Parent Help

Do you know what phonemes, graphemes and split digraphs are? Come along to learn about the different terminology your child will use to describe the sounds of language and to find out how we use the ‘Letters and Sounds’ 6 phase approach to teach phonics from Reception class through to Year 2. We will learn about the phonics screening tests in Year 1 and share ideas of how you can help at home.

Come along to explore your child’s Guided Reading lessons and how our daily activities develop their ability to read words and sentences as well as understand the text and answer questions about it. You will learn about how we assess reading skills throughout the year and the importance of comprehension skills to help children to make predictions, use different strategies to decode words and explore the meaning of new vocabulary.

For many of our children the world, or certain aspects of it, is overwhelming, complex and scary. From separation and social anxiety to performance anxiety, an increasing number of children now benefit from support to manage their anxieties. This workshop will introduce you to the current thinking around children’s anxiety and ideas to support young people to manage their anxiety more effectively.

Sometimes, when children face challenges like learning a new skill or adjusting to a change in their world, they can become stuck in their thinking and want to give up. Likewise, some children who naturally find things like this easy may limit themselves by feeling they have “done enough” and no longer need to try. Resilience is the ability to ‘bounce back’ when things go wrong and to keep pushing for excellence when we are doing well. Children with good resilience levels are less likely to experience mental health issues like anxiety and depression. By changing the language we use with our children and encouraging them to regard “failures” as just a normal part of their development, we can encourage increased resilience, greater independence and a more positive self-image.

All parents who accept a Reception Class place for their child will be invited to attend one of our Ready For School workshops. It can be an exciting but daunting time when your child starts school – we will provide information and advice about your child’s development and how you can encourage the confidence and independence needed for a successful transition. You will meet other parents whose children will also be starting with us in September and get lots of ideas about fun activities to do with your child to help them prepare.