Feeling annoyed about school and need to rant!

[november90]

I'm sure most will read this and think I'm being unreasonable... maybe I am but I just need to vent!
My son is 4 and just started reception. Like most his age, suffered a lot due to the lockdowns etc and is having some difficulty adjusting to school. He is finding his uniform very difficult to wear as he doesn't feel comfy. It's mainly the pants. I put his issues with certain textures on his nursery transition form, i mentioned it on the pre school meeting, the home visit and also the phonics meeting 2 weeks ago. I just want assurance he's ok to wear his shorts which they have always told me he is. Anyway, dropped him off today and the teacher was really abrupt with me about wearing his pe shorts and not joggers... they way them to go into school wearing both at the same time. I felt so embarrassed and also annoyed.... why tell me one minute he's ok tk wear shorts but the next she wants the joggers and shorts?!
Also, the reading book annoys me. I made ds feel so proud about himself last week for doing a reading session everyday and he watched me fill the book out and when it got send home after being reviewed not so much a sticker or well done comment! Completely blank!
I've spoke to my family about this who say I'm expecting too much from school... but I just feel sad that we're like 6 weeks into school and o feel so distant from it all!
Anyone else have a new school child and feel the same? I know teachers are stressed and restricted due to Covid, but as a parent I'm finding it hard!

Here’s an idea. How about you just ask them what they have been reading and spend more time with the ones who struggle when you ask them to read

I have limited time in the school. I find the reading diaries useful as a volunteer.

Which is encouraging! I got the app and my child uses it. They wouldn't have had it without school. My child would have done less phonics practise than he does now.

No, that’s informing. Encouraging is giving an incentive, or reward, or, apparently for you, proving to to them that you have done it.

Why? It’s better active learning if they find the page themselves. So they can understand where they are in the book, they can either remember or work it out. That’s much more useful than someone telling them.

You definitely have never worked in a school! Lol

@Hercisback

It’s that the diaries don’t do that.

I've literally told you that my child's diary does. I'm a teacher and still need that reminder.... I won't be the only parent out there like this. My friends all say the same!

So if they binned it tomorrow you would stop?

@toocold54

Why? It’s better active learning if they find the page themselves. So they can understand where they are in the book, they can either remember or work it out. That’s much more useful than someone telling them.

You definitely have never worked in a school! Lol

I’m in Scotland. We have a different approach to education in Scotland.

This is quite common really, in terms of your reaction to these things. I see it a lot on the school Whatsapp groups, there's been lots of huffing about reading books etc even from the Year 1 group who have had some school already. I guess COVID interrupted reception though.

I guess it's difficult when you don't know what's normal so it's easy to get wound up. The reading book thing is normal, most of the time the teachers don't write anything in ours, sometimes they'll tick it. The only time I get writing is when I get told off for not reading, ha!

The shorts/joggers thing incident is fairly minor, I understand you felt a bit embarrassed but it'll be forgotten about now. I'd speak with the teacher about the sensory needs after school one day if you can and try to get clarification on it.

I'd do it less frequently! Probably not stop altogether. But that nudge effect is vital in education.

@Hercisback

I'd do it less frequently! Probably not stop altogether. But that nudge effect is vital in education.

Ok. I’d say you’re fairly rare then - someone who sees the value in reading to your kid but would only do it if you could fill something in afterwards.

I have limited time in the school. I find the reading diaries useful as a volunteer.

If you have limited time, surely it’s better spent reading with the kids than reading their diaries. I’m sure the teacher can point you towards the kids who need help.

My daughter’s class in P5-7 did reading with the younger years. She was well able to spot those who needed help. If a 10 year old can do it, it can’t be that difficult.

Yeah you’re right, I’m just less intelligent than a 10 year old. Probably best I quit helping out.

@Hercisback

It’s that the diaries don’t do that.

I've literally told you that my child's diary does. I'm a teacher and still need that reminder.... I won't be the only parent out there like this. My friends all say the same!

I'm the same too (and im a teacher! I'm just busy so it's a helpful reminder) this poster just won't have it to be that it helps some parents

But that nudge effect is vital in education.

If you need the nudge effect to help with your child’s education, that’s quite an admission. What stops you doing it without the diary?

Encouragement doesn't mean a reward. It means giving someone support or confidence. I was given support by the school as their letter encouraged parents to download the phonics app. Some of you have odd ideas.

Yeah you’re right, I’m just less intelligent than a 10 year old. Probably best I quit helping out.

If thats’s what you got from my comment, that’s quite a leap.

You’re just rude.

What stops you doing it without the diary?

Forgetting, whereas the diary coming out of the bag every day is a reminder.

@BoredZelda I'm inclined to agree. Similar with attendance awards.

I get they're given as encouragement for the child to read but if the parent isn't going to listen or record anything then it strikes me as really unfair.

If you have limited time, surely it’s better spent reading with the kids than reading their diaries. I’m sure the teacher can point you towards the kids who need help

The teacher has probably already identified the students ffs.

If you have limited time, surely it’s better spent reading with the kids than reading their diaries.

Reading diaries literally have a sentence in them, if that. Often it’s just the page number so it doesn’t take long to read to check what they read.

It means the teacher can be doing something else instead too.

I was given support by the school as their letter encouraged parents to download the phonics app.

The school informed you of an app. Just like they inform you there are nits. That’s not encouragement.

Some of you have odd ideas.

You need to fill in a piece of paper in order to read to your kid, but we have odd ideas?

. I’d say you’re fairly rare then - someone who sees the value in reading to your kid but would only do it if you could fill something in afterwards.

Missing the point. It reminds you. You are hell bent on arguing it's pointless and ignoring those of us who say we find it helpful. Different things work for different people/families. If the logs was the only way to increase parental engagement that would be an issue - it's one tool in the box. A box of many tools

You need to fill in a piece of paper in order to read to your kid, but we have odd ideas?
You can't understand how a physical diary acts as a reminder to hear them read every day. Not sure I'm the odd one here.

I get they're given as encouragement for the child to read but if the parent isn't going to listen or record anything then it strikes me as really unfair.

It sounds unfair but it’s the opposite - if a child isn’t reading at home then they need extra time to read in school to make sure they don’t fall too far behind their classmates.

*logs were

[quote AwFeebs]@BoredZelda I'm inclined to agree. Similar with attendance awards.

I get they're given as encouragement for the child to read but if the parent isn't going to listen or record anything then it strikes me as really unfair.[/quote]
I agree with you but attendance is a massive issue in British schools, we have one of the lowest school attendance rates in the developed world. Attendance certificates are not the way to solve that problem but it is a big problem and it’s one that needs addressed.