A private tutor for 3 year old??

[Dystrophin345]

Hi all,
My SIL has a 3 year old who will be 4 in September and she has a private tutor for him who is very well educated. She told me that in one session her DS has learnt how to write his a couple of his letters.

My little one knows some basics but as he is the only child, he seems a little awkward socially and obviously my SILs kid seems to me more advanced. Im not sure how much benefit a private tutor has and I know I could teach him myself but there are two things. First I want him to have a natural interest and go by his lead and the second I'm scared that if I push it too much, it could be counter productive. However, as he will be the youngest in his class, I worry that he might be behind somehow when he starts reception.

What are your thoughts?

Your child will gain much more from one to one interaction from you and being led through play. Even at school they will be learning through play for at least the first couple of years. At age 3 he is best homing in his concentration skills and perseverance and love of counting and love of books, all of which he will learn best from his immediate caregivers. If you're dead set on him learning something then count things constantly with him (I do this with my 27MO and she can already count out a few objects in books etc quite accurately) and read to him and do some basic phonics. Jolly phonics is a very nice mobile app. My LO loves it. Don't get hung up on what other kids can do. Academic success is a marathon not a sprint. And getting a tutor at such a young age is pretty ridiculous IMHO no offence to your SIL They should be PLAYING and learning social skills at this age. This will hold them in much better stead for the future than knowing how to write a few letters x

PS depending on when exactly his birthday is there is always the option of starting reception a year later if you really don't think he's ready or saving some money and getting a tutor in his first year or 2 at school if he doesn't seem to be catching on quick enough. I don't think there's any rush to assume that he will struggle just because he's younger in the year

M daughter couldn't read and write when she started Reception but was in top table by the end of the school year and got A grades in her English GCSEs.
Teachers prefer that you focus on self care skills like wiping after going to the loo, getting changed for PE etc