Summer born children seem really behind?

[Shouldnthavedoneitthen]

So everyone in DS’s class now has their work online for all parents to see so I’ve had a look (yes maybe I shouldn’t have but It’s a boring life at the moment)

I’m shocked to find that all of the kids doing really well are the ones who had birthdays in September/October time and the least well are those yet to turn 6. (Year 1)

Of course this makes perfect sense, the older kids have had nearly an extra year of life to learn things than the youngest but it is plainly obvious... maybe ds’s class is an anomaly but is this the case in most schools? Do the younger ones ever catch up? How is this fair on them?

I feel sad, DS is a late August birthday. I knew his writing and reading needed improvement but the difference is shocking...

@Neolara yes for a while I just though perhaps DS was too young against his peers and seemed like the distracted, busy child because cognitively he was 12 months behind his peers so when he was 3 and in school (Wales) I thought well yes he's just turned 3 he is a busy 3 year old compared to his older peer group because 3 weeks ago he was 2 and a busy toddler. But as the months and years went on and the clinical symptoms started to be more apparent, we discovered it wasn't just him being cognitively younger, he genuinely had ADHD. I mean I am not overly concerned about it, it just means its harder work for me, but I'll take it on the chin, he seems happy enough. I just had to alter my expectations that he wasn't going to sit quietly and draw for more than 5 minutes, activities need to be very hands on and wear trainers not heels anymore when going anywhere! Child is like Usain bolt and the fidgeting, the constant fidgeting I can't sit not he sofa next to him for very long, drives me barmy the kicking and wiggling.

My dd1 is August born but shes always been on a par with her peers, it's never academically held her back. But emotionally it has, she struggles with friendships and maturity wise is behind. She does have a diagnosis of autism within the last year and shs 17 now so that probably doesn't help tbh.

My other two are may born. Ones where she should be but dd3 is struggling with school

I know this is years later but, thank you, I needed to read this today.

I see that I posted on this 4 years ago so can give a further update - my July born DD has just finished year 7 at is exceeding requirements in all but one subject and predicted 7-9’s in her GCSE’s.

She has really flourished this year, and looking back it was about year 4 she caught up with the older children and sorted out her English/handwriting. She had extra help at maths and then that clicked in probably year 5. I wish that I didn’t worry so much at the time, but then that’s very difficult to do with your first. I’m much more chilled with DC2!