"Jason knows all his words.... I don't :( "

[Flamesparrow]

Those who know all their "keywords" have their name on the board.

DD announced this morning in the saddest voice ever that she doesn't know all her words

I know that it doesn't matter how quickly she learns to pick "look" out of a line up, but how do I get her to believe it too?

[tiredemma]

Im getting this everyday- DS2 can only just recognise his own name.

He knows that he knows less than other members in his class and its making him not want to go to school.

You have my sympathies Flamesparrow- I wish I had some advice- but like you im just trying to enforce that there is no rush to learn. Difficult when everyone else can do it....

[GooseyLoosey]

I sometimes tell my children about what I could not do at their age. Ds who is in reception has the worst writing and fine motor skills known to man. I tell him that mummy did too at his age and not to worry as people pick things up a different rates. He picks up words really well but just can't write them at. Is your dd particularly good at something so you can say - look you can do this better than some of the others.

Its not easy is it!

[perpetualworrier]

Can you remind her of all the things she can do that "Jason" can't. Or of the importance of practise? My DS1 has always been reluctant to try something he finds difficult, so when he complains that someone can do something he can't I say, well I expect they've had more practise. Slowly, now he's getting older he is seeing the point.

Seems a bit harsh on the part of the teacher for infant kids, could you point out to her how demoralising it is for the ones who find it harder? Also, shouldn't their level of achivement be confidential? Children always know who the "clever" ones are, but they don't need to have it published.

[NAB3littlemonkeys]

I can't believe the teacher puts their names up. Talk about making them feel demoralised before they have even started.

[Enid]

That does sound harsh

Can you not jolly her along and encourage her to practise at home though rather than trying to convince her that it doesnt matter

'well lets practice hard and get your name up on that board next term' etc

[CharlieAndLolasMummy]

oh ffs what a daft idea.

kids learn at different rates. There is pretty much NO evidence that early readers are later more competant. And then, especially if they are in reception, there is the simple fact that some kids are nearly a year older than some other kids.

[Enid]

yes but kids respond much better to a bit of competition than we think they do

[Flamesparrow]

I have no issue with the names being on the board. I always thrived on having something to aim for/reward, it is more how to explain to her that as long as she tries her hardest the outcome isn't what matters.

Does that make sense?

I do as much reading with her as I can at home, but being a WAHM with a toddler too, by the time she gets in from school, lets off steam, we go to collect DH, have dinner, a bath (not every night), teeth, story, bed - the time slips away and we can only manage every other night/morning.

Am I just letting her down by not fitting it in somewhere?

[Enid]

well I manage...it is hard thoguh

can you not set aside 10 minutes every night after dh is back

[perpetualworrier]

Now I am going to give you a good shake Of course you're not letting her down if you're doing your best. Good grief there are parents who can't even send a reasonable lunch to school, bet you're not one of those.

My DS1 was quick to learn his key words, it came easily to him. DS2 in his first term in reception doesnt even know his letters and I've put quite a lot of time into it. We just have to keep reminding ourselves that
at they're all different.

As for fitting it in. I do it every night at bedtime. They read to me (be it a story or a few key words) and then I read to them, Could this work for you? I find that unless it's part of a routine that happens every day without fail, it never happens

[dividedself]

I hope there is a board with a list of names of all the children who can put their coats on properly, paint beautifully, run quickly in races, catch a ball reliably, etc.

fgs! maybe you should suggest this?

[Enid]

go on take on the challenge

get her on the board by the second week of next term

[OrmIrian]

How horrible! There are so many things they have to learn in reception, not just learning words.

But at least she wants to learn them. That's a good start. My DS#2 couldn't give a stuff and we're still struggling with his letters atm. You could make it into a game for her - try to make sure she knows a new word every morning. Concentrate on just one at a time.

[critterjitter]

The names on the board idea is a (secondary) behaviour management strategy i.e. "If you don't stop interrupting this lesson, your name will go on the board for the detention after school tomorrow."

It is wholly inappropriate as a tool for primary kids trying to learn to read and write. I would take this up with the teacher.

[Reallytired]

That is totally inhumane. Some children are ahead in reception purely because of their age rather than intelligence or how hard they work

They should not be teaching keys words
It goes completely against research on reading and the Rose Report. They should be learning phonics and how to blend as well as spending a huge percentage of the time JUST HAVING FUN.

I suggest you buy the Jolly phonics teacher's handbook from Amazon and teach her how to read yourself. Once she can blend, she will be able to read most of the key words as well as loads of others.

[Reallytired]

Please don't blame yourself as parent. Its sad how your daughter is getting treated. She should be enjoying school at this age.

[dramaqueen]

My dd's teacher has a board with 'I can dress myself' on. There are only girls on it at the moment . My ds didn't make it onto the board until the summer term when he was in reception, but he didn't care. However he could have if he had wanted too. Learning your words isn't as simple as that.

[Reallytired]

My son found it very easy to read, but he still finds dressing hard at almost 6 years old.

I don't think learing to dress yourself is simple for a child whose physical development has been significantly slower than average. (My little boy even had physio for 18 months)

Lets face it, board with "I can read my key words" or "I can dress myself" are pointless and demenaning.

[EmsMum]

oh I remember the angst of reception. When her friend started off able to read Dick Whittington and by the end was onto Harry Potter ... and DD was still struggling with some of the keywords and not really reading... and guess what? By year 4 they are in the same reading group and swapping books.

There is a HUGE variation not just in reception but right through KS1. Follow the good advice but only so long as it doesnt stress your DD or yourself.