Am seeking some advice about my DS who is age 5. We live in Australia and he started school (equivalent of reception year) in January.
My son has an excellent teacher who is very highly regarded by the school community. At the last two parents evenings she said to me that my DS is significantly "slower" than the other kids in class and he lacks focus.
However she also said at he is doing well at reading, writing, maths etc. She said he is a kind friend and is very well behaved.
I asked his teacher if there is anything I could do to help him with his focus and she said probably not, that it was likely a matter of maturity rather than ability.
I understand what she means about his "lack of focus" as at home he often needs to be asked a number of times to do simple tasks like putting his shoes in the bedroom.
When I have volunteered as a parent helper in class I have seen him complete activities much slower than the other children. For example he will still be writing his name at the top of the sheet when the other children have moved on to the next activity.
I had brushed the issue off as something that would work itself out in time. That is until the last couple of weeks when my son has been telling me he feels very sad about how slow he is at school. He said he feels upset that he cannot keep up with the other kids. He said he feels confused. He also said they tease him for being slow and make up rhyming songs about him.
I tried to reassure him that he is doing well and as long as he tries that is all that matters. I also suggested he tell the teacher when he is being teased, he said she doesn't like it when kids tell tales (I'm not sure whether she would deem this as telling tales or not).
I feel so sad for him and am worried this could dent his confidence. I know school can be a lonely place when you are being teased.
So I am wondering if mumsnetters have any advice about how I can tackle this? I feel I need to approach his teacher, I'm wondering what my expectation of her should be? What would best help him to deal with his feelings? And is there anyway I can help him developing his focus - over time?