Parent Information

We are learning jolly phonics songs in school as we are learning lots of new sounds each day in phonics, you can find these online. To help your child learn initial sounds you can help at home by finding words which start with different sounds s (e.g. sun) a (e.g. apple) t (e.g. tap) p (e.g. pen) i (e.g. it) n (e.g. nit) m (mad) d (e.g. dog). We also play games such as matching the objects with the correct sound.

When reading with your child, please ask questions about what happened in their book. Please let us know how well your child did at home by writing a comment in their reading diary, so we can give them a new book.

Thank you to the families who were able to bring in a family photo, we have had some great discussions about families, how children have grown and what they’d like to be when they’re older.

Many children do not yet have any wellies and waterproofs. Please could you bring some in for your child to ensure they stay dry when they play outside, this would be much appreciated.

Parent Information

PE is on Fridays. Please ensure your child has their PE in school. We will send it home at the end of each term so it can be washed.
Bookbags need to be in school every day.
Reading books and homework books are collected on a Tuesday. New reading books and homework is given on Thursday.
Children visist the school library on Friday

Here are some useful links which may help to support you to prepare your child for school, help them with their home learning and develop crucial communication and language skills.

Useful information about how to support your child with school readiness. Click here.
Play this fun game it’s all about going to school. Click here.
CBeebies have lots of advice and activities for both children and parents. Click here. They also have a Story Time App
Book Trust is the UK's largest children's reading charity. Click here for lots of advice about reading.
Hungry Little Minds is a fantastic website which was launched by the Department for Education to encourage parents and carers to engage in activities that support their child's early learning and help set them up for school and beyond.
Tiny Happy People helps parents to develop their child's communication skills. It offers simple activities and play ideas to help parents find out about their amazing early development.
Easy Peasy App gives helpful hints and tips for parents to support their child.

At Reedley we instill a love of reading. Please support us by reading regularly at home. Here are some easy ways you can make reading a part of every day:

Don’t worry about how long you read for. Every minute spent reading makes a bigger difference than you realise!
Don’t worry about what your kids are reading: recipes, cereal packets, magazines… It’s all useful! Keep books and other reading materials close by.
Reading to children of all ages is helpful. If your little one isn’t reading by themselves yet, read with them.
Ask lots of questions: Who, what, where, when and why and ask them to summarise when you’ve finished.

Tips on doing jobs or playing with your children – the TRUST approach. Here is a tool to help your child think and talk about the world around them. The TRUST approach can be used when you are talking with your child, such as when you are reading, doing jobs together or playing:

Take turns to talk about what you are going to do. Say things like: “I’m going to wear my red jumper today. What colour jumper would you like to wear”
Recap the plan as you are working. Say things like: “Why do you think that happened?”
Use lots of encouragement. Say things like: “What great ideas… Let’s see what happens!” Share what you know to help your child.
Say things like: “Have you learnt about…at school?”
Tune-in and be interested. Say things like: “I didn’t know you knew so much about…!”

Here are a few tips for how you can support maths learning every day:

Board games like Snakes and Ladders or other games with numbered spaces can be great for maths learning. You can even make your own!
Meals and snack times can be great to teach lots of concepts, like sharing, talking about time, counting how many carrots you have, estimating the number of beans or comparing sizes of potatoes.
Use maths words in conversation and play. This can include talking about size (“Which is bigger?”), order (“Which is first?”), shapes and more.
Stories can be great opportunities for maths learning. One great free resource for maths stories is https://www.mathsthroughstories.org/recommendations.html but you can use other books too!
Use manipulatives like bricks or toys of different sizes or amounts. Measuring items, scales, construction materials, puzzles, sorting and pattern materials are also great sources for discussion! Check out these other resources from the EEF for more helpful tips. Here are some easy steps to help you build a great home learning routine with your child.

Helpful tips for positive behaviour:

Point it out when your child is doing something right and say well done!
Talk with your child about each other’s learning struggles and coping strategies. Don’t be afraid to be open about getting it wrong and trying a different strategy.
No one knows your child as well as you. Speak to your child and trust your judgement about what works for them above any general advice.
Regular routines help support positive behaviour and learning.

Best wishes, Miss Mackenzie (Early Years Foundation Stage Lead)