First parents' evening on the other side of the desk- how to help dd

[littlebylittle]

Had my first parents' evening as a parent last night. Dd doing really well academically, really fast progress from not writing name correctly at start of year. Other things and friendships fine - all good so far. Then... Dd needs lots of reminders to stay on task when doing work in groups at a table with an adult. Having heard lots of parents on the other side of this I was a bit . Then had discussion about appropriate level of challenge- work in books well within what she is capable of and sounds as if a bit hard to keep up because she's moving fast. But that's only a bit of the picture. How can I help her to focus with classroom distractions? Have started to do reading at home with ds in the room and she's learnt to manage that. But I can't recreate classroom conditions at home without a very big playdate. What can I do? Carrot? Stick? Leave it alone and it'll come?

My ds1 is 7 (year 2) and his targets, term in term out, throughout his school life so far without fail include something along the lines of 'I must manage my distractions'.

Dh pointed out that he is 37 and his target is pretty similar...

I'm not sure there really is a lot you can do about it tbh, I think it's something that comes with maturity (hence dh not getting there yet ).

What would you suggest if it were one of your pupil rather than your dd?

I haven't taught reception, but further up the school, I would be changing where the child sat to help manage it better, and expecting that the parent supported me properly in making it a priority, do that they raised it as a proper concern with the child after parents' evening. I would also make sure the child had rewards and sanctions in place for it. But not sure how much development will come- she's much more focussed since starting school. She's the first five year old I've had daily contact with!

TBH ... she's 5. Life's too exciting when you're 5 to be expected to sit still at a table and concentrate without getting distracted! It will come. If that's your only worry, you're a very lucky lady

TBH ... she's 5. Life's too exciting when you're 5 to be expected to sit still at a table and concentrate without getting distracted! It will come. If that's your only worry, you're a very lucky lady