having fun and being happy

[molk]

just wanted to share this. my ds started in reception in september. even though i was pleased he was happy and really enjoying school, i found myself becoming bogged down by what book band he was on, how well he knew phonics etc.. This week his teacher arranged a drop in session where we could just go and observe our children at school. it was a great experience .there were lots of fun activities going on, all educational but without the children realising. it made me see things from a whole new perspective. phonics, reading and maths are such a small part of what school is about when you are 5. i feel really proud of my son for being happy and trying his best.

[TinaSparkles]

Thanks good to hear Molk. My DD starts this August and am forever wondering how she will cope. She is at nursery 4 days a week and am wondering what difference there is, though she is coming home more and more with activity sheets and learning words and numbers.

Good to know there is a fun element too with school.

[Beasknees]

And i went to visit a school today for dd due to start in sept and was pleasantly surprised about what a fun environment it was.

So much better than in my days and the head teacher emphasised how important play was, Really liked it and didn't expect to.

[sarararararah]

Hoorah! You are SO right. Make sure you avoid all those competitive parents who are so caught up by which book level their child is reading at. Sounds like your DS is in a lovely school. Glad you had your epiphany (I speak as a Reception teacher) Now, if only I could get the parents of my children to realise that we work really hard to make things as engaging, interesting, exciting and fun as possible, and stop moaning about lost gloves etc, my week would be made! Sorry, feeling a bit jaded this week.

[havoc]

What a good idea, and I'm glad you are reassured about his schooling! I'm very guilty of obsessing about book bands, but when its the only indication of you childs progress its very difficult not to become over focused on it. (That's my excuse anyway!) I'm currently training myself to chill out and back off a bit.

Good on your school, though, for letting, you see what goes on.

[molk]

it is so easy to get caught up with competative parents. a couple of parents told me their children , also in reception, were doing pages of beautiful joined up writing. this of course turned out to be a complete lie, but it was enough to completely panic me. whenever anything like this comes up now, i don't get drawn in. i really admire all you teachers by the way for putting up with us parents so good naturedly.

[notanidea]

true - listen to everyone but DONT panic. It is like a rat race. If you are not aware you will be sucked in without you ralising. It gets worse as they progress throught the school . DD is in year 4 and they had recent tests at school and one of the mums said that she knew what has been written in most of the childrens academic reports and her daughter is the topper in the class (my DD s class). Not even sure how anybody can know that.No chance of her knowing what DD had on her report - she certainly is not the topper but does not struggle either.Sorry to make you feel scared. You are doing a wonderful job and thats how primary school should be .Well done. We keep reminding ourselves that our DD has one childhood and we wont spoil that for her.

[seeker]

I'm a sovernor and this week I've been showing prospective new head teachers round the school. It's been an amazing expreience - as a parent and as a governor I find that I've been focussing on the things that need to be done - where we're going if you see what I mean. Doing the tours made me look at where we are, and the lovely happy place the school is.

[icancancan]

as per my previous post on 4 yr old not reading, it is soooo easy to get sucked into the whole competitive stuff - even at 4 more fool me!! in my defence, new to all this school stuff. was particularly happy though when the teacher said despite not picking up phonics sounds he was happy and socialising well - isn't that what it's really about at this age?

[notanidea]

absolutely icancan. One of our friends son - just turned 5 is going to start kumon .Apparently her daughter has been doing kumon since she she was in recpetion.

[notanidea]

I have known him since 2 - he is a baby according to me.I cant believe he is actually in school let alone doing extra work after school.

[Clary]

that kumon is blimming expensive too eh? We got a leaflet this week and I was maiking this face

This is lovely to hear molk, I have been working in an FS2 class (as a relief TA) all this term and I said to the teacher only this week, anyone who worries about children being too young for school should just come and see what we do - the kids could quite easily spend most of the day playing play-dough and dressing up.

And plenty do! But without knowing it they are learning about taking turns, refining their motor skills etc etc.

[molk]

it is great to be able to see them at school. i found it really hard when he went from being at pre school 15 hours, where i felt i knew pretty much what he was up to, to going to school full time. i just didn't know what he was up to, as he won't really tell me. i felt i couldn't picture him at school. now i can i feel happy. our teacher is going to do these drop in sessions at different times each week for half an hour a time. perfect for worriers like me. and he liked me and his sister (2 and half), popping in to.