How did your DC find the move from Reception to Y1?

[beanandspud]

Just curious really.

DS is just finishing Reception and is looking forward to Y1. A lot of parents have spoken about the change - more formal, less play, more structure etc. and I just wondered whether there really is such a difference.

His current teacher seems to think he'll be fine. Did your DC find the move from Reception to Y1 very different?

Mine found it very hard. Not at school as much, but she was often in a filthy mood after school, I'd say until february-ish. And as she is normally an even-tempered happy thing I found it very hard.

We put her to bed early as often as we could.

But it depends a lot on the style of the teachers. Her Yr1 teacher was straight into it being quite different - more formal, much less play etc, no real transition period - I know that others are different.

she didn't notice a big change, and I don't know of any of her classmates that did either
the school didn't warn us to expect one, and she's still done lots of learning through play
I guess it varies from school to school and teacher to teacher

we are facing it this summer too and I think she will be fine because actually she keeps asking WHEN she will get to do more work. I do remember a few parents saying last year that some of their kids found it heavy going at first but it depends on the school I think how they tackle it.

I'm wondering this too. We were told Ds would be shattered when he started Reception so we didn't sign him up for extra curricular stuff and he wasn't exhausted at all. I think school are gearing them up for being in Year 1 at the moment so hopefully there won't be too much of a change.

Schools generally phase out the play and replace with more structured sessions, but it does depend on the school and teacher as to how and at what pace.

My dd preferred the structure of Y1, although several of her classmates found it hard.

It was a big change, but it was a change for the better for DS. He was really ready for it and thrived. Having said that he was pretty grumpy the first week but I think that's very normal . His teacher has been very good and they learn in a very creative way which suits DS too. They've been good at stretching them this year (DS not really stretched in YR), and his writing especially has taken off.

DS was happier in Y1. He would often tantrum after school in reception year, presumably through boredom. He's an active little mite but definitely needed more structured learning than YR offered.

For my Aug born little difference YrR to Y1 but biiiiig shift Y1 to Y2.

Neither DS nor DD had any problems.

Wondering too. Have already had a few other parents telling me it's very different in yr1. Having said that, this term DD1's teacher has started to do things such as spelling tests etc and other activities that she calls 'transition to yr1' so maybe DD1 is more prepared than I think.

Mine all seemed to quite like the more structured environment in Year 1.

DD enjoyed most of it but found it very tiring, probably more tiring than starting school if I'm honest.
She also struggled when she started to get stuff wrong as the work became more stretching for. She is very able and was used to cruising through everything, when she started to find things a little tougher (but still with in her capabilities IYSWIM) she tended to give up and say "I can't do it".

Luckily she had a fab Y1 teacher who was happy to talk to us, who really understood DD and worked with her to build her confidence and get her back on track.

DD is also coming to the end of reception.

She is sooo ready for yr1.

Thanks for the replies, I do think that DS will thrive in Y1, he has loved Reception but needs to be challenged a bit. I expect him to be tired - the start of YR wiped him out for a few weeks.

So glad to hear that it's not such a huge change though.