Calling all primary school teachers - summer reading for year one

mrcow

moomoomama27 wrote: »

I wasn't meaning her academic life! Did you see the documentary?

My perception was that she was living through her child (all the extra cirricular activities etc). I'm not saying this is definate! This is just the way the OP came across to me in the documentary!

I thought the OP came off quite well in the documentary. I didn't think she seemed "pushy". Gaining entry to Oxford University at 16 is a pretty mean feat and if you come from that background then you are naturally going to be looking for similar signs in your children.

I still think a letter to the teacher is a bit of a waste of time and struggle to understand why you'd want to send your child to Kumon when you could so easily do it yourself. It all seems a little prescibed and I would worry that, like with the ORT it would "get in the way" of other kinds off learning or books which may be more suitable by a more child-led approach. As long as that is not happening then fair play to you.

At the risk of tempting the OP to become even more "pushy"........I notice that your daughter does not play any instruments and just wondered if that was an omission from the program? With your mathematics background, you may find she has a bit of a talent for it. I'd be more inclined to pay for music lessons than Kumon lessons, but that's just me.

efrieze

moomoomama27 wrote: »

I have to admit I was shouting at the TV at you! I actually think there's a fine line in giving children great opportunities in life, and then living your dreams through them! I'm afraid I feel you do the latter!

While it's fantastic to put lots of effort into helping your child progress, it puts alot of pressure on them to be the best, you should be happy for them to be the best they can be, it's not a competition, and when you said that I felt so sorry if your children didn't live up or achieve your high expectations!

Learning at this age is best achieved through practical measures, cooking, nature walks, reading and exploring many books, puzzles and educational games that are fun!

Why do you want to push her fast through this stage? Why not trust the school you chose, or move her if you don't think they are dedicated to her educ\tion! They will only be moving at her pace, not yours.

Sorry if I seem harsh, but I work with this age group and I see all the time the kids that are pushed, and seem to know things, but it's only on the surface, they can read well, but don't comprehend what they've read! They are eager to please, but can be withdrawn, because they are under so much pressure!

I agree with you they are like sponges, and the more you can do with her that is learning through experience the better, children need childhoods too! It's not about being THE best, but being THEIR best!

I didn't think that anything I said on the TV warranted shouting at! And I don't think I am living my dreams through them - I am really not like that. I just want them to have the best opportunities in life, the opportunities I had. I do agree that i might stuggle if they don't achieve what I want for them, and I will have to think about how to deal with it.

I will also be considering whether she is in the right school for her, but in London, it's not that easy to just change schools.

My daughter understands much of what she reads because it is the basic Chip and Kipper stuff or Topsy and Tim or whatever. Not rocket science and she asks if she doesn't get it. She often retells me the story the next day in her words - I am amazed by that as she remembers things that I don't!

And I assure you that I want her to be HER best.

efrieze

patchwork_cat wrote: »

I disagree that the OP seems to be living her life vicariously through her DD, she did read Maths at Oxford. As I said she did remind me of 2 friends where both parents went to Oxbridge (and privately educated their children). It may well be OP that your aspirations would be better served by sending your DD to a prep school, as I say if you are waiting for homework I fear you will be in for a long wait!

Thansk for your support. I have consdered the Prep school route but by daughter is VERY happy in her current school and that is very important too.

efrieze

mrcow wrote: »

I thought the OP came off quite well in the documentary. I didn't think she seemed "pushy". Gaining entry to Oxford University at 16 is a pretty mean feat and if you come from that background then you are naturally going to be looking for similar signs in your children.

I still think a letter to the teacher is a bit of a waste of time and struggle to understand why you'd want to send your child to Kumon when you could so easily do it yourself. It all seems a little prescibed and I would worry that, like with the ORT it would "get in the way" of other kinds off learning or books which may be more suitable by a more child-led approach. As long as that is not happening then fair play to you.

At the risk of tempting the OP to become even more "pushy"........I notice that your daughter does not play any instruments and just wondered if that was an omission from the program? With your mathematics background, you may find she has a bit of a talent for it. I'd be more inclined to pay for music lessons than Kumon lessons, but that's just me.

Thanks for the support on the 'pushy mum' bit. The Kumon thing is simple. I am not a teacher, and therefore I don't know an obvious progression on how to improve my daughter's math and english. Also, my daughter is less inclined (not unwilling, but often less inclined) to do thing things that mummy suggests, whereas if she has to do it for Kumon teacher, she willingly does it.

Re the music, I haven't had time to fit it all in. She did tennis, swimming, maths and kumon for 4 days after school. The coming term there is no tennis or swimming, replaced with drama at school and possibly piano lessons at home. She has said she wants to learn piano (we have one at home) and I would love her to, but don't want to overload her with stuff.

As a reminder to those who think I am a tiger mother, the things she does after school are for her enjoyment and I couldn't care less if she is the best or worst at them (she has had swimming lessons for 2.5 years and still can't swim very well!). Likewise, if she didn't want to do it anymore, I would stop them (she didn't love tennis despite her really wanting to do it). She used to go to tap dancing which was lovely but a few weeks of resisting going, we stopped it. I do listen to what she wants, and also hope you don't think she sounds like a spoilt brat in that she likes some things and doesn't like other things. I want her to do some active things becasue I like to promote health and activity.

My attitude is that if she is willing to do these things, and I am willing to pay for them, then she is a very lucky girl and will benefit from it all.

efrieze

patchwork_cat wrote: »

Seriously these days you do need lots of achievements to get into teh best Uni, I do agree that she is doing it a bit early, but unless you have played tennis for county and climbed K2 you don't stand a chance of for example studying medicine!

And it's things like that which make me panic and want to do more with my children!!!!!