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Primary education

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Original poster

Reading in Reception again

24 replies

crystal07 · 18/01/2011 16:21

I dont have any major concerns for my DD1 but shes in Year R and reading stage 1+ books (ORT)
which I thought was fine and I admit was quite proud of her progress, only to find that other children in same class are having stage 3 and 4 sent home. Is that normal? should I be worried about her falling behind?

OP posts:
MumNWLondon · 18/01/2011 16:42

My DS1 in reception..... he knows all his letters (knew them before he started reception) and no books have come home yet. I expressed concerns and they told me no one has had reading books yet, the aim is to start after Feb halfterm. Was told that this was government policy!!!!! (no reading books for first term)

I am not worried. DD in year 2, on ORT 11 reads to herself very fluently and was up to ORT 3 by end of reception.

squidgy12 · 18/01/2011 16:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
crystal07 · 18/01/2011 16:55

thanks for posting.

Like I said I wasnt worried because dd is actually reading but its just that I dont understand how some kids can be so far ahead. That has prompted me to post this concern, my dd is a member of reading chest so we have many reading scheme books at home all the time. I admit I do get a bit paranoid after talking to other mums.

OP posts:
lovecheese · 18/01/2011 17:02

Don't listen to other mums; how do you know that they are not "Embroidering" their DC's abilities anyway?

mycarscallednev · 18/01/2011 17:06

As a mother with older children, believe me when I tell you - don't listen to playground talk! Some [not all], but some, and these are usually the ones speaking loud and proud, are less than truthfull! Nothing beats an honest parent for making you less paranoid. They'll be telling you they are reading War and Peace when they can - age appropriately just read 'Run said Kipper, Run said Biff, Run said Dad, Oh no!!.'

PatriciaHolm · 18/01/2011 17:25

Some children click with reading earlier than others, it happens. In our Y1 class we have some children still on ORT stage 2/3, and some who have finished stage 11 and moved the scheme. None of this is worrying! Mostly it will all even out over Yr2/3.

OffToNarnia · 18/01/2011 17:31

Try not to get sucked in! As others have said kids 'get' reading at different times and it all tends to even out in the end. Don't listen to the boasty mums!!

Runoutofideas · 18/01/2011 17:40

I helped in dd's reception class last year and the range of what is considered "normal" when it comes to reading is huge. I remember being intitially very surprised. It will probably range from children who recognise a few letters, to children who could read a fair bit before even starting school. Your dd sounds like she's doing fine - It is not going to help you or her to compare her to other children in her class. My dd is now in year one and it is amazing how far they have all come since this time last year.

BarbarianMum · 18/01/2011 18:52

She sounds like she's doing fine. Ds1 took 6 months to get from knowing his letter sounds to the end of ORT 1, since then 4 months to get to ort 4 - his reading just took off. But although we are pleased I'm sure in a couple of years the whole class will read on pretty much the same level. He walked early too but he doesn't walk/run any better than his contemparies now - reading is a bit like that, I think.

pigsinmud · 18/01/2011 18:57

Don't fret and as someone else said don't get sucked in.

My dd2 is in reception and is doing well with her letters. She came home the other day and asked if red books were better than pink. She is on pink and said another girl is now on red and she told dd2 that red is much better than pink. Needless to say that girl is daughter of pushy/boasty mum!

Original poster
crystal07 · 18/01/2011 23:20

Sorry had to rush off to work earlier. Thanks for advice. I will try not to compare as I've read about Reading threads many times and always pretty much same such as all dc's go at own pace. I will calm down.

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fruitstick · 18/01/2011 23:27

Now you've made me paranoid!

I was very proud of DS as he's bringing home 1+ and 2.

There are children on level 4 Shock

This school business is a bloody minefield!

bronze · 18/01/2011 23:29

I can't even get my dd to sound two letters together. I'm getting a little worried about it

lemonysnickett · 18/01/2011 23:47

One reason they are ahead is more reading at home...pretty easy to catch up or zoom ahead if you read more at home wiht your child...that's what I have found.

DreamTeamGirl · 19/01/2011 00:04

Bronze, my DS wasnt sounding/ blending two letters together at that stage of YR either, but he is doing great now and is way ahead of the national standard in Y1. He did whole word reading for about he first 8 months

Dont worry, as they get to blending in phonics it will click for her

magicmummy1 · 19/01/2011 00:17

Some kids are already reading when they start school. It doesn't necessarily mean that they'll stay ahead. Children don't necessarily learn at a steady pace, they have sudden spurts and then they plateau for a while.

As long as she is making progress - and it sounds like she is - then I don't think there is anything to worry about. She is still very young!

Original poster
crystal07 · 19/01/2011 07:13

I do loads of Reading at home and always have done!

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bronze · 19/01/2011 08:24

That's reassuring. I think my problem is ds1 is a clever bod and ds2 is pretty bright but also has the advantage of being one of the older ones and they were reading by now. DD is august as well as a prem and I'm probably expecting too much of her. We read a lot at home so I suspect one day it will just click. My main worry is they keep giving her harder books, started as one word books and now they have sentences. Shorts ones, cat sat mat, but definitely harder that the 'cat' 'mat' ones she had.
I can't compare as they get th ebus in and I know no other parents at the school so the only other comparison I had was her brothers.

Original poster
crystal07 · 19/01/2011 09:45

my dd loves being read to and enjoys books a great deal, but I know when it comes to reading a writing she is just not very motivated. Give her addition and subtraction and she is happy. I think she is just more number inclined.

Fruitstick - I totally am with you surely children in reception cant be on stage 4!

also my dd is one of the eldest in class so that goes against me at playground talk.

OP posts:
fruitstick · 19/01/2011 10:09

Crystal, I'll be honest, I thought DS1 was quite advanced to be on level 2. Lots of his friends have only just been moved up to pink (where they get words).

We have always done lots of reading at home and my theory about DS's frequent reluctance is that the books are much simpler and less interesting than the books he is used to that we read to him.

I try to emphasise how great it will be when he can read books all by himself etc, as well as get him to sound out words in the books I'm reading.

I don't think your DD is falling behind at all Grin

LilRedWG · 19/01/2011 10:13

DD is on pink and happy there. She loves reading at school apparently but gets frustrated with herself at home. I try not to stress. She loves books and I know that she'll get there in the end. I don't even discuss levels with other parents - that way lie madness.

crazygracieuk · 19/01/2011 11:56

My August born ds in on level 1+ and 2 too and is average in his class (normal state school). There are children on 3/4 but they were able to read before school started.

Your dd is not behind at all.

Original poster
crystal07 · 19/01/2011 16:43

just had to post that dd has been given stage 2 book today, which is alot more challenging. she has read it to me already and I am quite happy with her.

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MigratingCoconuts · 19/01/2011 18:47

playground parents who boast openly can be such poison!!

Our teacher pointed out that it doesn't matter where they are...as long as they make progress.

That seemed very sensible to me and we can all be quietly proud of how they move on (continually amazing to me!!)

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