How do you encourage your child to participate in class?

[Jaffaswife]

hi
Feeling rather disheartened...

Just spoken to my DD's reception teacher to say how delighted I am with her reading. The teacher agreed she had excellent sight vocab but said she was however concerned that she didn't join in/ share her thoughts... with the class and really wanted her to open up....

My DD is v outgoing, chatty, has Lots to say.... I was quite surprised and now have no idea how I can help her...

Any advice?

love j x

I think tbh teacher can do that more than you - but there may be diffetent oppinions

for a strat - you are not there, don't know how class interacts etc

I have seen that sometimes teachers say such thing but what that really mean they haven't found the way to bring childs personality out

Do you thing I should ask to talk to the teacher after school today? I am a sensitive mummy who is really involved with the children. I Can't bear to let things like this go but I don't want to interfere either....

I think teachers like to know about their kids, not sure is a quick chat like that is the best - maybe book an appointment then the teacher will come prepared and you can have 10-15 min of very usefull discussion

teachers after school are often busy with preparation for the next day etc - she will appreciate your initiative and the fact that she is choosing time and place :)

Agree with kayah. Book an appointment for a proper talk. Also remember your DD is only 4/5? This is almost certainly a blip and with appropriate encouragement and strategies by the teacher she will soar. Good luck.

DD was shy and never spoke or raised her hand in reception. She wouldn't even answer to her name at registration. I did some role playing games with her soft toys as classmates and that helped.

THat's the problem my DD is really outgoing, bright, v old for her year....

I am wondering if she actually bored....

I am going to ask for a meeting xx

At every single parents evening, ever, for each of my children, all the teacher have said they don't contribute much in class/are quiet etc.

They are 17, 15 and 13 (nearly), and all doing really well at school.

Some kids just don't want to speak up.

Erh parenting is so hard isn't it. I feel that i go from one worry to another (and I didn't think I was a worrier!!!)

roleplaying with toys is a good idea
let her give them names, choose teacher together
yo uwill learn a lot about her and her worries like that

School can be a scary place for some kids - a Reception boy in a class I help in cries several times a day. I share books with him, and he's just moved on from making up own story for picture books, to his first sounding-out words book (Sam, Tam, Pip, Pop etc) and he loved it.

If her class has a Teaching Assistant they can often encourage shy or reluctant kids, and some schools have Year 6 'buddies' to help the little ones.

As long as DD isn't unhappy about things, then please try not to worry about it. What subjects does she enjoy? Is she OK at playtimes; does she mix in the playground?

I'm sure you'll look back on it in a few months and think it wasn't so serious after all!

[ KS1 class helper ]

Ferguson and Kayah thanks for your advice. I spoke to DD teacher this morning.

THe teacher said she is v independent, v focused, serious..... If you watch DD in class this am she chose to colour (as she does most mornings) and seems meticulous. She is totally engrossed in her activity and not runing around, giggling, shouting, .... like the others.

She is a leader in the playground for definite the teachers have said this to me and it is obvious.

I am now thinking my DD is simply serious about school and listens more than talks.

ROLE play here we come!!