To think that reception children should be given reading books in september

[ReallyTired]

Most reception children cannot read and do not know any strageries for decoding new words. My daughter has been given a reading book which is a lovely book, but way beyond her ablity at the moment. I feel strongly that I do not want her to randomly guessing at words.

Sharing books is important at the age of four. Surely its better to share a high quality story book than an Oxford Reading Tree book. I would prefer to help my daughter learn her letter sounds and how to blend before being set loose on the school reading scheme. I feel that children should learn phonics initally before attempting to learn any other strageries for reading. I like synthetic phonics because it starts off very simply and complicated words are introduced later when the child has developed confidence.

My son did Jolly phonics in reception and he loved it. Good phonics teaching is not boring. He got his first reading book after christmas and enjoyed the buzz of sucess. I feel angry that my daughter's teacher is not using the same method.

[ReallyTired]

Sorry my title is that reception children should NOT be given reading books in September at the start of the academic year.

Or at least a child should only be given a book if they can actually read!

[ClementineKelandra]

It's perfectly ok to just ignore the words for now and get your dd to jyst describe what is happening in the pictures.

[Awomansworth]

YABU - learning to read isn't just bout decoding the words, it's very important to talk about what's going on in the pictures to build a picture of the plot.

[barebranches]

Im a rec teacher and think you are right... but most parents want a scheme book straight away... dont know why.

[barebranches]

should add a nice story book from school library to share is so much better.

[noblegiraffe]

We've been given a story book.

[SweetBabyJebus]

It's not about making your child read, it's about fostering a desire to read. They give out books precisely so you can read them together. Then as the child learns, she starts to read herself. Thought that was pretty much standard reception practice.

[Debs75]

We haven't been given a school reading book yet and DD will be five in 2 weeks. SHe can't read but can recognise some words and wants to do more. She is itching to start reading and writing and loves looking through books with us. She also wants to do some 'homework' with us be it practising letters to looking through a storybook. She did think the first day was boring as they didn't do any 'work' and just played.
Incidentally the nursery children get a book bag with a picture book to share with their parents so why don't reception children?

[GhoulWithADragonTattoo]

Yanbu. My DD's school gives normal picture for parents to read together. It was brilliant; a new picture book every night! I think the early reading scheme books came home after Oct half term by which time they had some phonic knowledge. I this is a much better system.

[NiceTabard]

DD1 got ORT books in recep from quite small but the first ones didn't have any words in them, they were just pictures and the instructions were to get the children to talk about what the pictures are.

Have they skipped out the first level/s for some reason? I remember we had ORT biff and chip or whoever it was with no words for a definite while.

[wigglesrock]

Mine always got picture books or books with very few words. They did picture walks with them, we had to look at the pictures and guess what would happen next/ at the end. I don't think dd2 (just gone into P2 age 5) got a reading book as such until well into P1, I think after Christmas.

[arethereanyleftatall]

Yabu. My dd who has just started reception can read. As can at least 5 of her class. They did phonics last year in preschool. I expect the teacher ijust sorting out who can do what at this stage. Do you think my SF should be held back till others catch up? .

[TheHappyCamper]

DD has just started in reception this week and has brought home a lilac level book (I think biff and chip) with no words. We just have to get her to tell us the story and then we have ago. Quite good I think - I know she cannot read at all yet (4.4 yrs)

I think the next level just has a few words in. I think your teacher might have missed out this level maybe?

[Sirzy]

I think to start with picture books are much better to get children talking about books and what is happening rather than just focusing on the words. Picture books are great for encoraging story telling

[Bloob]

Don't know. I think it's ridiculous if she can't read to give her a book with words and expect her to read it.

On the other hand, my dd can read. Pretty well I'd say given she's only been 4 for a month! But they don't give reading books til Xmas. So how do I continue to challenge and encourage her? I was hoping the school would be able to guide me a bit, as well as working with dd.

I think it's a difficult balancing act for the teacher.

[ReallyTired]

I think that high quality children's books have better pictures than the Oxford Reading Tree and certainly better language. Surely a book by one of the best authors in the world is far more likely to foster a love of reading than Biff and kip.

Bloob A good teacher will differentiate. If a child can read then its silly to hold them back. However the majority of reception children cannot read and don't have the ablity to teach themselves.

I believe that making sure that a child experiences sucess in the early stages of learning to read is vital.

[lizzzyyliveson]

Maybe your child goes to the school I did some supply in last year. The Yr R children had to 'read' their ORT book independently for 20 mins each morning - the same book every day until they could 'read' the whole book without a mistake. During this time the class teacher and TA would 'hear' each child read eg coach them to memorise the book. Strangely enough, the school has identified reading as a weakness. Hmm.

[NiceTabard]

Maybe you need to ask why they have skipped the early ORT stage/s which are just picture books?

Certainly they do exist and it's the starting point on that program so it seems very odd.

[SpiceAddict]

Are you sure that she is meant to read it? When Ds was at pre-school nursery we were given a book every week to share together. Is it such a big deal if you read it to her until she learns to read it for herself?
I don't get your problem

[NiceTabard]

YY both DDs got reading books from pre-school, for us to read to them.

Our school does ORT and DD1 is reading just fine (DD2 just started school this week) and maybe you need to give it a chance, sounds like you are used to a different reading program.

[KitCat26]

I agree op. DD1 had her first day today, she was 4 in August.

Today she brought home a leaflet for parents explaining phonics and games to make learning letters and their sounds fun. To me that is perfect 'homework' and builds on what she has learned, and the way they were taught, at preschool.

I remember having to read those bloody Billy Blue Hat and Roger Red Hat books in primary school, they were very nearly enough to put me off reading for life!

[Sparklymommy]

Our school also do the books with no words to begin with. Believe me they progress quite quickly and ds2 who is just starting year 1 was reading properly by Christmas last year!

[ClayDavis]

YANBU. Many schemes do have wordless books, but it's just a reason to fleece more money out of schools than a necessary stage of reading. All the skills developed using wordless books and many more can be developed better using good quality children's books shared with a parent. Books for children to read can be sent home once the children have learnt a few sounds and can blend them. This will be at different points for every child in the class.

Just out of interest, what scheme are they using? Is it an old style look and say or one of the newer decodeable schemes?