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snufflepuff
17-08-2011, 08:23 AM
My son started nursery recently, just one short session a week. I have noticed that during circle time the 2 year olds are all expected to be able to recognise their name, recognise numbers to put the date on the board, know their colours and shapes, say what the weather is like etc. They all have to say the correct sound for the first letter of their names/ the day of the week/ the month etc, and the jolly phonics action to go with it. Then at the end they sing the alphabet song!

I can understand the phonics part (although I think the staff are a bit harsh with children who do not readily know all the sounds and actions, considering they are only 2 years old, but that's another issue really) but why the alphabet? Surely they can't be expected to understand both at 2 years old? They won't make the connection between the phonics (ah, buh, cuh etc) and the letters as they are said in the song (a,b,c)?

I was under the impression the alphabet is not taught in that way until towards the end of reception or even later- they get to grips with phonics first. I just think this is all too much for a 2 year old- or potentially younger because they can move the children up from the babyroom a few months early if they need to do so for ratio purposes.

NI MINDER
17-08-2011, 08:31 AM
Ah - why can they not just let them be 2 year olds and learn through play. There is plenty of time for all that once they start P1. Too much pressure not on children to know more and more before they start school. What happened to messing about in the sand tray or water tray. Building a few jigsaws and colouring in.

snufflepuff
17-08-2011, 08:39 AM
Ah - why can they not just let them be 2 year olds and learn through play. There is plenty of time for all that once they start P1. Too much pressure not on children to know more and more before they start school. What happened to messing about in the sand tray or water tray. Building a few jigsaws and colouring in.

Couldn't agree with you more!
My son is 2.5 and is still a baby to me! He can count to 20, can count backwards from 10, he knows many of his colours and shapes, recognises the first letter of his name as well as 'M for Mummy' 'D for Daddy' etc. And I have never set out to 'teach' him any of it, he's just picked it up through play!!! Evidence that the 'sit down and teach' approach is not necessary!

leeloo1
17-08-2011, 01:01 PM
My DS is 2.10 and seems to pick this stuff up really easily - he knows all the phonic sounds and letter names (former learnt through the fab Dr Seuss ABC book, after 4 or 5 reads he was saying the alliterative rhymes with me, after 10 reads - it was his fave bedtime book for a while - he surprised me by recognising the phonemes, latter through singing the ABC song, then pointing to letters as we sang etc). Children need to learn both, far better to introduce the idea of it early. He recognises and can count objects to 20 and sometimes beyond, knows colours, shapes, songs - but he also knows how to run round like a mad thing, use a digger to scoop all the sand out of the sand tray etc :)

If children are ready to learn you almost can't stop them learning, if they aren't ready they shouldn't be forced. Some parents like this style of teaching and some children will thrive on it. If its not for you then you need to vote with your feet. It sounds a lot to expect of children of this age though... I'd assume they were encouraging but not expecting this knowledge IYSWIM.

Maza
17-08-2011, 01:47 PM
As a former Literacy specialist this makes me cross. They should be focusing on language development and fostering a love of books at this age. If anything they should be doing activities from Phase 1 of 'Letters and Sounds' (environmental sounds etc.). I would be speaking to them, but I am a bit of an ogre as far as these things are concerned. Jolly Phonics does not need to begin until Reception.

keeks
17-08-2011, 01:57 PM
As a former Literacy specialist this makes me cross. They should be focusing on language development and fostering a love of books at this age. If anything they should be doing activities from Phase 1 of 'Letters and Sounds' (environmental sounds etc.). I would be speaking to them, but I am a bit of an ogre as far as these things are concerned. Jolly Phonics does not need to begin until Reception.

As a teacher I fully agree. We used the phase 1 letters and sounds at the nursery I worked, that is plenty for such young children.

Shower them with rhymes, songs and books, it will give wonderful results.

Under fives should learn through play!

xx

snufflepuff
17-08-2011, 01:58 PM
If children are ready to learn you almost can't stop them learning, if they aren't ready they shouldn't be forced. Some parents like this style of teaching and some children will thrive on it. If its not for you then you need to vote with your feet. It sounds a lot to expect of children of this age though... I'd assume they were encouraging but not expecting this knowledge IYSWIM.

Oh it absolutely seemed like they were all expected to know it!

snufflepuff
17-08-2011, 02:00 PM
When I worked in a nursery we did start to introduce phonics at 2 years, but very gently and only for those who showed an interest in it. Otherwise it was about stories, singing, rhymes etc. Funnily enough this nursery is owned by the same person- just a different site.