twins about to start school

[twinmummy24]

hey all, just thought i would ask the experts for some advice.

my twin girls, aged 4.5, are due to start school in september, they have been in preschool at their primary school since january so are really looking forward to going full time.
i was just wondering what the girls should be able to do before they start eg, number and letter recognition, should they be able to read, write their name etc, i seem to spend all my time just dealing with the two of them that making time for learning is tricky, especially giving one on one time!!
the girls can count to 20, recognise all colours and basic shapes, one can recognise numbers to 10 the other is not so sure! they can write their name if tracing over dots but i am just not sure if i have covered everything - deffinately suffering parent guilt here! thanks in advance for any advice,

twinmummy24

[QuickLookBusy]

I think what they can do now is fine. They will learning numbers and letters etc when they get to school .

The only thing you don't mention is books. I'm sure you do already, but I would suggest lots of stories and encourage questions about pictures, what is happening in the story, what might happen next etc etc.

[DontCallMeBaby]

The only 'academic' thing that featured on a list we were given before DD started school was being able to RECOGNISE her own name. Not write it or know the names of the letters or anything, just recognise it. Everythng else was social/personal really - go to the loo properly, get dressed and undressed, line up, sit quietly, take turns etc. She did go to school aged 4.6 with all the stuff on the list in place (except being able to wipe her own bum) and pretty much nothing else academically - counted well and recognised numbers, but thought letters were numbers; now at the end of Year 2 and doing brilliantly.

[sunnyday123]

they sound like they are doing fine - not much point doing too much as lots of the kids wont have done anything and the teachers go over it all from scratch anyway. My DDs reception class (sept-xmas maths) targets were counting to 20 and recognising numbers 1-10 so yours sound fine. If they know too much at the start they will be bored when the teacher covers it. I didnt do anything with my DD and she is now in the top group for her class and the teacher said she prefers it if parents havent done stuff - not sure why but made me feel better!

[RedVW]

I have twin boys who were 4.5 years when they started school. They couldn't read or write (even their own names). Now in year 6, they are going to grammar school in September. I helped out at their school and learnt it is important for children to behave well, dress themselves, go to the toilet by themselves, play nicely, sit quietly on the carpet, share toys, sit down whilst eating etc.

I used to read them lots of stories and as a result they have always loved books and reading. Don't worry about teaching them words and writing - leave that to the experts - the teachers - who will teach them the correct way to read and write. A very small number of reception children who could read words because their parents had taught them, had to be brought back to basics as Mums were teaching them a different way to the school way.

Enjoy your children before they start school as when they start school they will be tired when they get home for the first few months, and let the teachers do their job. A Mum's job is to prepare them emotionally for school and make sure they can do the things I have listed. Good luck.

[twinmummy24]

thanks all you have made me feel heaps better now i can enjoy the summer with the girls without stressing about prep work!!