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Original poster

What would you have done differently in primary?

32 replies

NynaevesSister · 18/05/2015 14:22

Now that your kids are in secondary, looking back to the primary years is there anything you would have done differently? Is there anything that you didn't grasp the importance of ath the time? And now they are teenagers it is too late?

I am thinking the later years of primary, around Year 5 and 6.

OP posts:
TheFirstOfHerName · 18/05/2015 23:05

I also discovered after the end of Y7 exams that both of my older two boys had no idea how to approach revision. Although they had done some preparation for SATs, that is not the same as having to revise topic-based subjects or learn MFL vocabulary.

TheFirstOfHerName · 18/05/2015 23:03

due to dyspraxia the organisation, independent homework, own learning and research have never really been sorted in our house.

Yes, these skills are still a work in progress for DS1 (dyspraxic traits) and DS2 (ASD & ADHD) but every bit of practice helps! Grin

ladydepp · 18/05/2015 22:08

I would have made mine do the touch typing course that was offered in Y4. I still might get them to do one but the earlier the better imo.

I was never particularly wrapped up in it but reading levels DO NOT matter unless they are extremely below average. Just read to them, hear them read, let them see you read etc...

Homework in primary is mostly pointless so don't fret about it or let your child fret about it.

Learning to play with lots of other children is v important so have lots of different kids over to play if you can stand it and your DC is happy to do so.

TeenAndTween · 18/05/2015 19:59

re Dyspraxia groups. No idea, sorry. We only got the diagnosis 5 months ago and DD is now already mid-GCSEs.

I also in theory agree with First's list above, though due to dyspraxia the organisation, independent homework, own learning and research have never really been sorted in our house.

TheFirstOfHerName · 18/05/2015 19:15

Things that were useful:
Learning self-organisation.
Being able to tackle homework independently.
Taking responsibility for own learning.
A reasonable typing speed.
The ability to research things on the internet and judge how reliable the information is.
Basic knowledge of Word, Publisher and PowerPoint.

Things that were less useful:
Reading records.
The difference between one sublevel and another in KS2 SATs.

Original poster
NynaevesSister · 18/05/2015 19:06

We had a diagnosis of dyspraxia last year when son was in year 4. That's a really good point about the literacy! I was looking at a tutor for maths not because he is behind (although he is) but because he loves maths a lot. I thought he could do with the confidence boost.

Do you know of any specialist dyspraxia (also dyslexia) groups/tutorials/Saturday or holiday schools?

OP posts:
TeenAndTween · 18/05/2015 17:39

Poor maths only affects Maths and some Science at Secondary.
Inability to write expanded answers affects pretty much every subject.

Therefore if there is any issue with literacy it is more critical to sort that than an issue with maths.

Additionally, but related:

If writing ability is massively mismatched with verbal skills keep pushing until the reason is found. Don't wait until y11 to discover your child has dyspraxia.

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