Should I do it myself?

[Jenie]

Since dd started school 2 weeks ago I've been very unimpressed with how much she's learning. All that she seems to do is paint, stick, play in water and for 20 mins traced her name (she can write it perfectly well so why trace?).

She has only recently turned 4 and so doesn't have to go to school until next year (once she's 5) do you think that I should teach her myself as the school seem incapable of doing so or do you think that I'm being a pushy parent wanting her to do too much and miss out on her childhood?

I've also been given a list of the things that they are due to learn this term and am very unimpressed as she seems to have done these things in pre-school. Is it me or is she being held back because other parents haven't put the same amount of time into their children?

As it is I sit her down and we do 1 - 2 hrs per night of numbers and letters and phonics (altogether not for each one) and this seems to be the only time that she is doing them.

What are your opinions on this? I'd appreciate another view point.

hee hee droile. Mr steiner would be spinning wildly. I'm a bit of a steiner wannabe myself (can't manage it because of logistics for ds2, and because its not suitable for ds1). Rather like the idea of my children learning to grow vegetables and make bread and soup.

I'll try doing something else with dd tonight, it's about time that I made more soup, oh and those choccy rice crispy cakes.......yum so that is what we'll do tonight, if she begs for her books then that's fine I'll do them but if she's ok with doing something else then that's great too.

Thank you for your support on this and Batters it's good to know that I'm not the only one who felt confused by reception class teaching.

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sorry the soup thingy was a bit tongue in cheek re Steiner education. Whilst Steiner doesn't suit every child (which education system does?) his philosophy does have some good points and his early years can be a lovely introduction to schooling. Whilst he didn't introduce writing until later- he did like handicrafs as a way of improving and devloping fine motor skills. Maybe your dd would like doing crafty type stuff?

Another thought that has occured to me is that itmight be worth flicking through some educational catalogues. We have a house full of them her and they have a lot of games that might challenge your daughter. I don't have the webstes but LDA and formative fun spring to mind.

Another suggestion- how about learning a muscial instrument? She's bit young for a lot of teachers, but Suzuki teachers would be pleased to have her, and their lessons are in groups, so she would also be meeting other children. Alternatively if you can play the recorder why not teach her that and how to read music?

Or if she's really into the schooly stuff why not look into Kumon maths? I know nothing about it but they seem to be everywhere now.

Well soup is served - carrot and corriander, we made it last night and ate half of it with big chunky slices of fresh bread. She enjoyed doing it but still asked for her books after.

I will open up her craft cupboard - have neglected that side of things for a while due to ds being a bit too helpful with making dd's pictures Will try harder though and buy him some paints of his own.

Thanks again and if you come up with anymore suggestions let me know it is appreciated and I don't mind if your opinion differs from mine it just gives me another angle to try.