Reception - DD has lost all confidence too!

[emy72]

My DD started reception really enthused and used to come home skipping away wanting to read, write, add and subtract! Then in Jan she changed teacher. We noticed a total lack of progress since then - dd stuck on level 2 books, forgot how to write many words and even forgot numbers.

My DH went in a couple of times to talk about her progress but got fobbed off and told she was not worried about her. He didn't feel he was getting through at all!

Then in the last 3 weeks she has been coming home and doesn't want to read, she appears to have regressed in a shocking way, she says that reading is too difficult for her and she has even started writing letters the other way round.

I don't feel I can go in to talk to the teacher but I really struggle to understand what is going on. What worries me is that we went from a DD who couldn't read and write in Sept, to a DD who could read quite well by Jan and do lots of writing, to a DD who has gone back to almost square one!

It's clearly nothing to do with her ability but something very wrong is going on at school. By the way, we have tried at home, but it's very difficult now as she just goes "I can't read" "please read it for me" and I don't want to push the boat.

One example which illustrates what is going on is: she came home with a cut out and loads of capital letters on it which didn't make any sense. I said "what were you trying to write here?" She goes "I was trying to write my friends' names but I couldn't do it" I said "ok shall we write it again together? " She goes reluctantly ok mummy. She sits down and writes all her friends names perfectly well. Then I ask her - why did you scribble them like that? Well it doesn't matter if you can't write as the teacher will put it up and tell you you've done well anyway. So I told her well mummy would like you to write something nice for me at school next time

She is very well socialised and has many friends so it is not a social problem, I think it is something else but I can't put my finger on it. I am sooo disappointed! Incidentally other parents have commented on the sudden regression of their children, which makes me think. What could it be? Any ideas?

I've been through a bit of this with my DD, though a little older as it started the end of year 1, with her it turned out to be down to 1 boy in class taking up all the Teachers time with violent outbursts, & deliberately disrupting lessons for attention, even as far as him having others taking the Mickey out of each other for being "nerdy" if the liked to learn as DD did........I've even had DD not care in a similar way over what her homework was like, as "well it doesn't matter, they are not interested in what I do, because they are too busy sorting the naughty boys out.

That said it is in part normal for them to seem to regress a bit, & then come back again, its a lot to soak up, but suddenly it all just becomes automatic......but not if its all the time & she's lost complete interest... then likely theres more too it......but do help her, refuse to read things for her unless she tries herself.......

DD went through a phase of this too, & I found things like online games, things like Moshi Monsters, where there is some reading involved, got her interest back, & now after 6 months she is wanting to read again

Ask DD what else goes on in class, without of course putting words into her mouth,... playing a doll or role play game with her can be good way to get her to talk....a also bear in mind that its possible the Teacher herself might be at her wits end trying to keep control of the class, but not allowed to speak up about it unless you ask her outright............it may be the Teacher, but it can also be what else is going on....are there any new Kids in class for example

IF after that you still feel its the teacher, then speak to her again at length, tell her of your concerns & ask her what stratergies she has planned to help,,,,,,,if you feel fobbed off, tell her so, & then speak with the head

Good luck

Thanks a lot for your insights. I know there are 2 very disruptive children in her class. DD told me the whole class skipped PE several times as they were naughty and the teacher gave them 3 warnings after which the whole class had to return to class and miss out on PE. DD was very upset about this! I know that DD hasn't covered new ground so to speak for ages and that the teacher is obviously struggling as she is not even managing to hear her read once a week, whilst previously she was being heard twice a week. Also, she is listening to 2 kids at a time, and my DD always tends to be with one of the very naughty kids. I wonder if this is having an impact too. I think the teacher had vaguely indicated that DD is at the top of the class so I think frankly that she is being left in favour of the more disruptive elements. This is only my gut feeling though - I am pleased we have 2 weeks now where I can spend a bit of time enjoying some books etc with her and see if she feels more relaxed and able to tell me more. thanks again!

From what your DD said, it sounds as if the teacher praises everyone (which is kind of good) but that DD has interpreted this as she will get praised for any old rubbish so she isn't trying her best anymore.

Perhaps now is the time to explain how children have different "bests" and that some find writing one letter very hard and that some very lucky children like her find it a little easier. Everyone needs to do their very best and the teacher knows who is trying hard.