To not understand how it's possible for reading level competitiveness to have kicked in this early in term

[NoIDontWatchLoveIsland]

They've been back like 4 days and already there are parents asking about what books they are bringing home.

Ffs really? The teacher's barely even spoken to half the class yet, its meaningless.

If you are a parent who asks other parents about their child's reading level, why do you do it?

I sort of get it 6m in, maybe if your kid hasnt made much progress you might be curious as to whether that's typical or whether they might need a bit more help.... but right at the start of autumn term?!

@pointythings

littlepeas they did when mine were little, and they're 18 and 20 now. Mostly happened to me at parents evenings because I always worked full time and wasn't one of the school gate mums, thank goodness!

Think I must have been lucky!

There's some kind of unwritten rule at DTs school, you just don't do comparison in public. Everyone knows if Little Johnny is on the Squid table he's not advanced as little Jane on the Mermaid table but there is absolutely no need for competitive parenting. The 11+ is barely mentioned, again everyone knows who is doing it built no need to be bragging about it or fretting about in the playground.

I always respond very vaguely/cryptically to questions like this and it tends to wind the person asking up a treat! Nosy parent: “what level book is your DD on?” Me: “oh she’s on a fantastic level, really great, we’re really enjoying it”. Nosy parent: “but what number level is it/ what colour?” Me: “oh there’s loads of different colours in the book, a beautiful illustration on the front of some wild ponies amongst the trees, I might try to sketch my own version this weekend”. Nosy parent: “what? so is that level 5? Level 6?” Me: “Oh no DD’s in year 4, isn’t that the same as your DD?” Nosy parent: gives me exasperated look and walks away

My DD is always near the top so I have no anxiety or insecurity about it, just refuse to play the competitive idiots at their weird games!

I don’t see why asking about what books children are taking home is particularly competitive tbh. A love of reading is one of the best gifts you can give a kid and is really important preparation for education.

Oh come off it! Nobody asks what school reading book another person's child has got because of a love of reading or because they want to know whether it's a good read , whether they are a book-lover or not!

Movingsoon21

I wouldnt even mind being honest and telling people if they asked if it weren't for the reactions....
Parent of child on a lower level: reaction is always disgruntled,panicking,rushing home to do extra reading
Parent of child on higher level: instant glee, followed by long stream of showing off about their child.

No one seems to be able to respond with just "that's good, aren't they all doing well working so hard this year".

On the other hand there’s the parents who never read with their child at home (or at least never update the reading logs sent home.) These kids could be so much further along the levels than they are but they only read once a week to someone at school.

Our DS was way ahead at reading when he started but he's just average now, it doesn't make much difference really. Maths is more important, most people can read nowadays, lots of people aren't very good at maths.

This sounds tedious. Luckily I have never seen it happen at my dds school. Most parents just ask if other people's dc are ok and enjoying school.

Also agree with pp, the school books are so dull and draining to read its a chore rather than a pleasure. Yesterday dd brought one home about earthquakes which wasn't all that informative and was bland. Why is this? Whats wrong with schools buying books that kids actually like.

Honestly I would love it if my son went to a school where other parents gave a stuff about reading levels

@Goldenfan

This sounds tedious. Luckily I have never seen it happen at my dds school. Most parents just ask if other people's dc are ok and enjoying school.

Also agree with pp, the school books are so dull and draining to read its a chore rather than a pleasure. Yesterday dd brought one home about earthquakes which wasn't all that informative and was bland. Why is this? Whats wrong with schools buying books that kids actually like.

Maybe it would be helpful if parents were a bit more proactive and actively sought out book for themselves. Libraries exist. Free ebook phonocs channels exist.reading doesn't just exist in school. Lazy attitude

@Demelza82 what part of my comment made you think we don't read other books? We do, I'm a daily reader as are my dc. My eldest loves Daisy Meadows and has one open daily. She recently received an award for reading so many books and is a member of an online reading and creative writing forum. I actually work in a library but thanks.

My mum used to lie. My reading was always way shreds but it caused nothing but issues with adults so she was always vague about it and made it up
I basically skipped all the reading at school and just had free access to the library with an adult card

I would bloody love to know. Not sure why, I guess I'd like to get a sense of how the class is doing in general. However, I have the self-awareness not to ask/hint