What do you want your children reading?

[Patroclus]

I am curious about this. Some of you, I know, are homeschoolers. I was homeschooled for eleven years, and I did not do as much reading as I think I should have because I basically fought my parents all the way through JH and HS--oh well. But, I want to know is how much you want your children reading. Please try to give some specific reasons.

[Patroclus]

Will the moderator please change "child," in the last field, to "children?"

Thanks

[Entropic Gnosis]

In a hypothetical world where i have offspring i would have them read almost anything they wanted to read. The more varried the reading material the more ideas and words (oh how i love words) enter into their heads. That having been said, there are some books i would not want small children to read. Much of this has to do with reading ability and/or complicated ideas that would confuse them no end. However i would not prevent them from reading almost anything in their reading level (what ever that may be) I guess i have a personal bias that way because that is how i read books when i was younger. If it had words i read it and my parents really didnt mind what it was i was reading.

[Rubia Warren]

I want my kids to read anything they can get their hands on, provided it is age-appropriate, and it's not something weird, like, how to make a bomb, or start a riot, or something!LOL I think it's important for kids to love to read from a young age.... my mother read to me from the time I was a baby, and I read on my own when I was 3 and a half, it was my favorite thing to do all through school.
I have no probs with my kids reading whatever they want to read, I would especially like for them to read a lot of the classics, but if something is not christian, it doesn't mean I won't let them read it. It just all depends on what it is.

[Ryokan]

I would say anything, but age appropriateness is a concern. I was reading Stphen King at ten, but that doesn't mean I ought to have.

[Solly]

Like the majority so far, I went for the last but one option, but i don't think that is clear enough.

If I didn't let him read anything contrary to my beliefs, that would not leave him much, since most books are contrary to my beliefs. that does not mean I let them read nothing at all, or anything they want. I usually vet what he is reading. He is reading the Redwall books at the moment, and the Series of Unfortunate Events. He won't be reading Harry Potter or Goosebumps or Christopher Pike.

[$cirisme]

05-14-2003 @ 01:03 AM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=95860#post95860)
Patroclus:

Will the moderator please change "child," in the last field, to "children?"

Thanks

/me sees this as an opportunity to boost post count.

Sure. :brow:

[Hadassah]

I think that Solly brings out a great point. Although I would love for my children to read as much as they can, I will not, however, let them read "anything they can get their hands on". There are a lot of things out there that I would not want my children to read. This does not mean that they will only read books that I "agree" with. This does mean, though, that whatever they read, my husband or I will have read it first. We are given the responsibility of shaping their minds and consciences, and we must take great care when we set out to do this.

Hadassah

[Peek-a-boo-baby]

I think the imporant thing in all this is to know what your children are reading so that you can open discussions with them about aspects which are reinforcing, troubling, or contradictory to your beliefs. You shouldn't limit what your child reads, just monitor it for age-appropriateness.

[prgmrdave]

Today @ 03:02 PM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=120615#post120615)
Peek-a-boo-baby:

I think the imporant thing in all this is to know what your children are reading so that you can open discussions with them about aspects which are reinforcing, troubling, or contradictory to your beliefs. You shouldn't limit what your child reads, just monitor it for age-appropriateness.

What she said :thumb:

If my beliefs aren't able to withstand questions brought up by what my kids read, I need to do some reading of my own :smile:

[ACow]

i've put down the last option, and i have to agree with what the last two have said.

In the make believe world where i have children, i will generally want them reading anything they can get their hands on. I would probably set what is "age appropriate" somewhere different, considering i was reading stephen king back in primary school, and Heinlen and other such "questionable" material.

I'd let my child read all of the things i did at their age. Most of the things that i view as objectionable i doubt my child would actually be able to read until they were mature enough anyway. However, if my children say came home and said "Dad, do we have a copy of a book called "Mein Kampf", i'd talk with them about it, ask them why they want to know, but i would not stop them from reading it and would go get it off the bookdshelf for them if they wanted it. And once they had, hopefully they will bee better able to understand why it is such a peice of rubbish.

I would probably go so far to say that as they start to mature and enter the teenage years, i'd be somewhat dissapointed if they didn't expand thier horizons and pick up some "objectionable" material or other such literary peices that disagree with their or my beliefs.

And if anyone is just wondering, yes, of course i'd let them read the bible too. The several copies i have would probably be sitting in the bookshelf alongside the koran and tao te ching etc which i would also let them read. And hopefully we could talk about or discuss it in someway.

For all the mistakes my parents made, the one thing that i'm eternally gratefull for is the fact that my father had several bookshelves full of books for me to go investigate, and read books like "Beak of the Moon" at bed time before i went to school. One of the worst things i could comprehend in life is trying to stop my child from reading, whatever it is they're interested in.

[Little_Aphid]

06-12-2003 @ 12:58 AM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=120754#post120754)
ACow:

i've put down the last option, and i have to agree with what the last two have said.

In the make believe world where i have children, i will generally want them reading anything they can get their hands on. I would probably set what is "age appropriate" somewhere different, considering i was reading stephen king back in primary school, and Heinlen and other such "questionable" material.

I'd let my child read all of the things i did at their age. Most of the things that i view as objectionable i doubt my child would actually be able to read until they were mature enough anyway. However, if my children say came home and said "Dad, do we have a copy of a book called "Mein Kampf", i'd talk with them about it, ask them why they want to know, but i would not stop them from reading it and would go get it off the bookdshelf for them if they wanted it. And once they had, hopefully they will bee better able to understand why it is such a peice of rubbish.

I would probably go so far to say that as they start to mature and enter the teenage years, i'd be somewhat dissapointed if they didn't expand thier horizons and pick up some "objectionable" material or other such literary peices that disagree with their or my beliefs.

And if anyone is just wondering, yes, of course i'd let them read the bible too. The several copies i have would probably be sitting in the bookshelf alongside the koran and tao te ching etc which i would also let them read. And hopefully we could talk about or discuss it in someway.

For all the mistakes my parents made, the one thing that i'm eternally gratefull for is the fact that my father had several bookshelves full of books for me to go investigate, and read books like "Beak of the Moon" at bed time before i went to school. One of the worst things i could comprehend in life is trying to stop my child from reading, whatever it is they're interested in.

Exactly. I couldn't've put it better myself. My parents have always allowed me to read pretty much whatever I wanted (provided I could handle it eg. they wouldn't let me read erotica at age thirteen. :teeth: )

I was reading Tom Robbins books at age twelve (btw, they're excellent. I recommend them) and Earth's Children Series at age eleven, as well as Vampire Chronicals. I have not once regretted reading them that early, and if I had children, I'd let them read those books at the age I read them. Including any religious books they might want to read, or other questionable material of the sort.

Just my two cents.

[SynchroKnight]

Comic books!

I'm serious. I loved them as a kid and I would at least "try" to encourage my (hypothetical) children to give them a look-see.

Comics are deceptive. They seem like all fluff and fist-fights but often they are dealing with pretty "weighty" issues (like bigotry, duty to friends, honor, the nature of justice etc.).

I find them an adequate springboard to exploring other forms of literature.

I'm with the others who favor a wide open reading list. The more you read of all genres, the better able you are to tell the good from the bad.

my $0.02

[Epoetker]

*notes that Gabe of Penny Arcade, after seeing the graphic sex advice in supposedly 'preteen' magazines, vowed to raise his daughters on comic books and violent videogames.*

No Harry Potter, Solly? Age appropriateness issue or issues with the spiritual content? We could use a nuanced voice down at the Library discussions on it.

[Ryokan]

I have read and read alot of comics, and though age is a concern here as well, I think kids should be able to read them.

[automatthew]

My kids will be allowed to read anything they want, as long as it's by Chesterton.

Okay, Kierkegaard too, if they ask really nice.

--
Matthew

[luv1another]

as a parent of 3 children 11,8 and 5.
I allow my oldest to read things that I think are ok :smile: meaning I don't allow her to read witchcraft books or how to make spells etc or harry potter or scary stuff. but she is an avid reader and has read the narnia series, the adults and kids version of pilgrims progress, she has read biographies of people. she already has a desire to go to Israel one day and preach Jesus to the Jews so she is reading about srael and wants to learn hebrew and stuff.... but mostly she chosses her own books and what she choooses is 99.9% of the time just fine :smile:
with the 8 yr old well he isnt really into books, but when he is it wont be girly books or scary stuff :tongue: and the 5 yr old well she wont be reading anything I believe goes against the word of God either :) so basicly I base their reading on stuff that is good and is not going to give them nightmares or allow them to think that witch craft is good.

[Dr T]

Anything that is suitable for the age. As wide as possible, and certainly not restricted to what I like.

Particulay found Harry Potter to be a good choice. The basic story is about a stand against evil, and how even a child can make a difference. True it is set in a world of magic, but then so is ever fairy story.

Spoiler for the story, particularly the last one.

But did any one else find the scene where the picture of the founders of the order of the phoenix was shown to Harry moving? Virtually every one on it had died fighting evil, often sacrificing themselves for their loved ones.

Still not that big a surprise, Harry Potter is the 'boy that lived' because of his mother's love. A mother's love for her child being seen as one of the most powerful forces in the world.

[themuzicman]

I certainly wouldn't want my kids reading Betty Friedan. :whack:

Michael

[Jayne]

Today @ 12:13 AM post located here (http://www.theologyweb.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=160932#post160932)
Dr T:
But did any one else find the scene where the picture of the founders of the order of the phoenix was shown to Harry moving? Virtually every one on it had died fighting evil, often sacrificing themselves for their loved ones.


Given I can't even remember that scene I have to say no. Good book, though I'm with the crowd that wouldn't give it to a child.

I choose "anything that doesn't conflict with my beliefs", but that's only true up to a certain age. Around 15 my (hypothetical and unlikely future) children would be able to choose what they read completely. Simply because that's where my attitude changes from them being a child to being a young adult. They deserve some freedom, and I'd rather they start exploring whilst I still have some influence.

[anthrogirl]

Dontcha just LOVE it when these ooooold threads are resurrected?!?!?!

I was reading Hemmingway, Steinbeck, Shakespeare and Salinger when I was in 3rd - 4th grade--my father always encouraged me to read as much and as freely as was reasonable (and then we would discuss what I had read, looking not only for literary elements, but also for glimpses into the human experience). He always promoted the classics. This was probably one of my father's greatest parenting successes (despite the fact that he may have turned me into a super-nerd). Later, when I went to a private Christian High School (it was bizzarely conservative), I was put on probation for writing a book report on Herman Hesse's Siddartha for my A.P. English class.

If I ever have children, I will pay close attention to what they read. I will probably get them started very early (I was reading on my own by age 3). Hopefully, if I familiarize them with great literature early in their lives, it will inspire their preferances as they grow older (I simply don't know what I would do if they grew an affinity for Michael Chrichton or something :shocked: ) .


ag

[learning]

reading at 3? Wow!

I have found a good book that has ideas for books to read to or for children, and the library or any children's book store would have some books that list the 'best 100 books for children' or something like that. There are library web sites on the net that suggest good books for different ages. Even though this book is Christian, there are some who say you might want to skip some of the books she suggests. (whether that is a time consideration, quality or whatever, I'm not sure)

The book is "Honey for a Child's Heart" by Gladys Hunt (she also has 'Honey for a Teen's Heart' and I think one for women too)
Here's a couple more that I haven't got, but these recommend books to be read, 'Books Children Love' by Elizabeth Wilson.

There's a book called 'Books that Build Character' by Kilpatrick and Wolfe that mention all kinds of books from classics to contemporary fiction that would 'all celebrate virtues and values'

I really liked 'Honey for a Child's Heart' as she mentions books by category, age, and also talks about discussion, especially good is the discussion she mentions her family would have around the table after they would read the Bible. Her father would ask questions to really get them thinking, it sounds.

I have a good book from a Canadian books store called 'Chapters' and it recommends books for children, by age, and by the awards given, be it Caldecort, Newberry or librarian awards.

There is also a book out that has a list of the 100 best books to 'read aloud'. I find that reading 'aloud' is a great way to bond with your kids, and one can keep doing it even when they get older. Some kids don't want to bother with it as they learn to read on their own, but if you make it a special night time thing, they are less likely to object. :)

[just Johnna]

I answered the second to last--anything that does not directly contradict. But I'm very relaxed, close to the last answer. More often than not we're talking about contradictory elements rather than banning them. Of course, my children are still young, so when they come across things in books that offend them, they complain about how yucky it is.

My mom was not a reader but told me not to read a book when anyone told her was "bad," which I don't think was a good strategy. I want to have an atmosphere of abundance and honesty. I do things to make good kid books available and accessible. Moms have lots of environmental influence, even when it isn't overt.


I want my kids reading because it puts power in their hands. I think general comfort with reading makes the Bible more accessible. I don't want my children beholden to anyone, so I want them to be able to read and think critically.


I did steer my 10-year-old away from the Inuyasha manga on the recommendation of our 20-year-old former babysitter. Of course that all got started when babysitter came home from college and told my daughter how she's following the series when we all got together for Thanksgiving. I found some Ravemaster manga to fill that space, but my daughter decided it had inappopriate elements too, so we're on the lookout for some manga she would enjoy.

Ten-year-old is a voracious reader with an interest in Fantasy. She's loves Eragon, but finds Tolkien too stiff still.

My eight-year-old is also a reader, but pickier about subject. Determined to find something to read that her sister isn't interested in. She loved Spiderwick, so now we're looking for what to read next. Usually won't touch fantasy because her older sister reads it. Yes, she's very competitive.

Five-year-old much prefering to be read to. Same as my oldest daughter was at this stage. I need to do another family book, reading a chapter a night, like we did with Wizard of Oz. We just finished the first Spiderwick as a group though the girls already read it, but my son was bored. Suggestions for a chapter book to read to a boy in kindergarten?

Two-year-old thinks she can read, of course. Points at all the letters and identifies them on her own system, holds books and looks serious when the rest of us read, sings along with the hymns at church but making up her own verses, must have her own hymnal.

[learning]

Have you read the 'Magic Tree House' Books? Good for primary age. They are about a brother and sister that travel through time, and learn about books or history. There really isn't 'magic' in it other than the tree house spins when they point to a picture on a book cover and say 'I wish to be there' and then they are in that place and time. They get home, more or less, the same way. I found I liked reading these books with my younger ones. (You can even get a couple of books that go into detail about some things, like 'weather' that goes with the 'Twister on Tuesday' etc.) It really makes history exciting for kids, and it makes it seem an adventure. I really like them.


We are reading a series (with an older child) that has some stuff to do with witches and wizards, and I'm not too sure about it. The author copies a lot of things from C.S. Lewis' 'Chronicles of Narnia' and J.R. Tolkien's books and even something we thought came from 'The Wizard of Oz'. It is called 'The Secrets of Droon'. Anybody else read them, and what do you think of them? I haven't found anything really 'bad' but I get uneasy at times when they talk about how this 'friend' is a wizard in training who is trying not to give into some of her 'witch' powers that she has.