Am possibly being precious/PFBish, but hope not...
DS1 started Reception at a lovely school in September, he was 4.6 so right in the middle of the age range (will be 5 later this month). Intake is 2 classes of 30, divided by age, so he is one of the older children in the younger class.
He has taken to school better than I was expecting - he had enjoyed pre-school (2 days per week) but seemed uninterested in the 'Big Steps' programme they ran of simple letter/number recognition etc. He loves reading, is improving all the time, v interested in letters/words etc. So am v pleased with that side of things.
The real issue/concern is his behaviour. At home, he is just SO unbelievably touchy - he bites my/DH's head off, lashes out at his younger brother (2.11), stomps about in a grump much of the time - just seems unhappy/stressed. Moans/cries about going to school every morning, but seems absolutely fine once he is there, and have not had any indications that there are any problems whatsoever from the school's pov.
He was like this before Christmas, took a good week or so for him to snap out of it, then he was pretty much back to normal - i.e. not an angel, but more relaxed, sunnier etc by the end of the holiday. We put it down to tiredness/information overload. Am still thinking this is a factor, but he sleeps well (11.5-12 hours) and we don't push him with reading etc, as think he doesn't need that.
Playground games seem to be quite boisterous, lots of stuff about baddies and killing - but he talks about them with relish, and he is not by any means a shrinking violet. Not a leader/alpha male type, but not a pushover either. But I just wonder if he is finding the whole playground situation stressful? He has friends, playdates etc. But he still seems quite inept at actually playing with other children - so I am worried that he is somehow getting lost/overwhelmed in the playground? But as only a fairly small part of the day is spent in the playground, is this really likely? And wouldn't I have heard something from the school?
I suppose I just want some reassurance that this is normal for boys (or girls) in Reception - that it's quite a tough year for them. Or does anyone think there is real cause for concern? Just feel so for him seeming to be so unhappy.
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DS1 in Reception, so grumpy all the time, bit worried - but normal?
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MogTheForgetfulCat · 03/02/2011 22:05
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