Teacher says STOP READING with your child!
My eldest is in Reception and is currently learning how to read. He is really enjoying it and keeps asking for more books to read. I asked the teacher for a bit of extra work but she said that she cannot give out any more books until it is the right “time”.
As a result, and in order to encourage his new found enthusiasm for reading, I happily went out and bought some more books from the same reading scheme that the school uses. The teacher has now told me to stop reading these books with him at home!
I find the teacher’s attitude breathtaking. If my eldest is eager to learn then I think he should be supported and not held back because it is inconvenient for the class teacher.
However, not everyone shares my point of view. I have spoken to several parents about this and many think that the teacher has a valid point. If I read with my child at home then she will find it more difficult to assess his development. The parents I have spoken to have suggested that rather than follow the same phonics course that the school uses to go to the local library and choose some different books to read with my child.
Watch this space to find out what happens next!
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March 7th, 2007 at 5:26 pm
I think you have every right to teach YOUR kid whatever you like.
The parent had overiding decision on everything, if you want to encourage his reading then that’s your prerogative.
I sort of agree with the different book thing but only from the point that you kid will have to read the same books over and that could be a bit dull.
March 8th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
I get what the teacher is saying, although the teacher should have pitched it with more empathy and intelligence. I’m sure it’s fine to let your kid read books, just not that specific line of books. (I mean, maybe I’m wrong here, but that’s what it seems like to me)…
On a similar note:
I’m a big fan of the book Freakonomics. It is filled with heavy, mind-blowing statistics, one of which says that reading to your kid doesn’t improve their test scores, but that having a lot of books around the house does improve test scores. So that’s what we did with our kids, no reading to them. Instead, we did improvisational comedy and word games, or had them read to us (and then discuss). We also have a house overflowing with books. And now we have two kids who have an average GPA of 3.85 or so. Food for thought.
March 30th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
It’s great that your son has so much enthusuasm to read. I have a three-year-old who loves being read to, and I think it’s something to encourage.
Maybe the teacher can assess your son on those particular books, but what would be the harm in using a different set of books?
March 30th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
It all worked out for the best. The teacher agreed to send home extra books from a different reading scheme. This has worked out brilliantly because my son’s reading has gone from strength to strength and he can now read any book that takes his fancy