Reading at school
14 02 2007On Monday, I did reading at school for the first time. Basically it involved going through readers with 14 prep kids. It was fun, and something I plan to do regularly :) The sad thing is there aren’t enough parents around who can help out at school - many work, or they don’t speak much English, so the teachers can’t do a roster - they take who they can get! At the open day last year, when I asked about parental involvement, they almost jumped on me they were so excited that I had brought it up! This is one of the best things about working for myself - I have the flexibility to do this.
I had Z with me, but he played happily with the trains while I was reading with the preps, and had a great time. So much so, he didn’t want to go home! He likes school. Knowing he can entertain himself while I do reading means I can do reading on a day when he’s not in daycare - so it doesn’t cut in to my child free work time 
Any parents out there with prep kids, I recommend you make time to help out at your child’s school, especially with reading. It’s a lot of fun, and the kids and teachers appreciate it. I’m already hearing "When are you helping again Mummy" from N - he wants me there every day 
I used to love it when my mum came in to help at my school.
I did a kindy pick up of my nephew today - I have never seen so many kids in one place! And I have him overnight so tomorrow I have to pack him lunch and get him in his uniform and have him there before 9:08 so that he doesn’t have to suffer the humiliation of a late note - gosh, it’s more work than I thought!!
I did reading again today & N didn’t want me to go! Z didn’t want to go either… makes things hard, but that’s reality
The teacher was more than happy to accept my offer of helping with reading today.
It’s great fun isn’t it. It is really sad that there is not enough parent help. Although our school has a great supportive community I am sure they would still welcome more support. One teacher at my children’s school put in in perspective once though - she said that for many reasons parents don’t help - they may have had a bad school life, feel intimidated (and when I hear the language they use, the teacher’s that is, I can completely understand - please tell me I am not alone in not knowing what a grapheme is), feel they don’t have the skills. So I say well done Melissa, and if Z is anything like my youngest starting school will be a breeze, they are so used to it alaready.
You’re not alone - I have no idea what a grapheme is either!