Helping in the classroom

[GreatGooglyMoogly]

Now that both DC are at school I was thinking of helping in one/ both of their classrooms (Reception and Year 2) but I have heard from other mothers that those who help are given little/ no guidance on how to help, eg. when hearing a child read and they don't know a word/ get something wrong, or how to run a cooking class. Can anyone give me guidance please as I would love to help but would be too worried to go in and make it up as I go along?! TIA.

My experience was a really positive one.

My motivation was that I was concerned about DS and his querky behaviours.

The teachers explained what I was to do every time I was in (2 afternoons a week) and how I was to do it - they never left me without being sure I was confident and were extremely open to questions.

I loved it and got to know DS's classmates really well.

I had to sign agreeing to the volunteer helpers terms and conditions, one of them being you must never at any time be alone with a pupil (makes sense of course), another being that you must not discuss with anyone outside school other pupils, so I'm sure you will have to do the same.

Don't worry - remember, you are a volunteer and the teachers will be grateful for your help. The nice thing is that you do not have to commit so when one of my kids was ill I was not expected to be in.

The other thing I realised that it was a massive eye opener .

I've really enjoyed being a "helper" - my twins were in reception last year. The main thing our teacher was looking for was help with reading - you'll very quickly realise that some children don't get much reading practice at home and with a class of 30, they're not going to get much individual attention at school. You'll quickly guage how to pitch your help - some kids can't even recognise some letters at first whereas others are reading quite fluently by the end of the year. If you can read, no training required!!Enjoy it - your teacher will be very grateful (plus you get to have a nose on what goes on in the classroom!!)

i used to be a reading mum for 7 years and i loved it ,in also helped them whith there spellings ctc ,and went on school trips whith them you will love it i did

Thanks everyone :). I am excited about the idea of doing this but I don't know what I'm supposed to do when they don't know a word/ get one wrong. Do I just tell them what it is?

ask the teacher :)

I expect different teachers want things done in different ways. There isn't going to be one answer that's correct to such an open question