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Original poster

What should children be able to DO when they start in reception?

29 replies

kickingKcurlyC · 14/04/2012 10:48

I know there will be a range of academic ability, and I'm not really worrying about teaching the times tables or the capitals of all European countries, or anything like that...

I mean, what does it help to be able to do for yourself when you start, as in, the practical stuff -

Do they need to be fully capable of dressing themselves?

Will they stand out if they can't eat well with a knife and fork?

Any advice? :)

OP posts:
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mrsnesbit · 14/04/2012 10:52

yep,
dress themsleves
use knife & fork
wipe themselves after the loo
listen/sit for short periods
Kind to others

apart from that, nowt really.

mrsnesbit · 14/04/2012 10:54

Oh btw, will not stand out if they cant use knife & fork easily, not at all.

Mine was just 4 when he started and needed tons of practice in all depts, but got there. No problems at all.

TheAvocadoOfWisdom · 14/04/2012 10:55

wipe their own bottoms.

If they can't dress themselves it'll be a short sharp shock in the first few weeks of PE, but there may be others in the same situation.

duchesse · 14/04/2012 10:59

There was a good thread on this not very long ago. Shall see if I can find it- it was pretty comprehensive.

duchesse · 14/04/2012 11:03

Here.

Tgger · 14/04/2012 11:20

Dress- this is just so can get changed for PE, but in my son's class it was a gradual just take off jumpers for first few weeks then I think they didn't really get changed until after half term.

Go to toilet independently including WIPING BOTTOM- much more important now in school 5 days a week 9-3pm!

The school will do the rest Grin.

Iamnotminterested · 14/04/2012 11:23

Well, this is MN, so I would say being a free reader, at the very LEAST on gold banded books, is essential; a level 3 in maths - with provision to have maths lessons with the juniors - also preferable; published, independant research on a science topic of the DC's choice, natch; and the ability to wipe one's own arse.

mrsnesbit · 14/04/2012 11:30

Goes without saying Iamnotminterested. Mine could change a plug too.
preeen >>>>>>

Grin
Iamnotminterested · 14/04/2012 11:35
Grin
Original poster
kickingKcurlyC · 14/04/2012 12:52

Ah thanks for the link Duchesse.

It's all helpful reading.

OP posts:
lulahrose · 14/04/2012 13:01

Undo and do up buttons (on shirts and cardigans), put cardigan/ jumper on and take off. put on/ take off socks or tights.
Put shoes on the right feet.
Recognise name (written)- on tray, peg, lunchbox, drink bottle etc- write in big letters and place around the house.

welovesausagedogs · 14/04/2012 14:41

Write or at least recognise their name.
Know basic letters/phonics - numbers up to 20
Be able to get themselves dressed/undressed
Do up/undo shoes
Go to the toilet - wipe their bottom (in case they need a poo at school)
Undo boxes/pots/cups in their lunch box - zip the lunch box back up again
Use a pen/pencil
Follow instructions
Do puzzles
Be used to being around other children - older kids - not frightened of big children

spidermanspiderman · 14/04/2012 17:11

My ds is in process of being dx for dyspraxia and due to start school in sept. Was really worrying as he is not actually capable of doing a lot of these things e.g get dressed, wipe own bum, use knife and fork. It is actually beyond his capabilities at present. Was really really worried so spoke to my friend who is a teacher and she advised not a panic if he can't do something and a lot of children start school not being able to do these things.

He is however doing really well with his phonics and numbers Grin.

ragged · 14/04/2012 17:17

All the physical care stuff, teacher does not want to have to teach them to take turns, use the toilet, wipe their bottoms, etc.
Helpful if they can recognise their own name.
Academic stuff is the teacher's job to teach. Don't worry about that.

Recall they didn't use to start school until a few months before 5th birthday, at earliest. And not up to preschool unless toilet trained (used to be the rule, plus not funded until nearly 4). They have to be independent that much earlier now. :(

mrz · 14/04/2012 17:22

As someone who taught in EYs for two decades and from what most EY teachers report children are actually much less independent today than they were 5 or 10 years ago.

maydaychild · 14/04/2012 21:04

My mum dug out my old school books.
Handily, they are dated by teacher on front cover.

I started preschool at 4.1. Lots of paintings! They are amazing actually and I was impressed comparing them to Dd of same age. Trust me, I have no artistic flair. Only assume I did a LOT of painting waiting to start school.

From 5.1 I started school with exercise books, and pretty immediately was writing and counting. (I learnt to read with a word tin which I do remember)
At 5.11 I was writing complex sentences and maths sums above 20.

I do think I was doing more academically than DD at the same stage in school year looking at my books.
I am Dec born to her May so not much difference in year.
I will look again in year 1.

mrspnut · 14/04/2012 21:10

At dd2's school they wanted children to be able to dress themselves including turning clothes the right way out and make a pile of their clothes.
Recognise their belongings and be able to go to the toilet independently.

Rubirosa · 14/04/2012 21:17

I would worry about self-care stuff before counting/phonics/colours.

Toileting, eating, dressing, nose-wiping.
Know their own (full) name and preferably recognise it written down.
Follow instructions and be capable of sitting quietly and listening for a short period of time (story time at the library is good for practising this if they don't go to nursery/pre-school).

wigglesrock · 14/04/2012 21:24

I think I posted on the linked thread but if I didn't. I have just had my dds parent teacher meeting at nursery school - she starts P1 (reception) in September.

The principal had a list of outcomes they wanted before going on to "big" school

putting on/taking off coat
standing in a line to come in after play
have an idea of how to use cutlery
be able to pour a cup of water from a jug
draw a scene ie your family, Christmas, pet, day at the beach etc
having an idea of caring ie they bring animals in and the children learn how to lift them/stroke them etc
count to 20
have an idea of what might happen next in a story.

These were the main ones. Her nursery doesn't accept children if they can't go to the toilet etc themselves.

RiversideMum · 15/04/2012 08:32

Ditto what Rubirosa said. Plus it may be an idea to let the teacher know if your child still has his/her bum wiped after having a poo, as I've been known to leave a child sitting on the toilet for 30 mins before realising they were still waiting for a wipe. Lots of parents seem to be in such a rush all the time and I know that it's quicker to do many things FOR your child, rather than watching them make a mess of it themselves. It's just that at school we have 30 of the little darlings. Imagine if they all needed to be wiped after using the toilet ....

baabaapinksheep · 15/04/2012 08:57

How do you teach a child to wipe their own bum? DD1 is just 4 and starting reception in September, but I still wipe her bum. I've tried to teach her, and she does it herself while she's at nursery, but she can't seem to get it clean! Is there a knack to it? Or just lots of practice?

spammertime · 15/04/2012 09:15

Baabaa - my 4 year old (July born, so in reception) son still much prefers us to wipe after a poo. My friend said to me (and was right) that if he did a poo at school, the result would just be mucky pants. Ok not very nice but he didn't sit and shout for the teacher or anything!

He is now getting keener to wipe his own bum, but tbh has mainly just been avoiding having a poo at school!

Regarding what they should be able to do - our teacher was far keener they could put on their own coat, use a knife and fork (if on school dinners) than anything academic. My DS only knew 2 letters when he started school - he's still on course to meet all targets at the end of the year as he's made good progress. Don't worry too much about all the stories you'll read on here about 4 year olds able to write a 6 page essay and perform complex calculus, in RL I haven't come across any of these genii (maybe we live in a non mumsnetting area!)

Tgger · 15/04/2012 11:20

Wiping bottoms is a funny thing. I think they get used to us the parents doing it and yes of course it's a bit tricky and parents will generally go a better job than a 3 or 4 year old. However..... I think the important thing is for the child to know that it's their job if they do a poo at school- they need to be able to have a go/take responsibility as the teacher will not! Yes, it's mostly practise I think!

We got this slightly wrong with our reception aged son, we were still doing his bum on his request at the beginning of reception. There was then a couple of poo accidents re new pants at school after none in nursery (despite doing 2 full days, it's different doing 5 ;-). He was rather upset about these, only happened twice but not nice. So, once he turned 5 (October) we declared it his job fully at home as well and we've stuck to that. No more poo accidents. Bit more instruction from Daddy on how to do it and of course a few slightly dirty pants but no fully blown accidents

welovesausagedogs · 15/04/2012 11:34

It's different for everyone, but i think it is down to practice also use wipes, it makes it much easier for the child to wipe and bits of tissue don't get stuck and it feels less uncomfortable for him. We were asked at the begging of this year (he is 4 and in nursery class) if the children could practice wiping their bottoms as they have a teacher and only one nursery nurse for the nursery class so she can't do everyone's. Yes the will have some accidents and some might be left on, but at home after my son has wiped his bottom i check to see if there is anything left and if there is he has another go. It's just a matter of them getting used to it and not being lazy, my son would much rather i do it and it done quickly, but it's better for him in the long run if i don't.

neepsandtatties · 15/04/2012 11:37

okay, really stupid question. what position do you teach your child to wipe their bottom in? Standing up? Sitting on toilet? Hand between legs or around the side? My DS's arms don't seem to be long enough to master any of these techniques!