Feeling guilty about reception dd reading. Advice appreciated!

[binweevils]

DD in reception was suddenly doing really well with her reading and growing in confidence. I think i have just ruined it though. Teacher recognised how well she was doing and sent her home with 2 harder books. These have more words on each page (about 5 lines). Instantly dd decides she can't read these books and messes about when we are doing reading. In fact, she can read the book (a few challenging words where she has to think what certain digraphs are), but not out of her reach if she would sit down and concentrate. So a page that should take 1 minute to read takes 10 mins. I found myself getting cross with her and her attitude to reading has really changed. I need to approach this better, but how?

I'd ask for an easier book or start reading her books in 2 or 3 weekday sessions (or 1 session if it's the weekend and she is more rested.)

We had it similar, when DD moved up one band. I think the teacher made the mistake saying something like "they are a bit harder to read" so DD automatically said "I can't read it".

We went back to shared reading for a while. Either I do a word, you do one or I do a page, you do the next. So the daunting task of a whole new book wasn't so big.

After a while she suddenly was able to do it on her own. Obviously some words are now harder to do phonetically and we help.

At this age I don't expect DD to read everything by herself especially as she is fairly tired in the late afternoon and is not concentrating enough.

Sounds as though she is being given whole language reading books -I suggest you ask her teacher to provide appropriate (fit with the classroom phonics programme) decodable ones which she can read using her decoding skills rather than resorting to multi-cueing.
The DfE have asked schools to do this:

''In Oct 2010 the DfE introduced a revised set of criteria for synthetic phonics programmes. It included new advice on early texts to practise reading: '(E)nsure that as pupils move through the early stages of acquiring phonics, they are invited to practise by reading texts which are entirely decodable for them, so that they experience success and learn to rely on phonemic strategies. It is important that texts are of the appropriate level for children to apply and practise the phonic knowledge and skills that they have learnt. Children should not be expected to use strategies such as whole-word recognition and/or cues from context, grammar, or pictures.''
dfe.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/pedagogy/teachingstyles/phonics/a0010240/criteria-for-assuring-high-quality-phonic-work

It seems that these new books are too large a step up from the ones she was doing so well with. Try not to get cross but, perhaps, ask the teacher if there are books at an intermediate level that will both be more accessible but provide a bit of a challenge.

it is hard. ds's school frequently send home books that aren't decodable for his level. fortunately ds is pretty confident and doesn't get knocked back too easy (doesn't really give a shit if he gets it wrong at this stage basically and knows he's doing well really) and i'm quite confident due to having a background in teaching and knowing he's a flexible learner so won't really be troubled by mixed methods (re: giving him words to remember by sight instead of all phonetics). with a different child or parent i can see how this could mess things up.

i second splitting the reading - initially read the tricky words and point at the words you know they can confidently read. share the reading and gradually get them reading some of the harder words until eventually they're having a stab at reading all of it. it takes the pressure off for a while whilst confidence catches up with the new level i think.

i have to say 5 lines to a page books in reception does seem to be over reaching and missing the point really which is to gain confidence and interest in reading and work through the stages of the phonetics programme at the right pace for the child.

Thanks for the advice everyone. I love the idea of me reading one page and her the next. I think she will go for that. These are synthetic phonic books but i think some of the sounds in them haven't yet been covered at school.

My daughter is always telling me she can't read stuff. She's three. It's amazing how quickly her reading improves when I produce a lolly.

Wow, sounds like your dd is doing really well for 3. My dd didn't even know the alphabet then! I had considered the smarties bribe. I think i will buy some ready for later!

don't think you need something extra just to delay something she already has - so if she usually has a snack after school say right let's get the reading done before your snack - or tv if that's it etc.

i wouldn't do pages just yet personally but do words or lines maybe. 5 lines is quite a daunting block of text.

I wouldn't push her at all. The last thing you want to do it make reading a chore and destroy any love for books that she has built up.

oh and i'll tell you what i don't get him to read every night. i want him to love it rather than see it as a chore. this has resulted in him seeing me sitting and listening to him read as a real treat so instead of having to bribe him to do it he has to do stuff so that i will sit down and give him my full attention to read evil mummy.

My dd2 can lack focus when it is something tricky. I have found for her the trick is to set a timer, I usually give her 15mins. Having a set time means that if she is staring at the ceiling at least I know it is for 15mins. Before she would mess around, then when I said I would do something else she would beg to finish it, then you look mean if you don't sit and read for longer. If she is really enjoying a book I will offer to give another 15 min session later.

I also find with at least the lower level books, and with dd1 chapter books that 10-15min seems about right to finish a book/chapter. Lots less and book is too easy, lots more and book is frustratingly hard for them.

I also agree about doing some easy reading /things which interest them too so it becomes fun again.

Yes, i think i shall get her to read when she gets home from school. Currently we do it after tea and t.v. by which time she has probably relaxed and cannot be bothered.

Remember that with the longer books you don't have to read the whole thing - just note down what page you've read up to.

I am feeling guilty too as DD2 was very tired last night and messing about over her reading book, and I got frustrated (she was sucking her thumb, and laboriously taking it out, saying one word, and then putting it in again ). We left it for last night and tried again this morning and she did really well. I made a mental note that I mustn't turn it into a chore as previously she has been so super-keen with her reading book - practically getting it out and waving it at me as she comes in the door !