What would you write in a 'special information about me' section?

[AintNobodyHereButUsChickens]

DS is 3, he starts nursery tomorrow and he is very excited! At his taster session we were given a little 'All about me' booklet to fill out, you know the kind of stuff like 'My name is X, I am Y years old, my favourite book is Z, my favourite nursery rhyme is A' etc etc. But one of the sections is titled 'Special information about me' and I'm a bit stumped as to what that means, my friend suggested it was for allergies or any SN but there was a big box for that on the form we filled out back in July, and an 'All about me' book seems an odd place to put that kind of information in

What would you put?

Honestly, I'd just leave it blank

If it's the kind of thing for a display on the wall, something lighthearted about his interests. Otherwise, no idea

Ask him what he'd like to tell them (you can explain it's his words if it's something odd!)

It depends what else is in the book but my guess would be: Favourite toys/games/colours; special people in his family/friends/pets; things that cheer him up if he's sad or things he prefers to avoid- doesn't have to be major just if he doesn't like messy play or balloons in case they pop. Any recent changes e.g. moved house recently or new baby in the family. A special holiday or memory/favourite place. Anything that isn't already covered that he likes to talk about or do so they can engage him and help him settle in.

If there are allergies or SEN I would put in a reminder just in case!

Maybe something like any favourite things he has that aren't covered by the other categories? Like I might put that my DS loves doors, barriers, anything that opens and closes.

Also possibly if you speak a different language at home or something like that.

Anything he is particularly anxious about - dogs? Loud noises?

I agree with @Badnessinthefolds. I don't have kids but distinctly remember that nursery school was the first place where I encountered the struggle of having my favourite teddy taken off me and put in a box for the day. They definitely would have needed to know about that teddy in an emotional emergency

It's likely to give the staff a starting point to try and connect with him so they aren't stabbing wildly in the dark. So put anything in there that you think might be useful that wasn't covered in the rest.

@undetetected

Honestly, I'd just leave it blank

If it's the kind of thing for a display on the wall, something lighthearted about his interests. Otherwise, no idea

I'm not really sure what they're doing with them. I guess it's to help staff get to know them a little better?

The sections are-
A photo of me
My name is/I am X years old
A photo of my family
Who lives at home with me
Special information about me ( )
My favourite thing to do at home
My favourite toy
My favourite nursery rhymes
My favourite TV show
What makes me happy

So I'm not entirely sure what else I could add to that, that they would need to know?!

Could be significant other people in his life, favourite place to visit, specific likes/dislikes, favourite foods, pets, 'I want to be xxx when I grow up'.
Doesn't sound as if there's a right or wrong answer more a tool for getting to know dc.

Having worked in nurseries I'd say put in there anything you and DS think they'd find helpful. The other questions are closed so only one word answers/only one answer expected but children are not that clear cut.

So, for example, my 18mth old's favorite toy is his train set and his favorite thing to do at home is play with stickers but in the Special Information section I might write that he communicates a lot through gestures and that he loves to smell things. Mostly flowers and the spices in the cupboard but anything new and interesting is sniffed. If he points at something and then his nose then he wants to smell it.

For other children it could be that they're new to the area or they spend lots of time with grandparents or they have just got home from a holiday. Anything that might explain some quirks or different topics of conversation.

The nursery staff really won't mind what you write though because they will talk to you about anything that needs clarifying anyway!

Could be things like will scream when sees a balloon or clown or dogs. Hates getting hands messy. Or maybe any other family situation baby due, mum dad just split up, grannies dying, just moved house misses old friends.

I'd guess anything you want to add! Special interests maybe or anything they dont like like spiders or loud noises. Maybe something theyre really good at like, I like to help my friends when theyre sad / I love trying new foods or something that helps them such as sometimes i like to have quiet time alone if i feel upset . Im a teacher but it was useful to know one wee boy was scared of sharks because a few others love sharks and wanted pictures on the smartboard to copy so from reading his all about me form I knew not to expose him to that and just got some books for them instead. (A week in he got the passion from his new friends and LOVES sharks now!)

@Akire

Could be things like will scream when sees a balloon or clown or dogs. Hates getting hands messy. Or maybe any other family situation baby due, mum dad just split up, grannies dying, just moved house misses old friends.

I would use it exactly like that. Things that scare/worry him, things that comfort/soothe him etc.

Could be to write about siblings etc who don't live in the home.
Could include info like recent births/deaths that may have affected them.
Any allergies.
Anything they're scared of.
If they have any special routines.

In that section with a similarly aged child is use it as an opportunity to say things like

'Is toilet trained but might need reminding in afternoon if very busy/engrossed in playing'

'Is scared of lorries'

Needs to take X medication

'Likes to put own wellies on'

That is the section I included the assistance of: if I'm upset toy cars comfort me, and if all else fails I will do anything for a biscuit

Really hot and sweaty child only wears coat in depth of winter yet under duress.

Will wait till very last minute to go for wee so please allow him on first time of asking even if in middle of story time or activity.

Has been known give friend haircut watch like hawk with scissors

We always used to put down that DS1 was left handed! It really helped when he joined reception, they made sure he was put in a position on the table to be able to spread out properly to write.

Thanks all this is really helpful! Especially about toilet reminders, he's had a few accidents this week from being too engrossed in what he was doing. He also adores washing his hands, I should probably warn them otherwise they'll be out of soap by the end of the day...

Also I did kind of fib a little bit on his favourite nursery rhyme, he's not so bothered by them but his favourite song is Bad Habits by Ed Sheeran, he's actually started singing along to it when it comes on the radio

I just put 5 Little Monkeys because it's one that he knows...

On my kids forms in that section I put likes being outside and likes playing with hair. Like other poster said its to help get to know lo

@Akire

Could be things like will scream when sees a balloon or clown or dogs. Hates getting hands messy. Or maybe any other family situation baby due, mum dad just split up, grannies dying, just moved house misses old friends.

Yes, exactly this. It's not really Reasons Why I'm Special . Although of course he is.

I think we put the name of the dog and their favourite animal on. It's just extra info about them.