What are the differences between reception and year 1?

[jaded]

Hello - I know it depends on the school but what are the differences between reception and year one? My DD is enjoying reception more now (she is 5 in April) but still complains about all the sitting down. I just wondered how much more sitting down there is in year one? And have your children settled well? I've heard there is a huge leap in expectations etc and some find the transition hard

[mrz]

As you say it depends on the school our Y1 is run on similar lines to reception (not a lot of sitting down)The biggest difference is there isn't as much space

[kissingfrogs]

I'd ask the teacher about exactly how much sitting-down work there actually is. A child might think that short morning and afternoon carpet time sessions (e.g for registration/having a story read) constitutes a lot! I have dd1 in reception & dd2 in yr 1 and there's not much sitting down time atall as the school follows the Foundation Phase of learning (learning through play = lots of free play & movement).
It's when they get to year 3 that it really changes.

[fortyplus]

Nursery and Reception are the 'Foundation Stage' and it's all play based learning. In yr1 there begins to be more of a focus on 'academic' work. But don't worry!

[flaime]

In reception it's learning through play so although they spend set time doing phonics etc they also get lots of time to do what they want to.

In year 1 at our school they only get 30 mins 'golden time' on a Friday in which they do what they want, and the rest of the time it's structured lessons.

I've noticed that in our school they are greadually reducing their free time for the reception class already by calling them back in for a story earlier each day so they get used to it.

[mrz]

"I've noticed that in our school they are greadually reducing their free time for the reception class already by calling them back in for a story earlier each day so they get used to it."

All the guidance says that schools should NOT do this and that Y1 should follow reception methods at least for the first half term

[cyb]

Our yr 1 adopts a lot of the Foundation Stage principles.

But there shouldn't be hardly any 'sitting down' in a reception class apart from register, times when the class gather on the carpet at the beginning or end of a session, and perhaps some structured work with an adult each day

[Lotsofchooks]

Reception follow 'Early Years', whereas Yr 1 follow the national curriculum, so there is much more play based learning in reception.

[mrz]

There is nothing in the National Curriculum to say it can't be taught through "play". In fact lots of the new documents highlight the importance of play for children of all ages in primary.

[basildonbond]

at my dc's primary, the curriculum changed when dd went into y1 (she's y2 now) and became much more play-based - there wasn't any enforced sitting down in reception apart from v short carpet time

[redskyatnight]

Less "play" time

"non-academic" activities will be prescribed rather than free choice (DS's main moan - his Year 1 class do lots of fun and creative things, but they are on topic and not of his choice)

Much more sitting down (!)

Need to learn to sit and listen to the teacher and then apply what they have heard to an "exercise" (so can't tune out in sitting down time and expect to have any clue what is going on)

Teachers are less "fluffy" and more strict (though that may just be DS's school)

Less opportunities to "avoid" disliked activities (DS is not keen on writing and did the minimum he could get away with in Reception (very little), but now he HAS to do it every day ...)

[jaded]

It is difficult to tell just how much sitting down there is but I do know she has a sitting down activity in the morning (it was numeracy last week) and a phonics session in the afternoon lasting 20 minutes. The rest of the time is free play apart from regular PE days, assemblies (she says there is too much sitting there as well!) and story time (which she loves). I think all reception classes are a combination of formal learning and free play. I think it is all too much too young but this is one of the least 'pushy' schools in the area so I dread to think what the high flying schools are getting up to!! Of course learning through play is the best way to learn but the government haven't really cottoned on to this idea hence the curriculum and introduction of literacy and numeracy at 4 and 5.

[taffetacat]

Why doesn't she like sitting down? Could it be that she finds the stuff she's sitting down for boring?

YI is a lot more structured - science, history, maths, writing, reading, comprehension etc. Some of it seems quite interactive and I have been impressed at DS's school at how they try to capture the imagination of the kids. He actually tells me very little, but I gather there is a fair bit of "desk work" , but equally there seem to be action based activities, such as games and so on.

DS loves it because he finds it much more interesting than he did Reception.

[jenduff]

In my DCs school the majority of Y1 go into a mixed Y1 / Y2 class so the learing is very formal and academic.

The lucky Y1s who stay in the Reception class are supposed to follow the same curriculum but in practise have much more play based learning.

[Tikkabillajive]

Same here jenduff - am already really hoping dd will stay in the reception/Yr 1 class next year as I think the learning through play thing really suits her!

[jaded]

Yes, it may be she's not finding it very stimulating. I've thought this for a while now! Her teacher is very educated (Maths and Science co-ordinator) but lacks warmth and silliness! yes, I think you need to be silly and fun with this age group. Year one certainly sounds different and I wonder how my DD will adjust. She won't even be 5 and a half

[NoahAndTheWhale]

My DS is in year 1 and they have made changes this year so that there is more play. They have free play first thing in the morning until about 9:45 and have sand, home corner, tents and other things like cars and Lego etc to play with.

There is more sitting down but generally in quite short bursts although they are definitely learning. They also go outside quite a bit. It is a smaller room then reception although there is a mixed nursery/reception class which needs more space.

[Mspontipine]

Mmm my ds (now 7) went from reception to Year 1/2 class too. Really not fair as purely year one playing in sand water paints etc while they had structured lessons. But now of couse they're well ready for Yr2 whereas it was a huge leap for the others who really struggled to catch up.