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Is anybody else using summers hols to help 5yr old catch up?

31 replies

FluffyCubs · 30/07/2015 11:09

Finding this very hard going. Would appreciate support or advice....
My son is struggling, unengaged and falling behind. I got him some workbooks and have managed to get him to Practise writing daily, but it's all bribery and coaxing as I don't want him to know that we're really worried....all bottom boxes for report. He got off to a bad start as he had to start school six months in, but I'm keen he goes back with more confidence than he had at the end of summer term.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
ZetaPu · 31/07/2015 15:47

Yeah sorry I sort of missed that bit initially that's why I added to my post about sharing books to get him to enjoy books again.

user789653241 · 31/07/2015 20:08

To improve word recognition, I would recommend turning subtitles on TV when he's watching.
I am not a native English speaker, so I always used to turn on subtitles.
When my ds started watching TV, he wanted it on as well.
I think it depend on if your dc likes it or not, but if he/she doesn't mind it, it really seems to work!
I never had to help him learn spelling or decoding words. He knows it naturally.

tricot39 · 31/07/2015 22:55

Another vote for Pocket Phonics App and Teach Your Monster to Read websites.

Both my 2 are doing some "work" in the holidays. We have agreed targets and if they put in consistent effort over the holidays we have agreed some Lego rewards. They ask to do the work rather than me pressuring. Might be worth a try?

Would instruction manuals be popular? My DS will read detailed instructions for things but is not yet quite confident enough for larger chapter books. He has started dabbling in Wimpy Kid books tho which I left lying around. Maybe try more carrot than stick?

Good luck

JustRichmal · 01/08/2015 07:56

I would not say half an hour in the morning and half an hour in the afternoon is not too much, but I would break that down into several 5 or ten minutes, so that you stop when your son wants to stop.

Select one of his toys as one who likes reading. Then it is not you who wants him to read, but teddy says he'd like a book and can he pick one, because he knows what teddy likes.

Get into the habit of reading a book to him every night.

Pick good books. The Usbourne Early readers are fun (Frog on a log, Pig on a dig). If you read to him stop to let him "read" the last word in a sentence, followed by, "yes, d,o,g, dog. Well done". to emphasise to phonics. Then progress onto he reads a sentence, you read a sentence. Then a page, then a book.

These are just suggestions to see if they work. You could just leave it to the school. I had parents who thought this would be best. I struggled in reading and was slow at it through every course I ever took, my spelling is atrocious and I now never read for pleasure.

Longtalljosie · 01/08/2015 08:05

Is your DS at the end of reception or the end of Y1? My DD1 is August born and 5 at the end of year 1 - I think my advice would be if he's going into year 2, persevere but if he's going into year 1, take your foot off the pedal a bit. Maybe see if you can do some colouring with him to encourage comfort with a pen? And stick to reading to him (if he runs off just sit on the sofa reading out loud anyway, wait for him to come to you - and once he is in your lap, follow the words with your finger). The subtitles idea is excellent

JustRichmal · 01/08/2015 21:35

Libraries usually run a reading challenge over the summer holidays, so it may be worth going to your local library to enquire. I think they have to read 6 books and they get stickers and a medal.

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