DD has just started Reception but want her moved up to YR 1!

[rinol]

She's the oldest in reception being 5 already and is sooooooo bored!Would the school move her up?!or is this asking too much!I know its early days but she's so disillusioned!what do i do?

[morningpaper]

Yes smee I think you are right

I built 'school' up too much for DD so she was expecting lots of learning

and had read too many Enid Blyton books so was hoping for some sort of dormitory

[Wheelybug]

My dd has academically done all the things they should have done by the time they leave reception (Is January born) and FWIW I know she's by no means the only one in her class to be like this.

But, although part of me is worried about this she's having a great time so far as she's meeting new people, playing, doing PE (her favourite thing), doing little projects (we had a photography one last week) and I'm just hoping/expecting the teachers will sort those who could do more stuff and guide them as necessary.

I think its a bit too early to be up in arms about it.

[saadia]

My ds2 was bored in Receoption. His teacher even said that he would be happier when he moved to Year 1 as he was more mature than most of the class and was keen to do more challenging work (he's really excited by the prospect of spelling tests).

But, I still would not have wanted to move him up a year early as he needed that year to adjust to the whole routine of school and become more emotionally settled.

[1dilemma]

B9(**&^%s mrz
would you care to produce some evidence of that or is that just your prejudice speaking.

(dc is frustrated because the focus of attention seems to be on sitting nicely this week dc has been sitting nicely for years and attended a VERY good nursery where they were eg setting up a cafe (taking orders making food etc) all child led so of course they are confused that now big school seems to be all about sitting nicely and to add insult to injury despite finely honed sitting skills can't undrstand why the stickers for good sitting go to others (who perhaps don't sit so well!)

[preciouslillywhite]

I think you'd have to work at it to be bored in Reception tbh. There's (or there should be, if they're following the EYFS) loads of stuff going on. Sitting in on a couple of classes I found it really full on.

Why don't you offer to spy help for a couple of sessions? Then you can check it out first hand...

[1dilemma]

sounds great wheely unfortunately our school is focussing on sitting

some kids are just like that

we have to wait around one day a week so I turned up with the little maths book poking out of my bag for something to do in the cafe

was greated by an embarrasing yell of 'great homework I love homework' we didn't use the book went to play wiht someone instead but even I was surprised by the enthusiasm for 'homework'

It will change

[pofacedandproud]

Ds is also in this position, just turned 5. All his friends are in year 1, he is reading fluently [though probably same standard as others in reception in writing and drawing] and they just play in reception. He seems noticeably older and taller than the others.I asked if they would move him up and they said they never do. Difficult when they fall between two years.

[MadBadandCoveredinSequins]

It is far too soon to be contemplating moving a child out of YR after, what, three weeks. And has been said, missing YR would mean missing a lot of the groundwork on which later years are based. That's why it's called the foundation stage. I'll eat my sequinned hat if the school agree to it.

If she really is bored, enrol her in rainbows, ballet, judo or whatever else she might enjoy.

[Wandaaa]

DD is bored in year 1, not because she can/can't do the work but she misses the free time to draw (she did learn to read and write)perhaps I will ask school to put her back into reception or art college

[preciouslillywhite]

My daughters were no slouches and the oldest in their reception class. But you would be amazed at what they cover and how much the kids blossom (sniff) in just that one year- socially, creatively, learning...ly

Y1 however looks a lot more "boring", imo.

[Ponders]

It is possible for an autumn-born child to skip a year but face it, the school won't decide to do it in September.

One of the cleverest kids I know (Feb birthday, Cambridge place at 17) went from Y1 to Y2 & at this age (ie 5-ish) I think that's the best you can hope for (if indeed it is best )

They need the year in Reception to learn how to do as they're told/muck in/settle down/wipe their bums/change for PE/get along with everybody else etc etc.

[lilmissmummy]

My DD went to an excellent nursery and can read and write pretty well. She started school this September and yes there are days when she comes home and says she did nothing and it was boring. So I was a little concerned and spoke to her teacher and her teacher told me all the things that they have been doing and how DD is getting on.

Now I ask her questions based on what her teacher says she is doing that week and she is much more animated and hasnt mentioned the B word since.

I think they are being broken in slowly as there will be some children who have never left their parents or even seen any children before (maybe an exaggeration but who knows!)

I LOVE the spying idea!!!! Might offer to help!

[Hulababy]

I am often suprised to read about children being bored in reception.

There is so much going on in the reception classes where I work (I am in Y1 though). The whole place is buzzing with activity for children to chose from.

They can use the role pay areas, the creative areas, writing tables, reading corners, outdoor areas.....so much.

It is very child led and the children chose most of their activities, with teaching staff guiding them, and ensuring very child does a variety of things.

I have known some very bright children go through reception and be perfectly happy. They have particularly enjoyed the independence that this kind of structure brings with it.

In every part of the day there are always opportunities for reading, writing and numeracy - and it is so child led that their are numerous chances for work to go as far ahead as the individual child requires.

There really is absolutely no reason for a child to be bored in Reception, not if it is being run well.

[francagoestohollywood]

I loved taking ds to his reception class. They had lovely corners with different things to do and play with. I would have stayed there the whole day myself.

[Blu]

DS consistently reported that they had done 'nothing' and that it was 'boring' throughout Reception. Whereas he accomplished millions of projects, was as busy as a bee, learned loads, had a great time making friends etc etc.

Sometimes they are just bored with TALKING about it.

Talk to the teacher.

[Heated]

Rinol, it's only a few weeks into term. You need to give them more time to assess your dd and to give her differentiated work. There is usually a parents meeting in the first term where teachers can give an indication of ability and behaviour and you can ask questions.

DS1 is ahead of his peers academically for numeracy & literacy but has had a lot to learn socially & in other subjects. I certainly would not have wanted him to skip reception as that is where the foundation stone for all that follows is put in place. After that first half term, he did small group work with yr 1 and some yr 2 so no indication they were letting him 'coast' but were in fact meeting all his needs - social and academic - very well.

[showmethewaytothenextwhiskybar]

why can't teachers accept that there are some children who will find some aspects of reception/yr1/yr2 boring?

There could be all kinds of reasons and not all of them will be the child being 'defective' in some way (yes, I know I'm putting words into your mouths, but that's how it comes across when you mutter about social skills etc)

Some of them can read, so learning about the letter p for a week can be dull, no matter how much the teacher tries to make it all-singing, all-dancing. Some can add and subtract large numbers already so are going to be less than enthused about adding or taking away 1 from a number. Some will have older siblings who've told them all about what they do at school so their expectations will be awry. Some will have been at nursery/playgroup where they've already done loads of work on sharing, turn-taking, being part of a group, lining up etc Some will have been doing all sorts of extra curricular activities so getting changed for PE will pose no difficulties when they've already mastered putting on tights and leotards for instance.

No-one would expect every single baby to thrive under a one-size-fits-all routine (well, some people do, but we all know they're not very sensible ), no-one expects every single adult to go into the same kind of career, as we accept that we're all individuals with our own strengths and weaknesses. But somehow teachers seem to expect every single 4 and 5 year old to love every minute of the day in reception and y1 and apparently take it as a personal affront if some of them dare to say they're bored ...

[mamusia]

I think rinol you might do best if you actually ask teacher how is DD doing. I found that my DS was telling us all sorts of stories about school but all he really rememberd was like last ten minutes of the day or one insignificant part of it (usualy sth not very nice). So we thought for a long time that he had no friends when in fact he was very popular and played with everyone - ocasionally some kid would not want to join in his game and DS would tell me after school that nobody was playing with him.

[staroftheweek]

When I was at school 'I'm bored' was always answered with 'only boring people get bored'.

Hugely irritating at the time to all of us, but I kind of agree now.

[mamusia]

sorry mistake

[mamusia]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/primary/830366-Reception-Teachers-a-query-for-you - similar post

[RustyBear]

If she does get moved up, what's going to happen when she gets to the end of year 6? - secondary school may well not take her a year early, so she'd have to repeat a year at primary.

[happywomble]

My DD learned most phonics and to blend and read basic words at pre-school. They haven't done any phonics or counting or anything at school and it appears they won't for several weeks. If it is meant to be child led the children who want to read and write should be allowed to do so. There would still be plenty of time for play as well.