Think DD is getting bored in Reception. Any tips?

[FuntoLearn]

DD (5) is quite bright and is reading ahead of others in her class. She is also writing all the time at home. Just got back from a phonics session at school and I can tell she is bored. When the teacher asks a question she puts her hand up every time but NEVER gets picked. Today she spent the whole time in the loo. (???)

Teacher has told me at Parents evening that she doesnt always listen and can sometimes be a bit bossy. I have talked to her about this and she is trying hard to listen better but I suspect she is bored.

Any advice?

My DS is almost as bright as Reality's , and he got very bored in year R. I think you just have to bear with it and try to engage her more at home. Year 1 is much more challenging and DS loves school now. DS was labelled as a day dreamer but it was purely because he found it all too easy. He used to complian that they did too much playing and not enough learning.

Completely agree that Reception is play based and I know she really enjoys it and has some nice friends to play with. Although at the end of the day when I ask her what she has done, its either "can't remember" or "nothing"

It would be great if there was some reading/writing in class that was a challenge for her.

I suppose this will come in time?

Teacher has also said she is a day dreamer.
We do loads of stuff at home which is great.
Sounds like Yr1 will be much better for her.

I've thought about this a lot, as DS doesn't seem to do much other than play either, and a lot of other parents worry about it at his school. But DS is learning loads - he says he does nothing and then trips out with lots of bright things when I'm least expecting it. I think school is so different to when we went, and the trick is to see that the playing/ socialising/ being with others is just as important. As is being part of a group, which it sounds like she sometimes struggles with. Yes it might be because she's bored, but equally it might just be her working out that she's not the most important person in the room - which let's face it is something we all have to learn and will stand her in good stead. It's so hard this parenting stuff. I think we all worry..

It may be that she doesn't particulary enjoy working as part of a group. Ds has always been a very outgoing boy and enjoys playing with a group of friends but when it comes to learning he doesn't enjoy being in a group. We were told that ds gets quite irritated and distracted when doing phonics or number work in a group but when left to his devices or working one to one with a teacher he is very very focused.

I can remember being exactly the same I detested group work at school the other children really annoyed me with their fidgeting and silliness. Unfortunately it is something that they have to get used to as group work will continue to play a part throughout their education.

I sometimes help out in Reception and I watch her with the other children. She seems to play well with them and gets very involved in group work.

This morning she asked me... If "Teacher" doesnt pick me today at Phonics, shall I ask her why?

My DS used to ask his teacher why he didn't get a sticker when he had clearly done excellent work. They get merit badges when they have collected six stickers for good work. He always does really well so the teachers seem to think he doesn't need the encouragement as much as the children who don't always get everything correct. I have explained this to him and he does understand, but he's 5.5, he needs rewarding too. Maybe that is why she's never picked, like Reality's DS, they know she knows the answers!

Oh that is a shame. Maybe they aren't picking her because they can see that she is more able so are allowing other children to have an opportunity to answer. If that is the case I don't think they are handling the situation correctly, they should put your daughter into a group with children of her ability so she can be stretched more and is not obviously ahead of her peers.

I don't know exactly how it works at ds's school but I think that they are probably split into groups according to ability. Some of the older children are becoming fluent in reading and yet some of the younger children do not yet know all of their letter sounds, a mixed group for phonic work would be quite tricky I should imagine.

It does no good to praise a child for things that they do not have to try to do, what's the point? Well done for breathing little John???

Thanks for all the responses everyone.

The class has been split into 5/6 groups for ability and I know she is in the top group, which is great. They split into the group for activities probably once/twice a day.

The phonics session is for introducing new Jolly Phonic sounds and this is set up for the whole class - so 30 kids together. And as you say ForeverOptimistic, tricky to split.

Good point re not getting picked Martha, she definitely knows the answers

I do see what you mean DI but just because DS does well does not mean that it is effortless for him. Plus, I feel that if you do not praise a child that is doing well, then they won't be inspired to continue to push themselves. I was never praised for anything by my parents for the reason you give, which meant that I didn't bother trying as I could get by without working hard. I got good GCSEs, average A-levels and a good degree. If I had been praised for my achievements I think I would probably have worked harder rather than cruise through my education. DS has already started to ask why he should bother trying to do his best when her nevers gets any recognition for it.