Preparing to read/write activity books?

[franch]

DD2 (3.5y) has got through all the Jolly Phonics workbooks and is demanding more. What else is there? I'm drawing a bit of a blank on Amazon

bump

Have you browsed in WH Smith?

Toys R Us has a good range of Phonics-based workbooks and stories - can't recall brand.

Also, have you looked on the Usborne website?

No, we don't have one near us. Think my mum does tho - I'll ask her to look if she does. Thanks lljkk

Will have a look now MrsM

check out the book people too, they have different sets for sale at much cheaper prices than the high street

The book people have what looks like a good OUP set for age 5-8, which I'm planning to get for DD1. They did have a set for younger children but it's sold out.

No luck with toysrus or usborne MrsM. No useful shops round here so would have to be online really.

PLEASE just leave the writing/reading for now concerntrate on having fun and life expreiences. They will learn the formal stuff in school.

I agree with cloudhopper

just buy her plain paper and let her make her own marks with felt tips, paint, chalk or whatever but don't do this silly work books!

Sorry cloud & purple, DD2 has an older sister who's in Reception and she is desperate for all this stuff - I never used any of it with DD1 but she gets genuinely upset when DD1 has homework to do and she hasn't.

If the demand is coming from her I am not going to refuse. I would never push this stuff on her but I was exactly the same at that age and remember the joy and excitement I got out of learning. Didn't do me any harm

Please don't worry, she's not doing workbooks from morning till night - her life is chock full of 'fun and life experiences'

Schofield and Sims do excellent books, very reasonably priced. They often sell them at libraries or you can order online direct.

Franch, my DS is interested in reading and writing too and has been since he was 2 (he's just turned 4). He LOVES doing work books etc. and to him it is 'fun'

It bugs me when people say they'll do it at school so don't bother. If that's what your child is interested in you can't stop them doing it and why the hell should you stop them???

People seem to think that because they like reading/writing they don't like going out on their bikes, going to the park, playing football in the garden!

Well done to your DD I say!

I used to love doing "copy writing" before starting school and also "scribble writing" like my Mum's. Let children play with what they want before school - be that books and pens or bats and balls.
I was in Wilkinsons the other day and saw some little workbooks that were pretty cheap.

Thanks MM and Blarbie

Exactly, mylife & Blarbie

I'm a reception teacher and would like to echo no workbooks please. Playing games and reading together is much more valuable in the long term.

I'm sensing a theme on here today, one thread says what pre writing activities can I do with my 3 year old, another says how can I teach my 4 year old to read. Have you all gone mad!! They are children! They won't get these days back!!

I repeat what I say above. If DD2 is asking for these things and has a whale of a time doing them, I'm not going to say "No! It will damage your childhood!" Get a bit of perspective - she is currently frolicking around in the garden dressed as a spaceman and hasn't looked at a workbook in a week or two. But next time she nags me for one, I'll give it to her. She's a happy little girl

I'm not saying don't prepare your daughter for reading and writing just that workbooks aren't the best way. I wouldn't use them in my classroom never mind at home.

There's a big variety of workbooks out there tho mrz. The ones I've been using have very simple letter-tracing and letter-recognition type activities, exactly like DD1 got early on in reception and just like my mum did with me before I started school. I loved them and they never got in the way of my learning

I'm well aware there are lots of workbooks out there and many parents like to buy them but as I said they aren't the best way to help your daughter. If you would like to purchase a book to help her I suggest try Start with Literacy" www.amazon.co.uk/Flying-Start-Literacy-Activities-Children/dp/1855391945

Flying Start With Literacy