Please sign this petition, I believe that too much pressure is put on children from a very young age!

[Aeroflotgirl]

www.change.org/p/justine-greening-mp-extend-the-proven-researched-principles-of-quality-early-years-education-for-all-children-up-to-the-age-of-7?recruiter=44384614&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=share_page&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-custom_msg

I just wanted to get this petition out there, as I think it is important. My ds just turned 5 is developmentally delayed and is in the reception at a mainstream school which has an outstanding OFSTEAD. Therefore kids there are put under pressure. This pressure is passed down from the HT, teacher, and onto the children. A few parents have told me that their child has tummy aches before school, and that they don't want to go in.

It is not the children that are the problem, but the education system which expects a lot from very young children, too soon, fine if your child is very academic, but a lot are not and struggle. Why can't government use the Finnish model, they achieve one of the top marks in the world, children start school at 7, the curriculum is totally child focused, and flexible, with hands on exploring learning, instead of whiteboard and writing and traditional methods. They are tested at 16, not 6!

[Aeroflotgirl]

Ds teacher told me last term, he was 4 that he is very behind because he cannot read and write, fgs he is still little, and is learning at his pace. These are skills that are ongoing and improve in time, I was shocked. For the record ds is learning to write his letters well know, after a lot of input from us, and is learning to read and blend, at his own pace! They are applying for an EHCP for him, that's good, some of what they put in the report to his paeditrician was untrue, that he does not give eye contact, and he does not interact with children, and destroys other children's building work. Well in his communication book, his TA has said that he is interacting very well with kids, playing games with them, he is not destroying, and giving very good eye contact. He is learning to write his letters well.

That's exactly what I would expect a 5 year old to be able to do, not write cursive fluently, we did not do cursive until 7 when we learned joined writing. He is a bit behind academically with his peers, and he does have a speech delay which affects his confidence.

Totally this: //ttps://www.change.org/p/justine-greening-mp-extend-the-proven-researched-principles-of-quality-early-years-education-for-all-children-up-to-the-age-of-7?recruiter=44384614&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-reason_msg

[LornaMumsnet]

Hi, OP!

We're just sending this over to our petitions noticeboard.

[Aeroflotgirl]

Thank you

[SansComic]

Why can't government use the Finnish model

Once Finnish children begin their formal education, it's extremely prescriptive - nearly wrote learning.

It's the early part that is fashionably likable for those uneducated in education like to jump on.

Is this thread about being unreasonable and burying your head in the sand about delays noticed in your child? Is it because the TA and the writer of the report disagree and you've chosen to go with the less qualified person because it's easier to stomach or is it because you fundamentally disagree with the education system and read on facebook about an alternative?

[Aeroflotgirl]

Not really I just totally think that this education system is inflexible and quite rigid, and needs a mixture of teaching methods, play based learning, as well as in the class room, to get the best out of children. Yes it is not getting the best out of my ds, who would benefit from a flexibility in mainstream education, even for those who haven't got SN, it is quite pressurised. This petition nearly has its quota if signatiures, so I am not the only one, there is need for radical change, especially at primary level.

[Aeroflotgirl]

Yes I do, I know my child better than anybody else, if they aren't getting the best out of him, what are they doing! No the report was not accurate at all! In his communication book this week, his TA has observed him on a number of occasions giving eye contact, interacting with his peers and sitting down nicely on the carpet. They have just taken on an extra class in foundation and need extra staff, so are eggagerating his difficulties to get funding.i agree with getting him an EHCP, but I want it to be accurate. He was in the school attached nursey last year, they got top up funding for him to have a one to one. My friend who helps at the school noticed his TA working with the other children and not my son.

[Aeroflotgirl]

I have another friend who does work in education, he is a teacher, and has told me that it does happen.