I am a primary teacher, my DS has just started school and his teacher has a policy of not giving a reading book until children are 'ready'. I can see the reasoning behind this of not wanting to put young children off. However my DS knows all his letter sounds, can decode 2 and 3 letter words independently and is starting to read high frequency 'tricky' words. He is able to read patterned stories from Oxford Reading Tree Stage 2 with me at home. In my experience this indicates reading readiness, I can't see how he could possibly be more ready! Another child in his class knows all his initial phonemes, can blend and read 60 words on sight, and also has no book [hshock].
I feel as though I am being asked to prove he's good enough to receive a reading book. He needs the books to move on and build his skills. Do any early years teachers reading this know what criteria for reading readiness could be responsible for this strange approach? At parents evening the teacher said she 'couldn't see it in DS' without defining what 'it' is. Obviously I am going to pursue this after half term if no book is forthcoming. Anyone with similar experiences?