Phonics at preschool

[sheberene]

Just wondered if other people's 4 year olds are learning reading/writing at preschool?

My 4yr old DD1 is in her 3rd term at nursery in a foundation stage unit in our local primary school. In the first couple of terms she learnt to write her name and a number of other letters, and read a few simple phonic words.

A new teacher started in September and my daughter told me that now only reception children do 'learning'. I asked the teacher about this at parent's evening and she told me that phonics are not statutory for nursery age children, so the nursery children are not being taught to read/write any letters, but they will be listening for the sounds making up words.

She encouraged me to help my daughter to learn letters at home, but was very clear that she would have to wait until next September to do the school's phonic's program.

It seems a bit strange to me that she will now have to wait a year to learn phonics that she is keen and able to do now - is this the case in all primary school nursery units? Thanks!

nanny! join the new thread, sounds like you have lots of ideas!

The pre-school my youngest is due to start teaches the older ones Jolly Phonics but the sounds only. The children don't have to do it but they say the kids think it's a great game. The younger ones are welcome to sit down and join if they want. When my other child was there they didn't do anything.

I'm happy with that and was happy when they didn't teach phonics at all. I was an early reader myself and don't worry what age my children learn to read, early or later. Seeing as it's not really an indicator of much. As long as they enjoy books at some stage My nearly 3 year old has grown up seeing his big brother learning to read and likes to join in. I use bath crayons for spelling practice, as it makes it more enjoyable for the Year Two child. I have to give the younger one a short list of simple words or letters to point out. So he feels a part of it and doesn't interfere. I tell him to do write an "o" or a "1" which he dutifuly does.

Hi Thanks for your responses, it's certainly given me more to think about.

My motivation in posting the question was that she has been complaining to me that she wants to learn with the older children she plays with and isn't allowed to do so. I wasn't sure if her preschool was unusual in not letting younger children join in with phonics if they're interested.

I feel if she's so keen now it would be a shame put her off - she's constantly asking how to spell words, wanting to play Ispy on every car journey, writing christmas cards to everyone she can think of, trying to read books to her younger sister by spelling out words.

I wouldn't dream of trying to teach her in a formal way, worksheets, reading schemes etc, but if they would do some sort of phonics play learning at school it might keep her happy and make her keener to go to school as she says she's finding it boring after going there for a year.

I can see your point with the play gang thing, it doesn't seem right to me to see the little 4 year olds in reception with their homework books and certificates for learning words, all seems way too young and pressured.

Thanks

You sound like a very caring mummy with alot of common sense Sheberene. I understand why you want to support your daughter, and I do think it is important to encourage and support their interests. It is a tricky situation with the nursery. My sons nursery had been asked by the feeder school not to teach reading or writing! Could you buy your daughter some magnetic letters to play with at home and explain that there are other things she needs to do at nursery such as learning to share and be a good friend, but you are happy to talk to her about letters and sounds at home.

I agree Sheberene sound very sensible and it's unfortunate that some postings possibly suggested that there was something 'pushy' going on - or maybe I read them the wrong way, please don't take offence anyone! I think we all agree that formal academic learning for littlies is totally wrong. In fact, IMO, even year one is too young!

On a slightly separate point, with regard to the earlier comment "schools just do the mechanical stuff we do the soul stuff!" I'd like to make the point that as an early years worker, believe me, I do plenty of the soul stuff! It is very much part of working with the 0-5's.

Good luck Sheberene, I hope you have seen some helpful suggestions

With my 5 (yr 1) yr old I have bought some magnetic words from wilkinson that stick on the fridge. My son loves learning all the different sounds. The ones I have are especially good eg. igh from night is highlighted in red so that it is easy to point out the sound, then repeat it in right, fright and so on!

Take a look at Flying Start with Literacy www.networkcontinuum.co.uk/FSWL.html

I think the problem is many schools don't explain to parents what children are actually learning when they are "Just Playing"

Just Playing"
When I'm building in the block room,
Please don't say I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
About balance and shapes.
When I'm getting all dressed up,
Setting the table, caring for the babies.
Don't get the idea I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
When you see me up to my elbows in paint,
Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay,
Please don't let me hear you say "he's just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm expressing myself and being creative.
I may be an artist or an inventor someday.
When you see me sitting in a chair
"Reading" to an imaginary audience,
Please don't laugh and think I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a teacher someday.
When you see me combing the bushes for bugs,
Or packing my pockets with choice things I find,
Don't pass it off as "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I may be a scientist someday.
When you see me engrossed in a puzzle,
Or some "plaything" at my school,
Please don't feel the time is wasted in "play"
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to solve problems and concentrate.
I may be in business someday.
When you see me cooking or tasting foods,
Please don't think that because I enjoy it, it is jut "play.
I'm learning to follow directions and see differences.'
I may be a chef someday.
When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body,
Please don't say I'm "just playing."
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning how my body works.
I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.
When you ask me what I've done at school today,
And I say, "I played."
Please don't misunderstand me.
For, you see, I'm learning as I play.
I'm learning to enjoy and be successful in work.
I'm preparing for tomorrow.
Today, I'm a child and my work is play.

• Anita Wadley

Mrz that's nice, I've not seen that one before!

On a slightly different but connected slant, your poem explains why in Montessori, traditionally the term 'play' is not used.
We always say 'work'.

And this does get misinterpreted, people imagining Montessori schools make children knuckle down to formal teacher directed learning - which is so untrue. To us, 'work' is what most people call 'play'. That's because, if a child is constructing him or herself through experiences, that is his or her own special work, and to call it play devalues it.

(what on earth could Nicola100 have said)???????