My Tuesday book club consists of four best friends aged 7 and 8. These girls have been members for almost a year. Their parents collectively wanted them to gain confidence in and improve their reading ability. Each month, I endeavour to introduce them to new titles, new authors and steer them away from the much loved Rainbow Magic Fairies. In the past two months, they had focused on various Roald Dahl titles as their teacher had read 'The Twits' in class. Since we had read Roald Dahl two months in a row, I suggested last month that they choose something different. They were familiar with David Walliams and one of them picked 'Mr Stink' from the shelf. We discussed this title, looked at the blurb and flicked through the pages. I always suggest the child should flick through the pages to view the amount of words, any illustrations, size of text etc. I think it important they do this as the inside of a book may not be as agreeable as the jacket. So, off the girls went with 'Mr Stink' as their book club choice.
Fast forward to this week and this month's meeting. As with each meeting, one parent brought them to the store. Before the girls took a seat, I had a little chat with the mother who told me how wrong 'Mr Stink' was for them. She said the girls were unable to read a lot of the bigger words and lacked a lot of comprehension. She then suggested to the girls that they pick something from the Beginner Read section instead. It was obvious that a conversation about exactly this had occurred prior to the meeting.
I want to state the parent was not, in any way, rude to me. However, I felt completely responsible. I couldn't help but feel like I failed myself, the parents and the kids in supporting their choice of book which I should have known was wrong. I believed too much that the girls were able for this level of reading. The truth be told, I think I wanted to believe them more than doubt them. Surely if their level of reading had progressed to this level, that would somehow be reflective on me. My ego may just have been the stronger presence that day.
In a bid to not allow the same instance to happen again, I told the girls that at least they now had a comparison between a Roald Dahl book and a David Walliams book that was aimed at older kids. With this comparison, I explained, they could then look at all their book choices in the future and know exactly what they're able to read and what is too difficult.
I wanted to share this with you because with all the things that happen in any given week, it is experiences like this that make me more aware. I realised more than ever how it is important to ask the appropriate questions ensuring the child make the best book choice. This is a difficult task as I don't think it correct to doubt a child in a way that impinges their confidence. However, I do become better at not being misled by what a child wants to read over what they're actually able to read.
Lesson learned – and a valuable one at that!!
Fast forward to this week and this month's meeting. As with each meeting, one parent brought them to the store. Before the girls took a seat, I had a little chat with the mother who told me how wrong 'Mr Stink' was for them. She said the girls were unable to read a lot of the bigger words and lacked a lot of comprehension. She then suggested to the girls that they pick something from the Beginner Read section instead. It was obvious that a conversation about exactly this had occurred prior to the meeting.
I want to state the parent was not, in any way, rude to me. However, I felt completely responsible. I couldn't help but feel like I failed myself, the parents and the kids in supporting their choice of book which I should have known was wrong. I believed too much that the girls were able for this level of reading. The truth be told, I think I wanted to believe them more than doubt them. Surely if their level of reading had progressed to this level, that would somehow be reflective on me. My ego may just have been the stronger presence that day.
In a bid to not allow the same instance to happen again, I told the girls that at least they now had a comparison between a Roald Dahl book and a David Walliams book that was aimed at older kids. With this comparison, I explained, they could then look at all their book choices in the future and know exactly what they're able to read and what is too difficult.
I wanted to share this with you because with all the things that happen in any given week, it is experiences like this that make me more aware. I realised more than ever how it is important to ask the appropriate questions ensuring the child make the best book choice. This is a difficult task as I don't think it correct to doubt a child in a way that impinges their confidence. However, I do become better at not being misled by what a child wants to read over what they're actually able to read.
Lesson learned – and a valuable one at that!!