HELP ALL PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS AND ANYONE ELSE, I AM IN SCHOOL TOMORROW TO HELP RECEPTION KIDS WITH READING, ANY DO'S OR DONT'S

[TenaLady]

or generally any format to follow?

Are you a parent?

Just started to do this with Year 1's not sure about Reception though.

i did it for a couple of years and loved it

PP, yes I am a parent, why else would I be panicking

sign in when you arrive and wear ID badge if given.
turn off mobile
listen to instructions from teacher and ask questions if unsure
remember to use appropriate language! (you would be surprised)
sign out when you leave the building

You'll love it, just smile a lot, and try not to make much fuss over your child. Some can get very clingy and emotional (or difficult)when they see their mum.

The teacher will brief you as to the routine she wants you to follow; what records need making; routine for changing books, etc.

Basic advice - be smiley, happy, and relaxed. Be really positive and encourage the children, give them loads of praise, whatever stage they are at.

The children will be at vastly different stages in their reading ability. Try not to supress any temptation to compare them with each other.

And mainly just enjoy it! Almost all children like a bit of one-to-one attention, and listening to children read is such fun and a real privilege.

appropriate language. I dont normally swear or anything but is that what you mean?

I am really looking forward to it, just didnt want to make any silly mistakes. Im good a smiling and encouragement so Im on my way.

If you are there for a few hours take a snack for break time you will be starving .

Wakeup, I expect I will take in an ooooooooorganic cookie then, no, no better make it a peice of fruit

I would think for Reception, its just to get them used to handling the book, following text etc.
DS is in Reception and thats what we do with his reading books anyway.

Goodluck and I am sure you will have a great time, that age group are so lovely

I doubt that the recption kids will be 'reading ' much at the moment. Although you never know !!

discuss the book with them and the pictures . Let them say what they think the story will be and what the pictures tell them.

get them to point to the words whilst you read them if necessary. If they ahve been doing phonics ask then to pint out certain sounds that they see i.e SAT PIN E CH CK.

Lots of encouragement and praise.

I did parent helper last year with reception , although didn't do reading but have DS1 in Yr1 and DS2 in reception .

If you have a child in reception tell the child that you are reading with that you are for example, 'Emilys Mummy' otherwsie they may be a bit bewildered as to who youn are and dont spend too much time with youn own child.

Don't forget to write a comment in their reading record book . Good Luck .

Our school will not have parent helper with Reception until after half term to allow them to settle in.

You'll enjoy it and will see children of a smilair age at lots of diffrent levels.

Fruit be damned woman only chocolate will do . LOL

OH wear appropriate clothing , Dont let your G string show above your jeans , and no t shirts with profanity on .

Let them lead a bit - read the title together and see whether they want to talk about the pictures, look for letters or combinations to sound out, ask about the story.

Take some headache tablets with you aswell and a flask of whiskey

And smoke outside school property the council dont like it if you are on school grounds .

On a serious note turn of mobile phone .

mini skirts and thigh length boots are not appropriate clothing either .

Oh yeah and dont be too cuddly or physically over familar with children i.e hugs etc may be looked down upon unfortuantely.

if a child needs to go to the toilet and need your help , go ask a member of staff as they are CRB checked and probably you are not .

youll love it, ive been helping out at my dc's primary schools for 8 years, i currently help in year one, but mainly do arty things with them or maths games, i wouldnt have thought that new reception children will be doing much reading at the moment, they are probably just being introduced to the reading scheme and keywords.

i was talking to ds's teacher the other day when i helped and she was saying how sad it was that you couldnt show any affection to them, sadly the most you can do now is a gentle comforting pat according to her.

thanks all, best press my black slacks and sensible shirt.

Hope you'll enjoy it - I started hearing readers at DS's school 13 years ago - one thing led to another and I'm now working there as an IT support manager - not really sure how that happened!

Just don't be like the mum who came to help with one of the Year 3 classes today - they were makng harvest creatures out of vegetables - she spent the whole afternoon sitting by her DS making a wonderful creation for him and never even looked at any of the other children! The class teacher said that next time she offers to help she'll be trimming worksheets all afternoon!