Better Reading program intervention for 5 year old - worried!

[Dodo76]

DS1 is 5 years and 9 months and in year 1. He is not the easiest child and took ages to settle into Reception but since this time last year seems to be getting to grips with school and performing moderately well in all areas apart from handwriting which is below average. I have always been told that his reading level is ok and that he doesn't need any extra help until this morning when his teacher took me aside and said that he would be taking part in the Better Reading program which will involve 3 sessions per week over the next 10 weeks. She said not to worry as he is not behind but it will help him with his handwriting and also to recognise on sight short high frequency words which he is still sounding out. I have thought for ages that DS is slightly behind as he is reading level 3 (Oxford Reading Tree) and I know that loads of other kids in his class are much higher, although some are also on the same level. I know of a couple of kids who have had help with reading but only one sessio a week with parent volunteers so I am wondering why DSI has been selected for this special course. I read to him all the time at home and we do his reading most days of the week. He used to be quite reluctant to read but is getting more and more willing. However, he is not at the stage where he will pick up a book and read it out of enjoyment, it's still a chore for him. The teacher did say not to worry but I am now panicking that he has fallen behind and feel a complete failure as a mother. Any advice would be gratefully received.

I should also add that DS1 is extremely easily distracted and also, dare I say it, lazy, which could be impacting his reading. He has more important on his mind (like dressing up and pretending to be a superhero) than learning to read.

Sounds like you're doing all the right stuff at home, and giving him the right messages about reading - so I would suggest you embrace the fact that he's getting some extra help at school too. I know it's really hard when we're told that our DC are different in some way, but if the sessions help him get the reading bug, it can only be a good thing. It'll give you one less thing to worry about, and him more time to spend being a superhero!

I recommended TeachYourMonsterToRead on your other thread - there's a second stage to this game which focuses on words rather than just sounds. I'm not sure about levels, so it might be too simple, but it might be worth a look.

The best advice a teacher gave me is to try and find books on a subject that your DS really likes - and try to find those books at the right reading levels. DS2 never really liked books about fictional stories but give him a book about cars/boats/trains/ anything that has an engine and he will WANT to read it. You can find early readers books about superheroes, motorbikes, dinosaurs, any subject in the world. Non-fiction books are not used enough (in my opinion) in early years, as they are usually targeting older readers but if you look online you can find early readers books on any subject. Good luck!

I have worked with children doing the Better Reading programme and it is fabulous. I have always felt sad that my DD missed out doing it as she was the best reader to be put forward for inclusion and then a helper backed out. Her friend who I helped has until very recently (15 years of age) been a better reader than my daughter since then.

Do not feel guilty, grasp the opportunity for your son to receive some help, and encourage him every way you can.

The huge advantage of this programme is to give okayish children one on one attention and support; which teachers just can't do to this extent.

mummytime, thank you so much, that has made me feel so much better! So, is it aimed at kids who have fallen behind or all kids? When the teacher told me this morning he would be doing it, she said that it was nothing to worry about and that DS1 was where he should be with his reading and that kids have to have reached a certain level to do the program (?) which confused me a bit as when I googled it it said that it's for kids who are slightly behind where they should be. Also wondering how I sell this to DS1 and get him enthusiastic about it rather than seeing it as more work.

It's aimed at children who need a boost, and not children with "real" literacy problems, although some of them may do it in addition to other help.

It is good because it is pretty formulaic, and it's easier to follow with someone who isn't your child. It gives the children lots of practise in a 1 to 1 situation, and they are assessed everytime they read.
Children I worked with tended to go up 2 or 3 levels at least every ten weeks (colour levels not ORT ones). They also are encourage to read a variety of books; fact, poetry, as well as stories.

The better reading partnership is fantastic - it's not for children who have problems, just those who would benefit from a boost. I have been trained in it and have delivered it (as a volunteer) to around a dozen children over the last couple of years. It's had a massive impact on most of the children - all were in year 1 or year 2 - one child improved from a reading age of below 5 to around 7.5 years! He was about 6.5 at the time. He started on yellow band as a child with no confidence in himself as a reader and ended the ten weeks on turquoise band and as someone who would choose to read in his free time. Typically the children have improved by 2 or 3 bookbands as a minimum.

Our school uses it and the Head (who is very choosy about which interventions to implement) is very positive about it.

This link might be useful:
readingsupport.edgehill.ac.uk/erc-for-schools/better-reading-support-partnership/