Yr1 DD not meeting National Minimum Targets

[girlsmum]

Had Parents Eve last night. DD's teacher has said that she is below the national minimum targets.

I was floored.

Had absolutley no idea, I read with DD most days, she knows all her letters and can blend them to make words.

I asked what targets it was that she's not meeting and was told numeracy and literacy. DD can't number mid-teen numbers. (i'm not so worried about this as my older daughter couldn't do this in year 1 either.)

Since starting in Yr1 no body has written in DD's reading diary - only myself. I ask DD regulary "has anybody read with you in school today" - to which she mainly replies no. Sometimes she reads within a group.

Can you put this in perspective for me, it's making me feel down. I really believe my beautiul DD was sharp, on the ball and didn't miss a thing. I feel I've failed her somehow.

[FreudianSlimmery]

If my DD wasn't getting read with at school when she was struggling I would be complaining.

They must have made suggestions for the cause of this 'failure' or possible remedies at the parents eve? What else did they say?

[Callisto]

What was your DD's end of year report like? Does it show a big drop in level between then and now?

I would also question why your DD isn't being read with at school. Mine is read with at least twice a week and she comes home with 3 books per week that we read with her too. Sounds like the school is letting her down a bit.

[girlsmum]

Well my face dropped and then she rushed to say 'oh all children are different, it's called the lightbulb moment and she's just not reached it yet'.

She suggested that I read with her at home, I do most days (definately 5 times a week). And to play number games like snakes and ladders.

I don't want to be a mum who says 'oh no my child isn't like that' but I thought my daughter was bright.

The teacher said she's not too worried, shes not looking to put her on an Induviudal Learning Plan.

Am thinking perhaps I need to go back in and re-meet the teacher and discuss further. What do you think?

[girlsmum]

DD never and I mean never changes her book in school. I volunteer to read with her class every weds afternoon, and when I'm there I load DD's bookbag with books for the week.

I think the fact that I read with DD's class is why I was so floored, as in comparison with the other children's reading my DD's reading is quite good. Don't get me wrong she's not the best, but I certianly didn't think there was a problem with it.

[Callisto]

I think you should be questioning the teachers attitude to reading then. My DD reads at least 3 different ORT books per week that are logged in her reading diary. I would be very pissed off if I had to change her book for her.

As for the 'lightbulb' moment, it does happen differently for each child, but for you to be so shocked that your DD isn't meeting national standards means that she was meeting them at the end of reception? So she must have fallen behind quite significantly during the first half term of year 1 iyswim?

[girlsmum]

Thanks Callisto, I think I need to go back and see her teacher because it would imply that she has fallen behind since leaving YrR.

[girlsmum]

And your right, need to bring up reading and changing of books.

I had planned to mention it but completely lost my train of thought once the teacher started on with not meeting minimum targets.

[ElbowFan]

What on earth are the 'National Minimum Targets' for a 5 year old?

Your DD is not yet one term out of Reception and so long as she is happy to go to school I would not worry unduly.

I wonder - how did she do in terms of Profile scores - not that they are that relevant, but it may give a clue as to quite what the teacher is talking about.
The transition between Reception and Year 1 involves a change from the EYFS Profile to National Curriculum assessment. There is, I believe, no hard and fast rule as to when that happens. For some children it is more appropriate to continue with the Profile in the first term or two until they adjust to 'being taught' as opposed to the 'learning through play' they are used to. It may be this transition which the teacher means, which is actually of mor importance to her rather than to you. Your concern is only that your DD gains something from going to school.

BTW there is more to early learning than numbers and letters,sums and books, teachers are very aware that confidence, and attitudes to work, emotional stability, ability to take turns, share etc are essential to the ability to learn.

[girlsmum]

Thanks ElbowFan. I find your post quite positive.

[ElbowFan]

Glad it helped.