Transition to Year 1

[Yesanothernamechange]

DD absolutely adored Reception. She used to be sad when it was time for the holidays, and got a glowing report at the end of the summer term, with almost all 3s. Her teacher said at the time that she was good at focusing and sitting down and getting on with tasks.

Since starting Year 1, she says that she has "a worried feeling in her tummy all the time", but she cant tell me what specifically she is scared of. She is also utterly, utterly exhausted and there has been a lot of arguing and backchat at home, but she won't go to sleep when we turn the lights out at 7.30 and we still hear her awake and chatting to herself at 9pm or so.

We had parents' evening last night and I have come away feeling a bit crushed for her. Everything was quite negative. Her teacher says that her number formation is "pretty terrible", and that she does understand things but that she is working veeeery slowly, at the same speed as the children who are not really "getting it". I tried to talk to her about perhaps doing things a bit more quickly in school and she got very upset and cried about the fact that "everyone is always rushing her". I do feel a bit as though family life involves lots of rushing - to get to school/work/swimming lessons etc, and she just doesn't yet have the emotional maturity to cope with this. I feel so sad for her, and I have no idea how I can persuade her to do things more quickly without it feeling like a criticism. She is already so anxious this year. If I mention, for example, that a word in her reading book is different from the word she's read out, she has in the last couple of weeks started to cry and asks why I don't like her reading. She just seems a bit ground down by the whole thing. I know that there's no choice and that she has to do it, but I am feeling that I am not hitting the mark as a parent here and have no idea how to make this easier for her. I would be very grateful for anyone's experiences.

Anyone?

We’re only three weeks into term - they surely can’t have jumped up into much harder work that quickly?

I think you should start with the class teacher. Say you’re concerned she’s so upset and not doing well, this doesn’t reflect the child she was last year. Are they setting her work that’s too hard?

This also seems very pushy for Y1 IMO.

My Dd2 is in year one this year she has jumped from nursery class to class one, missing reception and yes her class teacher also expects correct formation, letters on line, small letters, and ability to spell words that I think are far to much for them same with mathematics they now learning to count to 100, count in 2's to 50 double numbers and also what two numbers add to a certain number I think it's the same in all schools and I feel it's far to much for them but willing to see how she manages it all in afew months see if Dd is actually learning any of this, she's also very tired after school this year and sometimes I let her have a hour nap right after school and I find it helps her so much she's not half as cranky and dosent become over tired at bedtime either then, it's a big difference Year one from nursery or reception where it's learning through play where year one is all about structure and actual work although I'm sure they try as teachers to make it all as fun as possible for them, I wouldn't worry to much about how she's performing in her work as-long as she's following instruction and doing the work to the best of her ability I wouldn't try to push her to work faster I would take time every two days around half hour picking a topic, letter formation, spelling, numbers, reading at whatever level and pace she feels happy with and maybe two separate half hours on one of the weekend days this will help her so much getting the extra cover of different topics every two days and one to one learning at the child's Pacific pace is always the best approach for any child in my opinion, I'd also support how she's feeling and just listen to her and also inform her teacher about her being worried so you can both monitor it incase it isn't just the work making her anxious but more than likely itis

I would echo not pushing her. In fact roll right back on the homework until at least after half term - a bit of reading if she feels like it, and tell her teacher that's what you're doing.

DD2 has just started year 1. She's at an academy chain that is known for being quite pushy. The only homework she has is reading and some spellings. Teacher has explicitly said she doesn't worry about handwriting at this stage of the year, and that they all change their writing daily. No maths homework until Easter.

Loads of kids are still having trouble settling-- 5yos just don't have the executive functioning to cope. Are you having quiet weekends as well, maybe a nap? That really helped mine.

A lot of schools get very anxious about the phonics screening check, but that's for them to worry about. School is a marathon not a sprint! Her teacher has a responsibility to make sure her mental health is OK too. Does she like art or sports? Something to be more positive about? We also find lots of running around outdoor time really good. Gets any anxiety out.