summer borns

[fattybum]

my ds1 has just started reception and seems to be doing well. Im just a bit concerned that he may be a bit left behind by the bigger, older alpha male type boys. His birthday is in june and he definitely notices that he is smaller/less able than they are and i really dont want it to affect his confidence. Am i over worrying about this and does it just even out in the end? Id love to hear other experiences of this!

This topic has been the focus of many studies and topics here on MN. You will get a different opinion from everyone with a summer baby. We speak from personal experiences and I'm sure you will be none the wiser once this thread is finished. For some, it's a huge disadvantage and their dc will and have played 'catch-up' with their peers in lots of areas. Others will explain it has made no difference and that some of their dc are in fact very bright or G&T. One area that professionals have looked at and summarised is at school. Late summer (Jul/Aug) boys can find starting formal education tricky and that it does not respect their natural development. Surprisingly, Summer born girls were proven more likely to have a SEN at sometime in their education. My own personal experience is that DS1, born December, sailed through school and has excelled. DS2 is Late August and is struggling, academically and socially.

Sorry for ignorance, but what is a SEN?

SEN = special educational need.

I would agree with MadameSin - you will get different opinions from everyone. How a summer born copes at school, and when things 'even out' depends on soooo many variables - how bright they are, how confident/sociable they are, how emotionally mature they are, where they are in a family (first/second/third child etc) and so on. For some children it will barely be obvious by the end of Reception. For others, it will still be pretty obvious well into the junior/middle school years. I have read that it can take some (though by no means all) summer borns until Y5 or 6 for the 'evening out' to really happen.

OP, I have a July born DS with some SEN and for what it's worth would say that yes, being a summer born was/is a big issue for him. Definitely still playing catchup. But then again the gap is definitely narrowing in some key areas. I try more than anything to keep boosting his self esteem because he is very aware that others in his class are more able/further on with things than he is.

My dd was born on 31st August - so started school about 3 days after she turned 4. She is a gregarious and confident child, and has had no problems in her first year of school. She had a great first report and the teacher said that you would never think that she was a Summer baby. I was anxious about it, and probably will continue to be throughout her education - the most important thing I have tried to do is to make sure I do plenty of back-up work at home (fun stuff,but educational), but also try to remember that as long as she is happy then that's the important thing.
It seems to be a mixed bag - DH's sister was Summer born and excelled at school too.

I am summer born. I think it made a difference in primary school but evened out by the time we reached secondary. There has to be a cut off point somewhere so some kids will always have to be the youngest in the class. That's life, I'm afraid.

I am watching this thread with interest as my little boy will be in the same position in a few years time. Riven I am v. reassured by what you have said as mine was also born on 27th Aug!