early reader problem (ideas being given for Rebecca) -- Unit Study Helps Message Board

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Subject:

early reader problem (ideas being given for Rebecca)

Author:
LeeAnn

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Date Posted: 15:36:25 09/23/05 Fri

I was an early reader, too. I began at age 2 and was reading classic novels and poetry by 5 years old. I was often called "weird" and similar things. But I did not try to do my reading when it was time to do other things. I did most of my reading at home and at the library. I did not take books to dance class or playing in the neighborhood.

Perhaps you could explain to your little girl that other kids haven't caught on as fast as she has, but they will, eventually. She also needs to learn that there is a time and place to do different things. In this case, reading around others makes the other kids feel as though they are not as intelligent and that hurts their feelings, so out of consideration for the feelings of others, she could refrain from taking her books to group events.

Also, a bright kid needs time to play and learn non-book skills; obviously, you are meeting that need with her. But she needs to have adult friends who recognize and reinforce her abilities in book learning, acting as mentors. My son, the computer geek :) , found a couple of adult males with abilities in technological fields who were open to friendship with him. These men were a comfort to my nonsocial son while he was too immature to deal with non-geeks (he's good enough at it now to work and share an apartment with other geeks, but he may never interact well with "ordinary" folks, as he has Asperger Syndrome. Perhaps there is an eccentric aunt or someone in your religious community who could be trusted to befriend and converse with her. It's good to explain to kids that they can have friends of many ages and can find MORE friends if they reach out to other age groups.

She can also learn to handle verbal abuse by using humor. My son often pointed out to the name-calling crowd that Bill Gates is a nerd, too, and NOBODY would dare to pick on him now. He says that it's never wise to tease a nerd because guess who will be the employers of the future? Nerds. You and your girl might come up with something mildly humorous but thoroughly true to use as a comeback.

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