"Reading record" at 3!!!!!

[sunnydelight]

DD (3) has just started at the "nursery class" at DS2s school. I was very clear when I looked around that I would only send her there if it was NOT anything like formal schooling and was assured it's not. She loves it and I didn't mind getting her a book bag as recommended so that she could bring books home, but was a bit taken aback to find a "reading record" in it the first day. The idea is that you list all the books you and your child enjoy. I've just ignored it so far although the name of each book she brings home is duly recorded. I really want to write something along the lines of "DD and I enjoy lots of books every day, and it's really nice that she can borrow books at school as well as from the library and what we have at home, but at the age of 3 I don't think it's really necessary to complete a reading record". Am I just being silly and difficult?

I think it is nice and not really formal at all. It's probably intended to give you both a chance to talk about the books that you have read.

Don't see what's wrong with it myself. You say "The idea is that you list all the books you and your child enjoy"...it's not asking how well your child read the book or anything.

Can't you just jot down whatever book you've shared that day or are reading as a bedtime story. They may be looking for a current favourite to talk about.

It's also to raise the profile of reading to your child, that you both enjoy books and she can see there is a link between school and home.

It's just a record not an assessment, and it also lets the school know what sort of support and involvement there is at home.

OK, I'm just being a grumpy witch with raging PMT! I guess I'm just not in the mood to do the whole "prove I'm a good mummy to the teachers" thing, yet again, at the moment. I seem to spend half my life making sure I've signed DS1's school planner, helping him with his homework etc. and conducting a dialogue with DS2's teacher via his reading record because I'm really worried about him at the moment. I just wanted to send DD off for her nursery session and let her get on with it like I did last year when she was at a private nursery. I loved her key worker, we both agreed that the endless government initiatives just got in the way of the nursery staff looking after the kids, and my only concern was that she was happy and got lots of cuddles! No cuddles this year of course because they won't touch the kids

I have to say I had heart failure at the reading record. I'm a reception teacher when not on maternity leave. I do agree it's probably done to to raise the profile of reading for your DD. It is probably a school initative to encourage families who don't read together to read. Reading records aren't compulsory so you don;t have to fill it in, it is nice to know what books children enjoy so you could just write in once a week a book that she really enjoyed but I wouldn't worry to much.