course, mine are read to on a regular

> several-times-a-day

> > basis Sadly, usually Teletubbies or Bob the Builder atm

>

> Blimey Vicki, you are devoted! I even palm the Tank Engine

> renderings off on DH! I'm quite happy with the others eg Puffin,

> books etc but I find the media spin-offs really deadly to

> read....not written by writers IFSWIM

[Guest guest]

Of course, I don't mean Carroll, do I? I mean Lear.

I'll get me coat...

Vicki Portman

http://www.plushpants.co.uk

I wurbled:

>

> Carroll's Nonsense Songs

[Guest guest]

Of course, I don't mean Carroll, do I? I mean Lear.

I'll get me coat...

Vicki Portman

http://www.plushpants.co.uk

I wurbled:

>

> Carroll's Nonsense Songs

[Guest guest]

Of course, I don't mean Carroll, do I? I mean Lear.

I'll get me coat...

Vicki Portman

http://www.plushpants.co.uk

I wurbled:

>

> Carroll's Nonsense Songs

[Guest guest]

>>I'd be interested to hear how it is handled when

>>Scandinavian children do learn to read at home on >>their own.

In Norway we don't teach kids to read at home, it's considered something to

learn at school - something to look forward too. That having been said, books

are rated very highly, and I think most parents read stories for their children

to some extent, visit libraries etc.

So kids will be familiar with books, but noone will expect them to even attempt

reading and writing unless they are really keen themselves.

Typically, some kids will be able to write their name when they start school

(now at 6 rather than 7), whereas others wont, and it doesn't matter.

>>But they have got egalitarianism sorted, as I

>> think Karina will be able to tell us!! Karina -

>>how far back does that go historically?

What, the egalitarianism? Not that far, it's always easier to maintain such

principles when a country is doing well, and Norway really has only had a good

economy now since WW2 (bar the Viking age!). Though Norway was always much more

equal than eg Sweden (which had a proper elite) - probably mostly due to

geography. Because of distances and lots of rivers, islands, mountains, etc -

people have always had to fend for themselves rather than relying on authority,

so there is a certain equalness and stubborness in the psyche I suppose.

Karina

Mum to Emilia (Oct 98) and Sebastian (Aug 00)