Advice for 5 1/2 yr old starting year one BUT has missed reception year.

[Mummytotwopickles]

I wondered if anyone could give me some advice regarding my 5 1/2 year old son who will be going straight into year 1 in September.
We have been living in Greece and he has just finished 2 years of Greek Pre school and would have started Greek reception this September.

We've been focusing a lot on reading and writing at home and he's doing really well - we're currently doing Stage 2 of Oxford Reading Tree.

What other school work is covered in reception and how else can I help him?

I realise that children pick up things at such a rate and that he will soon catch up with the other children, but still, as a mum I worry and I would like to prepare him as best I can!

Thanks

Here in the UK all 0-5 year olds follow the Early Years Foundation stage which you can google. Its is a child led curriculum and centre around learning through play. With this in mind your DS is probably not had a different education as such.

They do tend to do some more 'formal' maths and literacy teaching in year R.

Simple things such as number bonds to 10, adding/taking away, shape, colour etc for maths.

And they introduce phonics. So letter sounds as opposed to name iyswim? You can google jolly phonics, read write inc etc and this will give you an idea. They sometimes introduce phonemes so ee, oo, ow etc.

Sounds like he's reading as would be expected for average here. IIRC ORT does stage 0-2/3 in year R - but remember these are just guides and all children learn at different rates.

Most importantly IMO is that your DS settles in well to the change of country and school. If he's got gaps in his learning then the school will work with him and you to fill these.

If its any help my DS was only 5 and 2 weeks when he started yr 1 and couldn't read or write really at all. Now he's at expected level for his age.

Best of luck with the move.

Thanks for that! I will certainly google EYF to give me an idea.

DS started with the Jolly Phonics work books, DVD and the Jolly stories - he loves them! So he's familiar with phonics and the letter alphabet.

Very encouraging to hear about your son, too!

I don't feel so anxious now - thank you!

Sounds like he'll be fine. It may be worthwhile finding out what phonics programme/ reading scheme his new school will use and intriduce him to those.

He sounds like he wants to learn (unlike my DS at that age!)

Also, he would be able to put his own coat on/take it off and hang on peg, change himself for PE and back again (including dealing with inside out sleeves, putting shoes the right way), opening his packed lunch stuff if he has packed lunches, otherwise walking with his tray with food and drink to his table. Being able to identify his clothes/bags etc (being able to read his name tag). Good luck.

Oh yeah forgot about the fundamentals. TBH most teachers would rather thay can do this than read. If children can't do the above then they have less time to actually teach them.

Oh, that's NO problem! Yes, he can definitely dress, undress and eat his lunch without any help :)
Thanks!

My DS is just finishing reception and is on stage 2 of ORT so I think he will be fine

DS2 started reception after the Easter holidays knowing nothing of reading or writing.
He's now 10 and we're expecting him to get into the local grammar school for Y7. Your DS will be fine.

Thank you, ladies! xxx