Age Appropriate
I've read things on my f-list. I've seen things in the paper and online. I've heard things in the office and while waiting in line. How young is too young to see GoF/get a cell phone/have a boy/girlfriend? Every time this question is posed I can only come up with the same answer: it depends on the child and the situation.
For example, I have two little cousins as I'm sure most of you have heard about. There is Ryann, who is nine, and Tyffany, who is six. Although Ryann is older Tyffany is more emotionally stable than Ryann. Ryann catches onto things faster than Tyffany does, but is less mature in some ways.
When making plans to see Goblet of Fire I had no second thoughts about taking the 6yo, but Ryann I worried about. Would it be too intense for her? Would she talk during the movie? Could she sit still? Most of these worries were easily dismissed since I had the experience of a midnight release of PoA to fall back on. Ryann behaved beautifully then and enjoyed the experience greatly. She still talks about it and wants to do it again. But still, it wasn't the younger girl I was concerned about, it was the elder.
Tyffany has always been able to handle things better than Ryann. My first shock came two years ago when, as a four-year-old, Tyffany become completely engrossed with the Lord of the Rings movies. *baffled* They didn't scare her, she understood them as much as a four-year-old can and she enjoyed them. Ryann couldn't sit through them, was frightened by some scenes and still doesn't care for them. Tyffany still goes for LotR anytime she's asked to pick out a movie to watch.
And there are many other examples I could give. Ryann crying because Tyffany was winning at a board game and Tyffany's indifference to me ending the game early. Ryann screaming because there are geese following us while Tyffany slowly (and quietly) backed away like I had asked them too. I just don't get it. *shrugs*
That is why I say everything depends on the child in question. That is why I shudder in shock when Kim mentions giving Ryann a cell phone. That is why Tyffany saying she has a boyfriend makes me giggle and not groan. Every child is different and sometimes the younger ones are better prepared than the older ones.
For example, I have two little cousins as I'm sure most of you have heard about. There is Ryann, who is nine, and Tyffany, who is six. Although Ryann is older Tyffany is more emotionally stable than Ryann. Ryann catches onto things faster than Tyffany does, but is less mature in some ways.
When making plans to see Goblet of Fire I had no second thoughts about taking the 6yo, but Ryann I worried about. Would it be too intense for her? Would she talk during the movie? Could she sit still? Most of these worries were easily dismissed since I had the experience of a midnight release of PoA to fall back on. Ryann behaved beautifully then and enjoyed the experience greatly. She still talks about it and wants to do it again. But still, it wasn't the younger girl I was concerned about, it was the elder.
Tyffany has always been able to handle things better than Ryann. My first shock came two years ago when, as a four-year-old, Tyffany become completely engrossed with the Lord of the Rings movies. *baffled* They didn't scare her, she understood them as much as a four-year-old can and she enjoyed them. Ryann couldn't sit through them, was frightened by some scenes and still doesn't care for them. Tyffany still goes for LotR anytime she's asked to pick out a movie to watch.
And there are many other examples I could give. Ryann crying because Tyffany was winning at a board game and Tyffany's indifference to me ending the game early. Ryann screaming because there are geese following us while Tyffany slowly (and quietly) backed away like I had asked them too. I just don't get it. *shrugs*
That is why I say everything depends on the child in question. That is why I shudder in shock when Kim mentions giving Ryann a cell phone. That is why Tyffany saying she has a boyfriend makes me giggle and not groan. Every child is different and sometimes the younger ones are better prepared than the older ones.