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So, what do you do with an advanced reader?
My oldest is eight, and I recently realized that he reads at about a high school level. While I'm delighted on one level, I'm realizing that this creates a new problem. How much should I monitor his reading?
I am certain about a few points. I firmly believe in the right and the freedom to read what each person wants to read. I think that is a necessary component of freedom of thought, and I believe the freedom of thought may be the saving grace of mankind. I also believe that no subject should be completely off limits if the boys want to ask a question or know more. For the most part, I believe it is better to encourage an open discussion than to make a subject verboten. Furthermore, I think that becoming aware of adult concepts, be it anything from death to sexuality to nuclear arms, in small doses from books is not necessarily a bad thing. By that I mean that if I had my choice between keeping the boys completely in the dark about a subject and then springing it on them in some weighty discussion or having them become slowly aware through references in their reading, I think I would prefer the latter. On a more selfish level, I also know that I want time to read my own books.
All of that said, I am still left with the question of how much I should monitor my oldest's reading? Do I need to read every book before he reads it so I can know everything to which he is exposed, thereby ending my own free reading? Should I read to protect him (and his intense love of reading) because he is sensitive and doesn't want to confront certain realities? Or should I give him the freedom to read whatever he wants while letting him know that my door is always open to discuss any questions he might have? Or is there some other happy medium?
Thoughts, anyone?
Annie
