ok, so this week am going to start helping out at school (primary) - any hints or tips?

[HuwEdwards]

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I have just started helping out this week, so will watch this. What are you going to be doing Huw?

sorry bknickers, just saw this!

am going to be taking small groups of reception children into the library to read to them or doing Computer game in the ICT room she said. What about you?

I've been helping out for a few weeks in dd's reception class. Not sure I have any tips, though. I'm really just trying to work out what's expected of me really and doing whatever the teacher asks me - everything from washing paintpots to counting to ten with small groups. i was supposed to be sharing a book with a small group the other day, but had to take DS (6) home as he was feeling sick . Be interested on others' experiences, though!

My tip would be don't talk about the kids with other mums. There are a couple of helpers in my DDs' year 2 class and they gossip terribly about who is on what level and who behaves badly .

Not suggesting you would do this by the way, but thought I'd mention it .

yes - do NOT talk about kids outside school

I have done this (I'm not a TA in secondary) - my tips would be don't be afraid of asking the teacher for more info if you are not sure, check that you know how they are taught to break down words they don't know so that you use the same method as they are familiar with if they are reading to you & check you know any SEN issues that may be relevent with the tasks you are doing

I wouldn't gossip about the kids, of course, although no-one at our school makes the confidentiality thing clear to you. Do any helpers have to sign any kind of agreement stating what's expected? Much as I'd hate to give school more paperwork, I think I might have found something like that helpful.

I'm a bit of a wuss too when the kids start acting up - not quite sure what to do and prbably end up sounding like Joyce Grenfell

LOL at Joyce Grenfell

be calmer and more patient than you would with your own children

Try really hard not to show any favouritism.
When I was working in preschool (non-qualified helper) it was often the 'naughtier' children who won my heart in the end

(no George. We Don't do thet )

The children in my class (I'm a yr 1 TA) don't tend to play up the parent helpers (just me!) but if you find yourself in a situation where you feel you are losing control just tell the teacher who should then come over and deal with whoever is causing the problem.

As others have said - what you see and conversations that you may overhear are NOT to be repeated in the playground!

If you are working in your child's classroom try to maintain some distance and not help with any work they are doing unless you are working with that group. V. annoying as your child will then have to be assessed on that task at another time.

Try and be pro-active. Teachers find classroom assistants who need to be told every teeny thing a bit of a pain I'm not suggesting you take over but if you see something that needs doing you could offer to do it rather than waiting to be asked. Is that blunt enough

yes, I try to avoid my own dd, poor lamb. but it is nice when I'm asked to work with her group. She does really like me coming in, even so, so that's a big plus for me. She got confused the other day & called me Mrs Mummy.

have to say, when cheesed off in my real job, I used to contemplate training to be a primary school teacher, but I've realised that no way cuold I do the job