DS1 is 4.5 and just started reception. He is very bright (well I think so) and all round lovely as well as being very energetic and physical.
I worried about him being at school as he sometimes finds it difficult to sit and concentrate.
He has been learning his letters and phonics and has school books to bring home, as well as letters and a sheet with all the actions on and writing practice (jolly phonics).
My theory is that I should encourage him to enjoy school and not make it too much of a chore. I loved school and was a bit of a girly swot. That's really what I want for him too but want it to come from him iyswim.
Therefore, I don't bother that much with the school work. We read books all the time and point out letters and words that he knows. We point out letters and words as we go around places and he tries to spell them out.
I don't make him do much writing practice as he has always found drawing etc very frustrating and never liked doing it.
However, I'm beginning to think I'm not doing enough with him. Parents in the playground are forever talking about how much they do, how far ahead they are, how quickly they are progressing.
Should I be reading his books with him every night?
When he comes home he's shattered and either wants to go the park or just watch TV/play with his trainset.
Make me calm down about it.
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How much should I be doing at home - PFB reception question
bambinobambino · 12/10/2010 20:47
in reception I did nothing at all with my non reading children. All the studies show that homework at that age doesn't help - especially when a child is only four! In other countries where educational outcomes are better children start later and have no homework. I think pushing kids to read at four risks putting them off altogether, unless your children really want to I read TO my children at that age and tried to have fun with them (when I wasn't too tired and grumpy 
. Now, one of my kids was desperate to learn to read, so I taught him myself, very easily, with a very willing pupil, before he started school. He took to it like a duck to water, but even then I did not make him read to me, but let him read by himself (he hated reading aloud, never did it). My other two learned in their own time. IME girls often love to write early as they are so focussed on communicating with other people in an intimate way, while boys often prefer to be solitary or to do stuff in a gang so writing, when young, is not interesting to them. They also can be slower to develop fine motor skills. In short, follow your instincts and ignore the ghastly, boastful parents like the plague!
ahhh, you've met the competetive mums! 
DDo what your child is comfortable with & certainly don't force him at this early stage of education.
"Having said that I strongly feel that I will do what the school ask in terms of daily reading etc."
Not a question of what you will do, Algebra, it's a question of what your dc will do
I found it virtually impossible to force dd to do homework when she was exhausted: she would stare at the ceiling/floor/walls anywhere but in the book.
I feel better, thank you.
With the whole book journal thing, am I just supposed to write when we do the school books or EVERY book? We get through a lot of them.
Also, they read with them one to one once a week, so am I supposed to write in it everyday in between times, or just things of note!
I don't want to look like a complete loon for filling up pages of the thing.
I agree that we must teach children to respect their teachers but I kind of hope I do that. DS has had a couple of treats recently for 'working hard', 'trying his best' etc and listening to the teachers. But I think school needs to stay at school for a while - I'm just keen for him to beahve, sit still, concentrate whilst he's there.
Also the teachers haven't actually given much guidance (and I even went to the meeting 
) other than putting the stuff in his book bag.
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