Teachers/Parents - what can most children do when they start Reception?

[Bumpsadaisie]

My DD is 4 soon and starts school in September.

She's fine with getting dressed, putting shoes on, washing hands, going to the loo etc (may need to work on wiping her bum though!)

But I just wondered if any teachers or parents of older children could advise what children should ideally be able to do in terms of numbers/letters/phonics/reading/writing/drawing when they start school.

Is there any point trying to get her to practise her writing, for example? She can do her name (v wobbly, but recognisable!) I think she knows all her letters and a few of the other phonic sounds like sh, ch, th.

She can read simple sentences like "the cat sat on the bed". She has picked this up herself - she has a simple book that she likes to look at and started sounding out letters.

In terms of numbers she can probably count to 100 with a bit of help, but she doesn't know anything about sums yet.

Should I spend the next 6 months gently helping her learn more, or not bother, if she is already at the right level? I know that often if you leave things later they pick them up much faster anyway, and DD is quite resistant to any parental pushiness and prefers to do things herself in her own time and when she feels enthusiastic. Me wading in can often kill any enthusiasm!

Thanks in advance
Bumps

Sounds good where she is, main things are maybe recognising numbers from 1-10, writing and recognising name and pencil control. Lots of drawing/painting etc will help with that. No need to sit down and work, just do things in real life like - oh how many dogs are in the park? What's that letter on the bus? Etc

numbers/letters/phonics/reading/writing/drawing

That's what teachers are there to do, to teach them that stuff. Generally it doesn't hurt if you gently introduce and encourage all that at home, but don't worry about getting her up to speed in any way. Especially if she's resistant.

What teachers don't want to waste time doing is teaching your child how to wipe their bottom, put on own shoes or zip up a coat, how to share, wait their turn or follow instructions.

My DS is in reception this year. I deliberately avoided doing academic work with him before he started school and I'm glad I did. I probably would have taught him all wrong (especially phonics and writing) which would have made it more difficult in school.

Your DD sounds quite bright and she will pick things up quite easily when she starts school, there will be no benefit to pushing her at this stage imho. Let her enjoy her pre-school and if she shows a natural interest in something support her in that but otherwise leave it for the reception teachers.

Is your lo at nursery or pre school? I don't think you got anything to worry about.

The most important thing is social skills, personal hygiene and dressing. It also helps if your daughter can use a knife and fork.

She's at preschool two days a week, one full day, one half.

Sounds like I don't need to do anything. Good! [lazy parent]

Thanks everyone