My son does not like going to school - reception class

[Creole]

I thought I'll throw this in for your opinions.

My DS will be 5 at the end of this month (he started reception in sept). He has never liked writing and has always protested about it. I've always thought I'll leave it for the teachers to deal with and not force him. But I also was hoping that he would grow out of it. At school they do a lot of work (his words) - work consists of writing (letter and number formation) and as a result of this he does not want to go to school.
He loves reading and is doing quite well on this side.
I was informed at parent's evening that he was ahead in the class and I should get him to do some simple adding and substracting at home, to which I have been doing really slowly.

Can anyone offer any advice on how to approach this?

Many thanks

talk to the teachers - they may not realise that he does not want to go to school. Does he find it physically difficult to write ? I think boys fine motor school take a while to develop. It maybe worth encouraging other activities the develop manual dexterity.

My DS was 4 in Aug and started Recp in Sept. He was just not interested in writing but seems to be getting there now. It just took time. I bought some Noddy "workbooks" that he liked.

I think they all "get it" at different times.

What does the teacher say?

I would talk to his teachers and not push it too hard at this stage as he may be finding the motor skills required difficult making it a turn off. I am really interested what everyone things on this as we have the same issue here. My DS1 who is 7 hates writing and every time he has written homework my heart sinks as he finds it really difficult and it takes ages. He is very bright and reads well above his age but has real difficulty with a pencil. He also fequently has written work sent home as he doesnt finish it in lesson time. I have a softly softly approach at home. We finish the work off and if it takes too long I drop the easy bits of homework such as maths and reading sso we dont do more than 1/2 hour. Fortunately he still likes school but I think that is more for the social scene!

Bump

Definitely talk to his teacher - she may be happy to ease off the writing for a while and give him other things to do to strengthen his fine motor skills. Play-doh, Lego (not Duplo), threading things(pasta on a necklace, lacing cards) and picking up small things like buttons with tweezers are all things you could do at home, which he might enjoy.

Both my boys (7 and in Y3, 4 and in Reception) have poor handwriting and for a while it was a real struggle to get DS1 to write. Both have always been good with their reading.

I also found both mine enjoy things like chalkboards, whiteboards and outside chalks. I know teachers suggest things like tracing letters in rice or sand, but I've never tried at home.

Good luck and hope you find some solutions.

Hi I saw the teacher yesterday and as I suspected it is to do with writing. She said my son is very able and his fine motor skills are fine but he does not like writing. She said she finds it a real struggle to get him to finish off his work which sometimes runs into the afternoon.
She also mentioned that she would like him to start writing independently as most of the other kids are doing that now.

I have told her I have given up on doing writing at home with him as I fine it turns into a battle. She believes that was the right thing and hopefully it would sort itself out.

Any ideas on how to generate interest in writing?

Some ideas my boys have enjoyed at various times:
Chalk for use on pavements outside, writing enormous letters
Writing letters to grandparents or friends (my mum has been very good at sending letters for them to reply to)
Sending invitations to friends to play
Helping write the shopping list
Writing silly messages to me on chalk boards or doodle boards
Drawing pictures and then writing captions for them
Writing labels for things in their room

I think it's probably a good idea to start really small. Maybe he could just add one item to your shopping list (his favourite cereal or something).
Hope this helps!