DD (November birthday) starts school in Sept. We have been working hard to prepare her by encouraging independence with dressing etc which is ok, but I'm finding it more difficult to prepare her academically. She has attended pre-school for the last 2 years, where she received good reports about her behaviour and ability to mix, but no comments were made at all about her abilities.
We are passionate about books and have read to her from birth. She enjoys stories and poems. However, DD has no interest in learning to read for herself. She recognizes letters phonetically (not sure she would know the actual names of letters IYKWIM), and can recognize her forename, but apart from that, cannot read, say the alphabet, blend even simple words. Will this put her at a disadvantage?
Writing - she really struggles to even copy her name. In spite of strenous efforts on our part, she has no real interest in colouring, crafts, or attempting to write. So, she can spell out her name verbally, but not produce a recognizable attempt at writing it. How can I get her interested in things like colouring, dot to dot etc that might improve these skills?
Counting - she can count to about 30 and do very basic sums such as 1+3. She recognizes shapes, colours etc.
Is all of this going to be sufficient? What more should I be doing, or am I better leaving it to the school to take these next steps, particularly as she is not keen to do it at home with mum and dad?
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Preparing my 4 yo DD for school - have I done enough?
Campaspe · 14/08/2011 18:50
Firstly, the independent dressing thing is great and her teacher will be very grateful for that. Does that include being able to take her own coat on and off and do the velcro on her shoes? Both these things really important.
Can she go to the toilet independently? That's another biggie. If she will be having school dinners, can she use a knife and fork independently?
Re academics; the range on entry to Reception is vast. Those well ahead and reading fluently etc will not necessarily be the brightest at 11. They are simply the ones that have either a)been regularly coached or b) are simply more mature and able to absorb the info quicker.
It's great that she knows the letters phonetically. That is much better than knowing the names of the letters and will help her so much more when she is ready to blend and learn to read.
Number wise, she's doing great if she can already count to 30 and do basic addition. Many kids in her class will come in needing to secure numbers to 10.
Reading to her is fab! Just share books and point out interesting things. Look at some very basic non-fiction stuff too. You get some great non-fiction stuff for 4-6yr olds with nice pictures and small sections of informations about stuff like spiders and butterflies.
She sounds like she is very ready for school so try not to worry. She will be fine! 
I am sure some primary school teachers will be along to give you a pasting comment shortly but from the perspective of a mum, I would say, please chill out a bit. If she can recognise her name, speak audibly, follow instructions and socialise with children then she will be fine. Reception is crucial for children in the broader sense that they learn what school is about and how learning can be fun. Hopefully, with good teachers she will enjoy school and want to be there. The academic side will come when it is ready and the socialisation and acclimatisation are essential so she is comfortable to learn when she is ready. I am also a keen reader and read to DCs from the start. DD could barely read a word in reception but liked being there so I was lazy decided to wait and see. Now she is an avid reader, not just bloody ORT but real books and she takes real pleasure in it too - much more important in the long run. Oh and if anyone, other than her class teacher starts talking about "levels" stick your fingers in your ears and sing, loudly 
I really don't think you need to give her anything else but independence re dressing toilet etc and also a joy and love of learning.
That's all that was ever expected by our primary school and they took it from there.
I think you have done a fab job
My dd is starting school in September too
She sounds very similar to where your dd is
She can dress herself, do her shoes, use the toilet etc (though I'm not expecting clean knickers every day 
). She can recognise her name, so finding her stuff shouldn't be a problem.
She can recognise some letters, but not very many.
She can write her name and can copy letters and do simple pictures (of family etc) but she wouldn't know where to start with blending words ...and she doesn't know the alphabet.
She can count reliably up to ten, struggles with her 'teens' then can count on from twenty.
She can do basic sums using her fingers and knows shapes/colours.
I'm not concerned about her academically. I think she's broadly average tbh.
I'm more concerned about her lack of social interaction with her peers - she's great with older children, but spectacularly aloof with her peers, which admittedly worries me.
She is however, very excited for school, so hopefully she'll take to it well.
Good luck to your dd, I'm sure she'll be fine
Ah but, what have you done to prepare? 
Hankies at the ready but do not cry in front of your child. Do you have someone you can sob with after you have left her, probably quite happily exploring her new surroundings, while you crumble into a soggy heap?
I could have written your post this time last year & now my son (heading for year 1 
) is able to write thank you letters on his own ie not just copying and can read a huge range of early reader books. We're not quite at Harry Potter stage but something like Cat in the Hat is totally doable - oh & this has all been quite recent as I didn't notice much of a change in academic ability until the last term when it suddently all seemed to click into place.
Hope your LO enjoys it as IMO that is the most important thing in this first year.
LCN
My DS is starting this sept and he is very excitied having seen his D sis go through it all. Its amazing how much easier it feels second time round as, not only do we know what to expect, but so does DS!
I'm glad of this thread as I am reminded of just how tired DD really did get and to brace myself for howling monster number two
We went swimming today and our locker was 111. DD announced it was number onety onety one !
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