Changes from reception to Y1

[LoveWine123]

Hi all, my child will be starting Y1 next week and I keep hearing about the big change from reception to Y1 in terms of the work (i.e. less play, more work). Those of you that have been through this in the past year, could you share what were the biggest challenges and if your children coped well.

In theory, Reception follow the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) and then in Yr1 they follow the National Curriculum (both searchable on line), but, in practice, most schools will do a 'sliding scale of change), and will, in the Summer Term have been expecting a lot more 'sitting working' from the dc than they did in their Autumn Term, and then the Yr1 teachers will know they have just come up from Reception and will gradually ease them into where they want them to be later in the Year.
IME, most dc and staff are exhausted in the Autumn Term, as it is just too long, even before you add in the excitement of Christmas.

I was nervous as DD had found reception very tiring. However it seemed like Y1 was less tiring for her, I think she actually preferred more structured time. So it all depends on your child whether they find it a big jump or not.

I would lay off too many after school activities or playdates for a few weeks so your DC feels they have time to play, you can always add them in later.

Also remember that Y1 teachers deal with this every year. I'm sure it will be fine. Good suggestion not to plan to do too much after school to begin with, from minipie.

When my daughter went up to Y1 she really didn't notice much difference - it was still all just play for her. I think the main difference was they only had free-flow to the outside in the afternoons rather than all day. But it will be very much a transition managed by the teacher

Mine found Y1 to Y2 a harder jump to cope with to be honest. Depends how the school structures Y1 somewhat though as some go more formal sooner than others.

It is very different or at least it was when dd was there but she's 22 now

She found yr 1 very difficult. She loved the mornings when they did work but just couldn't understand why they had to play in the afternoons. Yr 2 was much better for her when when could work all day.

I think it depends on the school.

Dd1 still had play based learning all the way through yr1 including a lot of outdoor classroom. I think they finally got tables in summer 2! I loved no homework apart from reading! Tbh I'm dreading y3-yr4 as they move upstairs so much reduced outdoor learning!

Friends at other schools went straight from reception to formal learning/sitting at tables etc weekly homework etc. Writing was definitely better than dd's as was sitting still but otherwise limited advantages clearly visible.

There is a significant change in the curriculum expectations between reception and year 1. With reception having much play based learning and observations made to record learning rather than children completing work in books. It can be overwhelming for children as they are used to play based learning however the majority of schools are aware of this and tend to incorporate a lot of concrete learning into year 1 and build up their learning resilience and stamina over the year.
You can support your child by recapping in their learning in concrete ways at home, have them count their toys, have small groups of things to add together take one or two away can they spot the difference? Have them find objects around the house that begin with the phonic sound they are working on, can they spell the objects? Read, read, read everyday: talk about their books the events and the characters feelings.
Repeating and revisiting learning is key to building confidence and helping them cope.

My DD was well into reading by the end of YR and certainly had not spent the year playing. All activities were carefully set up for learning and she did. Therefore y1 transition was very easy. Depends on the school and the child but it isn’t necessarily a big jump.

You know what your DC is like but reading to DC is vital. If he is used to playing then I’m sure the school will have a tried and tested method for transition.

I never had exhausted DC either. They didn’t play in y1 but there was Art, sport, drama and music. So plenty of fun!