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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Reading to the dog at school...I'm wondering why?

19 replies

Feminine · 13/12/2012 15:08

I know this is not actually the right spot so sorry!

Anyway, to cut a very looong story short, DS9 reads regularly to a really cute dog at school. DS has no problems reading, has been free reading for years....

He also has been taken out of lessons to another special group, to make things?

Recently he been taking tests to see if he falls under any SENCO umbrella.

When we left the US (8 months ago) he was doing very well at school , they measure in letters and he had A's for all subjects.

Since arriving here, the teacher and head have been very Hmm about any skills he had/has. At the parent evening his teacher was very disparaging about him. Talked about needing to find out if it was mental or something else? Confused

From my garbled title , I hope someone can work out what I am trying to say? :)

AIBU to suspect the school think he does have a SN that they have not yet shared with me?

My internet is behaving badly today, sorry if I don't respond quickly!

OP posts:
3b1g · 13/12/2012 15:17

Reading to dogs is an initiative to increase confidence for children when they are reading. The dog is the ultimate non-judgemental listener.How is his understanding of what he is reading?

The British education system and the one in the US are very different. I realise this was many moons ago, but when I moved to Michigan from Scotland aged 5, I was put into second grade as I'd already had two years of formal education. So I was working with 7-8 year olds.

It might just be that he is adjusting to the British school system. I would suggest asking for an appointment with the class teacher and with the SENCO / Inclusion Manager if necessary to find out more. Do you know what levels he is currently working at?

GrimmaTheNome · 13/12/2012 15:18

When you say DS9 do you mean he's 9 years old? ( usually eg DS2 means second son, not a two year old, just clarifying).

What age did he start school in the US - I believe its later than in the UK (its too early here IMO). It may be that the teacher isn't making adequate allowance for this. Perhaps your DS just hasn't been formally taught for quite so long and the teacher isn't making allowance for this. I have heard (purely anecdotally) of mismatches in expectations with american kids because they tend to be confident and so the UK teacher thinks they'll be further on that they are. Does that make any sense?

madeupstuff · 13/12/2012 15:18

YANBU to think that at all.

Do you have any concerns about him?

I rather like the idea of reading to a cute dog - although I don't know if it's an established method for doing anything.

Does the school have an IEP for him? (not necessarily a SEN issue)

Blu · 13/12/2012 15:22

Definitely ask for a meeting with them.

Actually reading to the dog sounds a brilliant idea, my DS (no long term educational issues at all, but slow to learn to read) would have thrived with that, as it was feeling under pressure to 'get it right' that made him anxious about reading aloud.

PumpkinPositive · 13/12/2012 15:23

No pressure or risk of embarrassment reading to a dog is there? Does your son have confidence issues?

madeupstuff · 13/12/2012 15:29

The confidence in reading thing does make sense. It is common?

BlueberryHill · 13/12/2012 16:13

The reading to a dog is a new initiative, it seems to be getting good results. The dog isn't judgemental and there is no right answer for him. It isn't widespread as yet, maybe trialling it in a couple of areas?

DozyDuck · 13/12/2012 16:48

Grades and expectations for children in the US of a certain age are totally different than in the UK. They start later and although catch up when older anyway, are a bit behind the UK at younger ages do this might just be the case Smile

Plomino · 13/12/2012 17:22

The READ scheme actually originated in the States (Reading Education Assistance Dogs) and has been operating for a number of years over there , before coming to the UK fairly recently. It has apparently shown a number of benefits , particularly because it seems to provide a much more relaxed scenario for children to read in . Dogs can't criticise , or judge for example. There is more to it than just improving the reading as it also seems to encourage self confidence amongst a whole host of things .

I found it really interesting to read about and I believe our school are currently looking to see if they could make it work .

mummytime · 13/12/2012 17:41

Also it is a very high percentage of children who at some stage of their educational career will be on the SEN register. It doesn't mean they are "stupid" or will be placed in a special education class (like in the US). It usually just means that for some time they need some extra input.
If that input doesn't solve their problems, then the school will look more closely and may get outside advice.

All my 3 children have been on the SEN register at some point. My oldest two will probably remain there for most if not all their school career; but that doesn't mean they will not go to University, even possibly quite top universities.

As your son has changed education system, he may well be behind what would be expected for him (eg. he may seem very bright verbally but not be as good on paper), he could have gaps in his learning, he could just be struggling with different ways of doing Maths or Spelling. It could also be that a different educational system has knocked his confidence, and he needs time to adjust and learn the new "unwritten" rules.

I would suggest that you start to keep a diary of your interactions with the school, and do not be afraid to ask for clarification of what they mean by their terminology and why things are happening.

riskit4abiskit · 13/12/2012 18:18

I love the dog idea
Would love a dog in my classroom!

BOFingSanta · 13/12/2012 18:25

I assume it's because they can't read to cats. Cats do judge.

StuntGirl · 13/12/2012 18:29

Santa Grin

JamieandtheMagiTorch · 13/12/2012 18:30

Bof Grin

I agree with all of the above. I'm a TA and I can think of quite a few children who'd really love and benefit from this. Not just unconfident readers, but those who have "switched off" from reading due to past difficulties with it.

JamieandtheMagiTorch · 13/12/2012 18:32

OP you do need to ask for an appt with the SENCO though. The fact you've interpreted what the teacher said as your DS being "mental" (a term I really think/hope they didn't use), means you need some clarification

Floralnomad · 13/12/2012 18:40

I have some friends who moved to the US for about 3years , when they came back their daughter ( who had passed her 11+ before they left ) had to be put back a year at school and she was already one of the oldest in her original year. Your son probably just needs some extra help to catch up to his classmates.

Original poster
Feminine · 14/12/2012 13:43

Just borrowing internet at a relatives. Thanks so much for all the help/comments.

Looks like I won't have internet till the 18th -thanks BT!

Anyway, jamie they were trying to establish if it was a gross motor skill thing, or maybe fine ....I think

OP posts:
cumfy · 14/12/2012 14:33

A real dog ?

JamieandtheMagiTorch · 14/12/2012 15:53

A real dog. A well-behaved one. Child can sit, feel relaxed, stroke the dog, dog just is a non-judgmental presence. I saw a report about it on the news some time ago. As I say, I can think of a few children who'd benefit from it.

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