Entering reception year knowing ... ??

[skybluepearl]

My Ds2 is about to start reception in September. He loves drawing and books. His 9 year old brother has taken great delight in teaching him all the letter sounds this month plus a few numbers. I am proud of them but also would be so embarrassed if anyone knew. DS2 is keen to know more but I really don't want to seem like a pushy parent. So I am really just wondering how much your children knew on entering reception? And were they typical of their year group? Thanks in advance.

The only thing that really matters is that they can wipe their own bottoms. Otherwise, there's a complete range from knowing how to read fluently to not knowing any letters. Your DS2 sounds average. I wouldn't worry.

There will be a whole range of abilities, from some who may already be able to read and write a bit, to some who may 'know' very little.
I wouldn't stress about it and if your DS2 is enjoying learning from his brother, then let them keep doing it.
My DD has been described as 'solidly average' - she is highly skilled verbally and can express herself well in speech, but she is not outstanding with her reading and writing, but some of her classmates are already very competent readers. On starting Reception she could write her own name and copy some letters but didn't really understand what they meant, similarly, she can count very well, but is only just grasping the idea that numbers are representative of something - not just repeating what was really just a sequence of words before.

how to get undressed/dressed for pe

could do a zip up/put on coat

able to open lunchbox

competent at independent toileting and reliable with handwashing after

knew their colours, could count and sort by shape/size

loads of other stuff that I can't recall

both of my children could not read or write before starting school, though they could recognise their names. by xmas of their reception yrs they were both reading well, and writing too. child number 1 in express lane in secondary, child number 2 been a free reader since yr 4

ps don't be embarrassed at being proud

Hi

I have dt's who start reception in september. They know all their letter sounds (thanks mostly to the 'Letters and Sounds' DVD) and also digraphs such as ch, sh, oa, er, etc - thanks to 'Jolly Songs Digraphs' on the internet and the letters and sounds poster we have in the kitchen!

They have just started to want to 'read' the songbird books eg 'I am Top Cat', and want to know how everything is spelt!

They also love doing workbooks where they practice writing letters and also reading a word eg bat and drawing a line to the picture of a bat.

We are working on recognising numbers up from 20 thanks to a snake drawn on the floor on the path up to their nursery school!! Every morning I get them to tell me what 2-3 numbers are.

They love to do this sort of thing, which tbh is a bloody novelty for me because my dd (8) and to some degree ds (11) never showed any interest in learning anything at all in their pre-school years. Therefore I never forced them to. I am SO not a pushy parent.

But the twins are keen - so I just go along with what they fancy!

HTH

Good points above - it really is helpful, both for the child and the teacher, to have nailed basic self care.
Don't be at all embarrassed by having a child who is interested in learning and getting encouragement at home.

Your ds sounds pretty normal to me. Dd1 is also starting school September. She knows pretty much all her letter sounds and can read numbers up to 10. She can write her name and a few other simple words. This is all from nursery not home as I haven't taught her any of this.

A neighbour's child could read very fluently before starting school so some kids do get quite a head start!

If your ds is keen then I think you're right to encourage him and this doesn't make you in any way pushy.

Thanks for all the feed back! They have such a laugh whilst the eldest teaches DS2. DS2 will be young and small in his year group, so it's quite nice to see him keen to learn and hopefully it might give him a little more confidence.

Must teach him to open his lunch box too. Forgot about that one!

The self care skills are by far the most important ones. DD started reception in September and her school sent the following in the Welcome Pack.

Before your child starts school, please try to ensure they can do the following:
Dress and undress themselves
Do up buttons and zips
Put on shoes (no laces please)
Use a knife and fork
Use the toilet independently and clean themselves with toilet paper
Wash and dry hands independently
Blow nose and use a handkerchief
Hang up coats/clothes

It would be helpful if they could also:
Sit still and listen for 5-10minutes
Line up sensibly
Follow instructions
Take turns and share
Recognise own name
Count to 10

DD is end of August born and I didn't stress on the academic side - she confidently recognised numbers 1-100 and could do addition and subtraction of 2 digit numbers (numbers were her thing). But, her writing was just very pretty scribbles and we didn't do any phonics (for fear of teaching her wrong and doing more damage than good). Now, she is a confident reader/writer, described as excelling by her teacher and, most importantly, thoroughly enjoying school.

im a rec teacher, it doesnt matter what youre child can and cant do cos a good school will treat them as individuals and act accordingly. i would just like them willing to have a go and happy to come to school each day!! sorry one handed typing with baby asleep on arm!

bunnyjo Is hanging up coats a skill they learn in nursery and then forget until aged 19 somewhere between yr1 and yr4?

timetosmile Aha, yes, it is an age appropriate skill that is learned at nursery, mastered in reception, then completely lost until adulthood... DD is 'ahead' and has already lost said skill, certainly at home

DD is due to start reception in septvand is obsessed with all things to do with reading/phonics and can read some of the basic books already (mainly songbirds books).

If she wants to learn it, I will teach her iykwim hope this does not make me a pushy parent!!!

thanks for that