Pregnancy & Parenting

Starting School – Have I done enough?

I have fallen into a trap which I swore I never would. I have started to worry that I haven’t taught Boo enough, started to compare his abilities with other children. I’ve started to be anxious that all the other children will know more and he’ll start behind the others and immediately be labelled less-able.

Yes, it shouldn’t happen, but I’m not prepared to risk it. This is another reason why I had seriously considered home education, I want Boo to enjoy learning and it to be part of his development not something he strains against!

A friend turned to me and proudly announced her daughter could write her own name and knew all the phonics, she’s only 3. Boo can write his name, and is fabulous with counting, can tell me the letter alphabetically and is able to read single numbers but phonics?? No, we’ve not done those..

Which makes me wonder what else I’ve not done, and makes me question what we have done! After two days trying to get Boo started with phonics he has pulled a face and said “no Mummy tractor begins with a T not a TUH?” what can I say to that? ‘Yes Boo, you’re quite correct but it sounds like a TUH’ he rolls his eyes and moves away from me, leaving me feeling stupid.

Anyone else wondering how their child will do when they start school and maybe worrying a bit? What are you worrying about the most? 

6 Comments

  • gidders1

    V please do not worry honestly, there will be some children starting who will not know a thing. Miss N didn’t know phonics, and she is amazing at reading and writing. If you are really worried. There is a book that comes with a CD called jolly phonics, which we loved. They do phonics right at the beginning, and to be honest they probably would prefer you not to teach it them just yet, so that it get taught correctly.

  • Mrs Goriami

    Ok 🙂 I’m glad he won’t be the only one, I wondered if I’d missed something vital :O He’s good at identifying shapes and things so.. fingers crossed he’ll do Ok! I will seek out Jolly Phonics just in case! x

  • missielizzie

    Our school uses Jolly Phonics too. I’m in the same boat, but really, lets try not to worry. There will be kids who can do much more and kids that can do much less. It’s life. He’ll be fine. You’ll be fine x