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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

How long does your reception child take to read to you?

42 replies

Walkingbkwrm · 19/09/2014 19:50

Old member rejoining (sign up email no longer active oops).

DS1 just started reception and we are reading his book at home but it seems to take ages - I timed it tonight, 37 min to read about 25 words! He only had problems with 2 of them and we did talk about the pictures (admittedly this may have taken a while). He just got distracted and lost focus mid word sentence a lot. I don't think he's too tired he seems ok. Other parents seem to spend 10 - 15 min (they say anyway). If we only did that much there would a) be tantrums because we wouldn't finish what "story" there was and b) we would be reading less than 10 words a day. Neither seems right to me but 40 min is rather a long time, his attention isn't markedly better at the beginning compared to the end though - if anything it's better when we get to the last page!

Any advice from teachers/ other experiences? I will try and get hold of his teacher if need be but she isn't on the school door at drop off (it's a y1 teacher I think - joint entrance) and I don't always pick him up.

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mrz · 19/09/2014 19:57

I always say 5 or 10 mins in reception certainly not 40 mins

JammyTodger · 19/09/2014 20:00

That's way too long to be reading at that age. Little and often, even if it's just taking about the pictures. You want him to enjoy books, not put him off for life

Artandco · 19/09/2014 20:01

10-15 mins here

BuildYourOwnSnowman · 19/09/2014 20:06

If my dd wants to finish the story I read alternate pages. Agree that 10 mins is about right after a long day at school

Doodledot · 19/09/2014 20:15

10 mins has the book read with a bit of checking that she is not just looking the pics

Putmedownsaidthefish · 19/09/2014 20:16

My dd doesn't read yet!

Doodledot · 19/09/2014 20:16

That's 45 words btw

Putmedownsaidthefish · 19/09/2014 20:16

As in, she isn't able to.

imme · 19/09/2014 20:17

My son started last week and at this stage I am reading the words to him and we talk about the pictures. Your post sounds like your son actually reads himself?

MollyBdenum · 19/09/2014 20:20

10 minutes. He reads as much as he can, which might be only one or two pages, and then if he wants the rest of the story, I might read it to him. But he is generally happy to be left on a cliffhanger - what will happen in tomorrow's exciting instalment of The Bop?

ABlandAndDeadlyCourtesy · 19/09/2014 20:20

Same as imme - parents are reading at present.

Only1scoop · 19/09/2014 20:21

My dd is 4.5 and just started reception. We read to her and she recognises a few letters but she doesn't read. Reception have not sent any books home either.

LucyBabs · 19/09/2014 20:23

I'm always amazed to hear children in the UK are reading when they start reception or it seems are expected to "get" it so soon.

My dd started school sept 2013 at 5 yrs old so she's now started Senior infants at 6 yrs and her teacher isn't sending home any independent reading yet. She can sound out all words and letters though. What am I missing?

Doodledot · 19/09/2014 20:40

Mine amazes me that she just gets it. They did phonics in school nursery with those that they thought were ready. I had no idea until she started spelling words to me etc In second week in reception they got books sent home. Hers are level 2 so I assume others got level 1 etc she reads it but suspect she guesses some words, as I said.

Doodledot · 19/09/2014 20:43

Lots of schools use the books with no words first also. I think what ever books it is 10 min is fine. Story books for bed is any 3 rule in our house

TeenAndTween · 19/09/2014 20:50

I've always spent 10-15mins since yrR (y5 now).

Maybe say, we'll read first and then go back and look at the pictures?

Don't let them struggle too long on any word, help them sound it out and blend it and move on.

We've also always done listening to reading in the morning after breakfast but before school, DD is more awake, focussed and compliant then.

chocomochi · 19/09/2014 20:53

DD hasn't received any books from Reception yet, and I'm almost certain they haven't started teaching phonics yet either. Maybe it's a book for you to share?

Doodledot · 19/09/2014 20:59

25 words sounds like a level 1 book. I would just do 10 min every morning and leave it at that. I would definatejy ask for advice as to what they are expecting. It's a bit daft unless he's already been doing phonics - they start by learning letter sounds using songs etc at our (community state) school

Original poster

Walkingbkwrm · 19/09/2014 21:00

Yes, he reads himself - I was expecting wordless books tbh but he did his sounds at nursery and looks like his teacher has put him up a level? It's only a basic book - I've counted now, 31 words. I was surprised it took so long, I agree 5 - 10 min would be better, but if that includes talking about the story, I can see us just doing 1 page (4/5 words!). I kind of thought if the teacher thought he was ready for a book, he was ready for sustained practice - which 4 words isn't? Before we have only done me reading while asking him what the odd word here and there is iyswim. Can't see him going for installments. Alternating pages might work, we could try that. We have a "show off hour day" next week, I'll try and ask his teacher about it then though she might be horribly busy.

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Doodledot · 19/09/2014 21:01

Molly that made me laugh. I was wondering if biff and kipper and co have cliff hangers?

StripyBanana · 19/09/2014 21:08

I think trying to keep going for that long everyday at that age could be counterproductive and put him off reading....

We didn't have any compulsory reading in reception, just books to look at if they were ready/wanted to.

MollyBdenum · 19/09/2014 21:17

There's a lot to wonder about, Doodle. Will Hen hop? Will the pig dip? Will the bug miss the bus?

(The story so far... A load of animals with cvc names are waiting for a bus to take them to the hop, where they plan to attempt a variety of simply named dance styles).

Original poster

Walkingbkwrm · 19/09/2014 21:19

I'm not sure he's likely to be put off books tbh, I tried to suggest stopping after page 3 (of 6) but was met by protests of no, no, we need to finish the book mummy! Plus when we were done and I went off to put some laundry on he started looking at another book on his own :). Appreciate it's a long term thing though - will def try the alternating pages thing and see how that goes.

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EugenesAxe · 19/09/2014 21:19

My DS has been in reception 8 days. They get books after a meeting where we are given advice about reading with our children. I have been told by a mum with older children that we are advised to spend 10mins a day reading with our child. Being read to is still very important for vocabulary, word context, expression etc.

If he cannot leave the story part-way it doesn't sound like you have much choice though... in general I think if he is reading at all then he's OK.

Original poster

Walkingbkwrm · 19/09/2014 21:20

That sounds like a cool story Molly! Not sure mine could stand the suspense :).

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