Why is this such a pain?
So, Munchkin is 6, and she’s, in some ways, a very standard sort of 6-year-old girl. Princesses and dress up mixed with drawing and kung fu (okay, maybe not standard, but you know what I mean). She’s only just turned 6 and is still, socially and emotionally speaking, a kindergartner transitioning to first-grader.
In other ways, though, she’s not so standard. Now, I realize that all kids are different and all parents think their kid is brilliant, but mine is. She’s reading at far above her grade level, can do the first grade math with ease, and can do complicated puzzles herself (though she WANTS people to do it with her, which is really more social than skill). She does Sudoku (not my level, but she does do it).
So I have a bit of a problem. When it comes to reading materials and computer games, she’s a challenge to me. Intellectually, she’s definitely ready for the 7-10, some things even higher. Socially, not so much. So I’m having some difficulty finding books and games that are both intellectually challenging and age-appropriate. I can find things that are age-appropriate, and she is less than challenged. I can find things that are challenging, but they aren’t age appropriate. Why is this such a pain? Don’t other people have smart 6-year-olds? They have to, right?
I figured I’d open this up to the collective mind of the internet. Help me. I don’t want to spend scads of money, but I want her to have things that are both challenging and appropriate.
Some things I have found that work are the I Spy hidden object games from Scholastic – but they’re pretty expensive for what you get. E-bay helps some there. My BFF sent some interesting books – some are not so challenging, some more challenging. She did a good job. She digs the Magic Tree House and Magic School Bus books, and we definitely do lots of those. But I’d welcome more book suggestions. Keep in mind I want her to read them herself, so short chapters work better. Also, she has a vivid imagination, so she will scare herself sick if it’s too creepy or scary.
Do you have suggestions for PC games and/or books that might work for an intellectually advanced but socially/emotionally average 6-year-old girl? Heeeelp meeeee…..
Try Encyclopedia Brown books, they are like magic school bus with a little mystery. Nothing scary, just fun learning.
I’m in a holding pattern between kids and grandkids (kids just getting out on their own and me wishing they were stable enough to entertain me with grandkids) so I’m no help. Have you talked to bookstores? Perhaps a teacher could suggest something?