Being the organised over-anxious and stressed out woman that I am; it's hardly surprising that when a letter arrived from my son and daughter's school that my children would be tested on their literacy and numeracy skills when the new school year commences, it sent me into a mild state of panic.
It is a constant source of mystification to me how I take these things so personally. Part of it is my perception that in a way, they are testing me. Do I measure up as a parent? Do I make the grade? Equally, I want my children NOT to find testing stressful. I want them to see it as a opportunity to show what they know, not to see it as a way to showcase their shortcomings. I've spent many times over the years soothing stressed out students before exams, so I know the reality of the pressures of tests.
So whilst I can't save them from the testing, I do try to support them in preparing for it.
And I wanted to show you something interesting.
Context: my eldest son is not a keen writer or reader. He struggled HUGELY with letter recognition and I did a great deal of work with him at home on this. Homework has been a struggle for him. He writes the absolute minimum he can.
So these were the obstacles I faced when working on how to best prepare him.
I told him and his sister that during January we would have "special school" at home each day. I told them they would have special colour charts. They think the stickers are nice. I know they mark their progression through the levels and it gives me a clear indication of where and when I need to spend more time clarifying things for them, or if we can whizz through something. And the MAXIMUM time we spend is 30 minutes. The funny thing is while they were keen for us to start "special school" it's now such an integral part of their day there would be a riot if I tried to drop it.
We start with a reader, and I ask them questions throughout the text or we talk about things that they are curious about. Then we have "writing" time. Miss Medium focuses on her letters and basic word recognition. Mr Large started on his first day writing this:
by yesterday he happily wrote this:
Regardless of the errors littered throughout it, what was wonderful how he didn't want to stop writing. I think finally saw it as a way of recounting things in a meaningful way.
Just like I find blogging does for me. Except that I spell slightly better.
Please note I edited the writing to remove all name references in order to protect the privacy of my offspring and his friends!
And that's how I approach it day by day. Just a little piece of reading and a little piece of writing. Looking at the big picture can be intimidating. But this way, I'm doing my best, and they are doing their best in a loving, safe and supportive environment. When they do their tests I'll know I did my utmost to prepare them and really, that's all I ask of them, that they do their best.
Seems fair enough, doesn't it?
