Foundation (Prep/Kinder) 2014 Chat

**~ Zarava Flutterby ~** · February 26th, 2014, 06:56 AM

So glad to see everyone is finding a bit of routine, the teachers warned all the prep parents that attitudes and tired kiddies can be the norm so as I sure we were all well prepared.

On the food front I've found DD has settled on her eating a bit at school too, we had a discussion about it yesterday though so hopefully she is back to eating her full lunch box in no time.

DD had pretty much a week off school because of the fires here but the school has been amazing, they organised BBQ's and had interstate firies come in over two days and do things with the kids.
They have offered support if we need it and reassured the kids that everything is ok.

She is loving school and hasn't been too tired or cranky, she does get a bit of an attitude say one night a week and then she's back to her bubbly self.
She enjoys playing with the older kids at school and they all race out to greet her and fight over who saw her first, it's vey cute and I am really pleased with choosing to send her to this tiny little school now, especially after the last couple of weeks, the community spirit is AMAZING there.

Reading is going really well, she has already gone up a reader level (despite a week off) and her teacher thinks she is going to go really well with the levels.
They have also started Study Ladder at school and she can use it at home, she is bored with the levels she is on now but her teacher has said she will watch her in class over the next week or two and then if she feels she will cope she will put her up to the higher level, she wanted to join in and do the grade 1/2 work but it's sequential so she has to do all the base work first... cheeky girl.

She is loving homework and does it the minute she walks in the door and we are going to be making some new sight word flash cards for her to use in correspondence with books she's reading.
She stood up at assembly a couple of weeks back and showed some of her work to the whole school which she was quite excited about.

In all I am very happy with how she is going... she's loving it and that's all I can ask for.

**~Kim~** · February 27th, 2014, 07:29 PM

I'm one of those 2nd time mums and we're all happy to chat to anyone...new mums included

I have also done readers/assisted reading for the last couple of years with small child in tow. Last year dd1s teacher worded them up saying I wouldn't be able to bring Holly back if they fussed too much (like I had a choice lol, I single parent most of the time). She is a friend of mine and perhaps a bit more tolerant, but they became excellent at setting her up something and then slipping away, or taking stuff out of her mouth or removing stuff from her reach. When I did the reading they loved to 'read' to her.
So all that waffle was meant to say was you might be surprised. We have a small community and even the biggest kids know and greet Holly. Ts been as good for her as it has for some of them.

**Lenny** · February 28th, 2014, 08:42 AM

We can't bring younger siblings to school to help out. It's a shame but it makes sense I guess.

All the mums dads and grandparents outside DSs class chat to everyone, 1st time school mums and 2nd and 3rd even. It's just a nice bunch of people who all have a child who they love in that classroom. At least that's the way I look at it.

I had a talk to the teacher about the 'not eating' thing and by the end of the second day he was eating almost 100% of his lunch box. She said its so important that she knows these things because she has subtle ways to help the kids, and they concentrate so much better on a full tummy. DS was suffering from tummy cramps by the time we got home because he had hardly eaten a thing. Love that teacher!!

**Astrid** · February 28th, 2014, 10:36 AM

Smaller school, so most parents are pretty friendly. One has organised a Prep/Foundation mums dinner, which is nice.

DD2 is not eating much during the day, but she seems to be eating a much bigger breakfast, so I do't worry so much. Just wish she would eat more fruit

Going on school council for the next 2 years. Will be interesting to see the inner workings of the school.

**BlackCat** · February 28th, 2014, 02:18 PM

We're one of the smallest schools in town but still feeling on the outter, maybe the mums just don't like me :-P the teachers are all very friendly so at least ds feels at home.

He ran off the other day with hugs and kisses so I take that as a good sign.

**OceanPrincess** · February 28th, 2014, 06:35 PM

I'm slowly getting to know some more mums. I had three ABA friends there plus one kinder mum friend so there's always generally a smiling face somewhere.

Lenny that's a really good idea about mentioning it to the teacher that she isn't eating. I hadn't thought of that!

We had a family fun night tonight. The school was open for viewing for about an hour and then we had an assembly where they welcomed the preps into the school community. BBQ/picnic dinner. Really good fun!

**~ Zarava Flutterby ~** · February 28th, 2014, 09:03 PM

DP took the girls to a welcome BBQ tonight, I had a dinner with friends but he said it went well.

**Arcadia** · March 1st, 2014, 09:25 AM

I have been slack reading this thread so sorry if it's a topic already covered but:

Homework in prep: anyone else find this full on? I think the fact I have a brand new baby has made me pretty blasé about school but I cannot get my head around doing a reader each night. We read stories every day and dd tries to 'read' to her brothers sometimes, but I am not pushing it.

Dd doesn't have any interest in the readers she brings home so they just sit there. I don't feel right pushing her to do anything...she's only just 5!

I am wondering if I'm just slack or should I try harder to get enthusiastic about school type activities at home?

**Olive** · March 1st, 2014, 10:43 AM

At this point, the reader should just be for you to read to her.

**~ Zarava Flutterby ~** · March 1st, 2014, 04:35 PM

At this point, the reader should just be for you to read to her.

I didn't realise this, I thought the idea was for them to 'read' to us (in whatever capacity) and be prompted and helped by us.

DD is really looking forward to starting as a full week next week!

**Olive** · March 1st, 2014, 04:44 PM

There isn't much point if a child can't read though. I'd look through the book and talk about the pictures first, then read the book to her. Engaging a child that way is much better than a child struggling to read itms.
When DD1 was in prep, home readers weren't just about her reading to us, us reading to her just as important.

**feeb** · March 1st, 2014, 04:46 PM

DS1 is reading some of the books. Others I am reading to him then he is memorising and reading back.

I wonder how DS1 will cope with the full week as so tired and emotional.

**Olive** · March 1st, 2014, 04:52 PM

I have been slack reading this thread so sorry if it's a topic already covered but:

. We read stories every day and dd tries to 'read' to her brothers sometimes, but I am not pushing it.

She is reading!!!! That's exactly what she should be doing, interpreting the pictures!! She's doing ace my dear, keep doing what you're doing!
DD loved reading eggs, I credit that with teaching her to read at 4.5, she still loves it at grade 2 but we don't push her either.
Xxx

**Arcadia** · March 1st, 2014, 05:44 PM

Thanks for the reassurance. That helps a lot. I thought she would be more engaged in reading tbh but I'm happy she is setting her own pace.

I keep forgetting to look into reading eggs. I will do it now!!!!! Thanks again

**feeb** · March 1st, 2014, 06:04 PM

Thanks for the reassurance. That helps a lot. I thought she would be more engaged in reading tbh but I'm happy she is setting her own pace.

I keep forgetting to look into reading eggs. I will do it now!!!!! Thanks again

Check with school as we have been told we will soon be getting usernames and passwords for reading eggs and mathletics and something else.

**~ Zarava Flutterby ~** · March 1st, 2014, 06:51 PM

That's ok then DD1 is reading & gone up a level already, we've been lucky I think... DD2 is going to be hard work next year.

Anyone else have Study Ladder? The school is using that at the moment, DD loves it.

**Bella29** · March 1st, 2014, 07:26 PM

We have only had one piece of homework so far, and it is just to bring two pictures if her family and write where everyone was born. Ie what country. And she needs to draw a picture of her family. She can't wait to do it. I just want to sit down with her this weekend and help her. She keeps begging to do it. And she does bring home two books a week from the library, but we arnt expected to read them per say. Also the prep teacher made it clear that homework in prep isn't compulsory. We can take it or leave it.

**Jewel** · March 1st, 2014, 07:37 PM

My boy starts full days on Monday ( he was doing 9 till 2 ) and also will go on the bus to and from school with his big brother (he's 10). I will probably be a be anxious all day at work until I see him in the afternoon. Browning up too fast.

Had our first birthday party with school kindy friends today. Was nice to meet a few of the other parents too. I don't generally see many in the morning or any at pickup due to work (Start at 9 and finish at 2) .

Home readers: he seems interested most of the time which is good. Fingers crossed it stays that way.