Is your baby playing with its toes yet?

[alex]

I thought some UK mums might be interested to read this article in today's Guardian:

http://education.guardian.co.uk/earl...033356,00.html

I don't see much wrong with monitoring children's development, although I'm not convinced that this is really the business of central government, but I was particularly interested by this paragraph:

When children enter compulsory schooling, they should be able to read simple sentences using a phonics-based approach, count reliably up to 10 and sing simple songs from memory, as well as respecting others' beliefs and learning to share and take turns.

As a person without children, I'm perhaps a bit confused. Why should children be able to read BEFORE starting school, I thought that was what school was for? And as for respecting others' beliefs... many adults can't/won't do that, is it realistic to expect 4-5 year olds to? And how exactly will this be measured??!

Hmmm....

Alex

[naomi123]

I could read before I started school.

A couple of weeks ago, I was doing some work experience in a reception class of a primary school. The thing that AMAZED me was the wide range of abililty within the class. Some of the 5 year olds couldnt read a single word and others could read whole books in minutes flat.

I think enouraging children to read is a good thing and I already read books to my daughter (although she tried to eat them!)

The thing about monitoring development is that it only causes parents to worry. All children get there in the end (and if there is a problem I am of the opinion it is usually pretty obvious)

[Eva37]

hi
i agree with naomi, every child is different - and develops at their own time the school my son goes to is multi-cultural (there are 30 different languages spoken there), so they all learn about each others culture/ways . thanks for sharing the info.
eva

[alex]

I could read before I started school.

A couple of weeks ago, I was doing some work experience in a reception class of a primary school. The thing that AMAZED me was the wide range of abililty within the class. Some of the 5 year olds couldnt read a single word and others could read whole books in minutes flat.

I think enouraging children to read is a good thing and I already read books to my daughter (although she tried to eat them!)

The thing about monitoring development is that it only causes parents to worry. All children get there in the end (and if there is a problem I am of the opinion it is usually pretty obvious)

Oh, don't get me wrong Naomi, I absolutely agree with you. I always loved books and I think encouraging a love of reading is so important. Some kids are ready to read before school... I was one of them too. But not all are, and I don't think they should necessarily 'have' to read before school. In some countries, for example in Scandinavia, children aren't taught to read formally before they are six, but they quickly catch up and even overtake those taught much earlier.

Eva, your son's school sounds really interesting.

Alex

[Gems23]

Alex, just off topic, do you live in Andover?, i recognise you and think i used to work with you.

Gem x

[Eva37]

hi
yes, the school is really great!!
eva

[alex]

Alex, just off topic, do you live in Andover?, i recognise you and think i used to work with you.

Gem x

Hm, don't think so? I live in the North-East. Where is Andover (sorry?)

Alex

[*Shellie_Star*]

Thanks for the article


Maybe I am a snob but I'd be embarassed if my child was school age, had nothing wrong with him and couldn't do those basic things. It does truely amazes me that some parents send their children to school not being able to do basic reading and counting, it maybe even disgusts me! I do feel quite strongly that parents should teach simple things like these from an early age, why would you not? I find it a bit weird.


Gem23/Alex - small world!!

[alex]

Shellie,

I agree that there are some things that children should be able to do before they start school... I read that some schools have problems because the children arrive unable to dress themselves, use a knife and fork, respond to simple instructions, etc.

I'm still not totally convinced about reading because when I read about teaching methods, like phonics, its all about the sounds, not just memorising words. I'm not sure I'd know how to teach that, you know? But of course, reading to and with your child is very important.

Alex

[paddy]

Be warned....this is something I feel quite strongly about.

Children should be allowed to be children. They have plenty of time in their lives to be pressurised to achieve both academically and professionally. And in today's society they don't need pressure applied when it's unnecessary.

It starts almost from birth 'Is your baby latching to the breast well?', 'Is your baby making sounds yet?', 'How many words can she say now?', 'Is she walking?', 'How many vegetables will she eat?'...the list goes on. All of these things are monitored from such an early age and the pressure to achieve in these areas already exisits....in society, not in my house!

Don't get me wrong, I believe learning and developing all of those skills is incredibly important. However, we use a relaxed, fun, interactive, creative approach and we don't 'coach' her to do things. She develops at her own pace and ability and we are accepting of that.

Books are a huge part of our lives. Play in our house includes colours, shapes, letters, numbers, counting, songs, nursery rhymes, repeating games, picture matching, art and craft, dance, high energy/physical play, outdoor stuff etc...we aim to cover lots of things and we aim to teach her lots of things, but in a non-pressurised way so that she develops a real love for learning. For us it's about creating fun opportunities for her to learn at her own pace.

So would I be worried or upset or disgusted if she couldn't read and write by the time she started school....NO! As a pp said - they all get there in the end, they just take different journeys to get there. In my opinion, our job as parents is to support them in that journey and encourage them along the way.

[alex]

Paddy, I agree with every word!

Alex

[Gems23]

Alex-How bizarre, you have a double here in the South then, with the same name.

x

[alex]

With the same name? Ooh, ok, that is weird...

[yukabee]

This is to lighten the mood.

My DBF couldnt read, write his name or hold pencil when he first went to school. He has a masters degree and a job in investment banking. But it doesnt stop me grabbing pens and screaming "whats this, I dont know how to use it!" and wetting my pants taking the mickey out of him.

I learned to read from my dad reading to me, I read to my mom(because i was three and naughty and daddy was away i said you dont read good in english to my mom, shes japanese, and snatched the book off her) my mom decided i was faking it and went to school to ask my teacher. The teacher said everyone can read now dont worry its normal.

And as for phonics its gotta be the only real method that works. You sound out words
so cat would be k-a-tuh you learn the sounds all the letters make and some combinations like ch or sh etc. I still sound out really long words (I study science and dude the words are long and sound funny). This way when you come to a new word u can sound it out rather rely on memorising it. I would have to say my friend runs a private nursery and the kids write stories at age 4 and they learn letters and stuff totally out of order (in the order easiest to write) and they have a letter of the week like learning the sounds of the letter and making food that starts with it etc So a combo of new and old teaching technology.

So in a big long conclusion there are some amazing advances in teaching but the kids who sit there eating paste will be fine too. Look at john he almost has the whole pencil thing down and hes 29.

[naomi123]

Just bumping to boost my post count as seems to be the done thing here.