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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Am very concerned - helpful advice appreciated

43 replies

jaded · 07/10/2010 14:39

Question about reading levels here. My DD is way behind on level 1 plus ORT kipper books and has just started year one. I have told her teacher that I am concerned and would like to know how to help at home. Her teacher says that I shouldn't worry and that she is at the level expected. She also says that she will be taught how to read at school and not to help her at home as she already has a full day at school. I am not convinced by this and we (my husband as well) are helping her with flashcards, reading ORT books from the library, listening to jolly phonics cd and we also continue reading story books to her. What else should I do to help? Do you think the teacher has the right attitude? Does anyone have experience of their child moving very quickly through the levels in a year?

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Runoutofideas · 07/10/2010 14:44

I think the teacher's advice not to help her at home is a bit odd - unless she meant don't push her too hard if she's too tired, which is perfectly acceptable. I would continue with what you are doing, although maybe go over the phonic sounds with her rather than flashcards of whole words. Does she get any extra help with reading at school? Children at that level in my dd's school have extra sessions with the TA.

Once it clicks though I'm sure she will take off with reading - I would just keep doing what you are doing as long as your dd is enjoying it. If she isn't then back off completely - a friend of mine's yr1 dd was refusing to read her school books so she completely ignored the bookbag for 2 weeks, after which her dd was asking to get her book out and read....

belledechocolatefluffybunny · 07/10/2010 14:48

You should be listening to her read at home, I'd also continue with what you are doing but I'd find a way to make sure that you are both teaching her in the same way as it could be confusing to be taught phonics by the school and a different way by you IYSWIM.

Original poster

jaded · 07/10/2010 14:51

Yes, I agree belledechocolatefluffybunny but her teacher is not being very helpful. I wanted to have a proper meeting with her but was only given a couple of minutes chat after school even though I'd requested a meeting. I am not just saying this but I really feel my DD is capable of more but there seems to be a bit of a mental block.

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Seeline · 07/10/2010 16:28

Don't push it - the most important thing is to encourage a love of stories and books, and eventually she will want to read for herself. Definitely carry on reading to her and also 'sharing' books eg you read it but get her to follow it, perhaps pointing out the main characters name each time it appears, or a word beginning with the same letter as her name. Try to encourage her to read other things such as road signs and food labels etc sometimes it is the whole book-thing putting children off and tehy don't realise other things are reading too! Playing games like I spy will help her with her letter sounds.

daylightdreaming · 07/10/2010 16:55

How old is your daughter? My summer born DS also started Y1 at this level (also ORT) and made good progress during the year to the expected level for his age. Nothing exceptional but all fine. He's now in Y2 and at exactly the point he should be at. The thing we found most helpful was just to be very consistent about reading his book with him and then he has lots of lovely bedtime stories to encourage a love of books and stories in general. He also found the first term of Y1 quite a struggle - it's a big transition from the more play based reception class. He became more keen to read as the year went on and he became more confident with his phonics etc. So I guess what I'm saying is don't worry too much as it does improve. Mind you I'm a great worrier and it can seem very hard when there are other children who are reading very fluently early on.

Original poster

jaded · 07/10/2010 17:10

Thank you, daylight dreaming. That is really encouraging. What is the expected level in year 2? They won't tell me at the school. My DD is 5 years and 5 months and came from a different school when she started reception (went to different nursery) and in some ways has taken time to adapt to this school. It is definitely a change from reception and there seems so much more for them to achieve. When I look at this website I think that all the children are reading brilliantly and it does worry me. Thank you for cheering me up.

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activate · 07/10/2010 17:16

Reading is progressive it kind of leaps and plateaus IME

so a child who is at level 1 now could easily be reading fluently in 6 months, it just clicks

I awould stop the flashcards completely and the stuff that feels like work - just enjoy reading to her, don't force her to read to you but let her read the odd word

the less you sweat it the better - it makes no difference if she doesn't read fluently until she's 8 tbh - at 8 or 9 they all equalise anyway and these "my child could read at 3" fade into the background of so what. ONe of my favourites has always been "my child is gifted in reading" - stupid comment, they all read eventually

Original poster

jaded · 07/10/2010 17:21

But doesn't it make it harder for a child to access other parts of the curriculum in year 2 and 3 if they have difficulties reading? It is true I should take a more relaxed approach but it's hard. I've had to leave it to my husband who is very calm and chilled when he helps my daughter.

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activate · 07/10/2010 17:25

you need to calm down about it

All my kids seemed to get reading later than you'd expect from reading MN or talking to your friends - so around year 2 to 3 they became fluent. Apart from youngest who hasn't quite got it yet (year 1)

The 3 eldest are bright, well-rounded - eldest got all As and A* in GCSEs, DS3 is on G&T (spits) register now as is DD (who can't read)

Original poster

jaded · 07/10/2010 17:35

Maybe I should stop comparing so much. Am in an area of North London where the parents love to go on and on about these things. I just blame myself a bit because I was very laid back in her reception year and didn't push her. She wanted to play and I still think it is important for young children to play. She loves books and can concentrate well so at the moment, what more could I ask for? Is the teacher's approach correct then?

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activate · 08/10/2010 06:39

I think your gut reaction so far has been spot on and you're only concerned now becuase of competitive mummy pressure - ignore them please

The best thing a young child can do is be a young child - so who cares if they read now or not - it's about play and socialising and learning to enjoy learning - and no small child enjoys struggling at reading but they do love being read to and being applauded when they read the simplest word with mummy or daddy

yes I think teacher is right but more importantly so is your gut instinct

mathanxiety · 08/10/2010 06:43

I would read to her with my finger running along under the words and forget the flashcards and tapes. Cozy up together and relax. Have fun.

Flighttattendant · 08/10/2010 06:44

She's only 5! Please calm down. You don't need to push her. Most kids around the world (USA, Europe) don't even start this stuff till they are about 7. The brain needs to mature enough to understand it - this is her only 'mental block'. She's just very little.

Stop panicking.

My 7yo ds was HOPELESS at reading till about 6 months ago when it just took off and went stratospheric - honestly, you'll see. Once they can do it they can read anything, and will do, constantly

now put away those boring jolly phonics cds and let her wind down after school, or she will get really anxious just like you are and it will impede her learning.

BudaisintheZONE · 08/10/2010 07:14

Have a look here at the ORT site. It gives you a rough idea of the levels for each age. And they are a guideline. I used to have a better, more detailed one but couldn't find it.

As others have said chill a bit! She is only little. You were quite right to relax in Reception and let her play. I read on here at one stage that Reception year at the beginning should be 80% play and 20% work and gradually change to 20% play and 80% work by the end of that year. And some children will still be wanting to play the whole time. That's fine. My MIL was a Reception teacher for years and she has had children starting Reception who could read and children starting who had never held a book. She reckoned that by about age 7 they all level out.

Let her enjoy books. Don't stress about it. She will be fine I am sure.

Panzee · 08/10/2010 07:18

That's the sort of thing I would say if I was your child's teacher. But I would have said take her to the library, read signs, labels, shopping lists etc with her. Help her develop a love of reading.

I totally agree that usually sometime between 5-8 years the reading just 'clicks' and you can't stop them!

Please rely on your instincts and let her be a child. :)

nickschick · 08/10/2010 07:19

Reading is like a competitive sport.

A child cant read no matter what the encouragement ,until it clicks- the written word-spoken word.

Some of the cleverest children I know have been later readers its really in the grand scheme not such a huge deal -its better and easier if they read fluently.

With parents like you,shes not lacking encouragement and any day it will all fall into place and she will fly through them and by offering a different collection at home she will aquire a taste for reading - one child I know was reading biff n chip at school and malory towers at home .

As an extra subtitles on the tv are a good way to encourage word recognition and there used to be a magic key comic.

mrz · 08/10/2010 18:56

How many terms did she have in reception and what was she taught there?

luciemule · 08/10/2010 19:11

Our school, as kids enter reception, have the parents in to show them how the school teaches phonics. They don't want parents to teach reading incorrectly/differently to how they do it.

Here, they have to read some of their books every night but unfortunately, they only read out loud within a group. I would prefer an adult to listen to them almost every day in school as well but they don't have time. Instead, they do monthly reading tests I think to assess where they are.

LaRochelle · 08/10/2010 20:04

Read-a-long books and CDs are really nice for developing confidence and don't feel like "work". We used to get lots from the library.

Onetoomanycornettos · 08/10/2010 20:43

I agree she is quite young and so whilst being enthusiastic, reading to/with her, doing phonic fun stuff might be great at home, she will learn to read over the next year or two, you don't need to spend every waking hour on this. Remember she may be in Year One in this system where they go so early, but in the past, in my age, I was five when I went to school and most children couldn't read before school age. So, I think you are panicking a bit early, which is easy to do in a hyper-competitive environment. It's far too early to talk about 'blocks'!

magicmummy1 · 08/10/2010 20:57

If she picks up on your anxiety, you may just put her off - I would try to relax about the whole thing and just enjoy reading story books to her for the time being. Focus on nurturing a love of books, and show her that you like to read yourself. She is only five, it will click when she's ready.

Original poster

jaded · 08/10/2010 21:36

Mrz - she was part time in the first term and then had two full terms after that. She was ill an awful lot though and it was a free flow of two classes of 60. Not ideal at all. My DD is very quiet and took a while to get used to the environment (new school and new friends). The teacher never told us she was struggling and I always had to pester the teacher for information. We never had any sessions on how to help with phonics etc.
Yes, I should relax but it isn't easy. I feel she could be doing so much more and feel angry with myself for not doing more to help. She was in tears this evening because I made her read an ORT book before bed.
Read-a-long books and cds sound like a good idea- thank you. There are some lovely comments here - I really appreciate them all

OP posts:

Original poster

jaded · 08/10/2010 22:07

Am going to get a tutor and then she'll be ok. Can't rely on the school to help her so need to give her that boost.

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mathanxiety · 09/10/2010 05:49

Barking up the wrong tree there, imo.

Don't make her read to the point of tears.

Runoutofideas · 09/10/2010 07:48

Please don't turn it onto a battleground and make her think she hates reading. A friend of mine had a child who was reluctant to read. She went the opposite way and backed off completely. Didn't open the book bag for 2 weeks. Suddenly the dd started getting her books out and asking the mother to read with her - she now isn't struggling at all.

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