I've been volunteering to work with at-risk children for the summer. The program pairs us up with an elementary-age child in a community housing environment - throughout the course of the program we tutor and mentor these children, and of course have fun and play games. The last session is coming up and my kid has really taken a liking to me, and I to her - I've been wanting to get her a small present but I'm really having trouble thinking of something! If all else fails I might get her a book, but she's not *that* great at reading (hence the tutoring) and ... well frankly if I was a kid with her interests I probably wouldn't think a book would be a fun present. But if it comes down to it, she likes mystery novels - however I don't know of any good ones for her level. Like I said before, she does have a bit of trouble reading and is not quite up to where she should be (think Goosebumps level), so any suggestions would be great! She in grade five going on to grade six, and she likes to write songs and poems (she showed me a few of them). I want thinking of getting her something to do with that - maybe a notebook or special pen (probably both) for her to write her songs in - what do you think? I want to avoid giving her food/clothes/money - though she needs them I'm handing them over to the program directly so they can distribute it amongst the community. I don't want to patronize her and I'm sure she'd want something a bit more fun. Any ideas will be great as well. Thanks!
Haven't thought about a diary! I guess if I got her a nice notebook she could use it as a diary though, I'm kinda leaning towards that. Thanks! Keep em coming.
I think you can also give her some books related to some poems or interested kid stories, may be that help her in increasing her IQ. Sorry, if i am wrong or you dont like idea, but it will work
Oh, she's far from 'dumb', she's actually amazingly intelligent and witty. It's just because of the environment she grew up in, no one ever really taught her to read properly. The only reason I don't think books is a good idea, is because ... I dunno. It would be like giving your child free math tutor lessons for their birthday to help them through math class. Not fun if they don't enjoy it in the first place (although she does enjoy reading, she just has some trouble with it). Thanks for your suggestion though!
dont get her a book! what fun are books to little kids? if u wanna get her something fun, get her a pack of condoms. theres ur fun right there.
Nice suggestion you mean a 5th grade girl will enjoy with condom.. will you gift same thing to your daughter too, at this age. Really cant expect such things at DP, that too for a small girl. Please mod do something so that people will not make fun of anyone.
sure? y not? how old are 5th grades? 12? there were lots of kids in my middle school who lost there verginity even before that!
so you want to encourage all kids, giving the sex education is fine and making them aware of the things the best parents can do, but presenting a condom pack. this means you are asking your kids that go ahead and have sex at the age of 12 (as per you). When you know it is not safe either. Anyways no issues upto you, but i didnt agree with suggestion.
She likes to write songs... Does she play piano or any other instrument? You could get her a small keyboard. Or what about a picture of you and her together, in a nice frame?
Thanks for the suggesions (though I'll pass on the condoms ). I think she's a little too old for soft toys. There's a point when you're younger when it's a good present, there's a point when you're older when it's a cute present, and then there's the time in between where it's an embarassing present. I'm pretty sure she's not really into barbies and things either, she's a bit of a tomboy! She doesn't play an instrument either. I think I might just go with the notebook, but let me know if you think of anything else..
I think there's a line between being funny and beig rude. I'm generally good-humoured, but some people in this thread have crossed it.
If she is into music you can get an MP3 player that is pretty nice for not a lot of $, I got one for my friends little sister that is about that age and it went over very well.