A phase or a concern?

4 replies

Creole · 09/03/2006 08:34

Should you worry if your child tells you that school is boring and they don't like school?

My DS is at reception at the moment and he is forever saying this, I keep thinking/hoping it's a phase.
He is a bit advanced and has exceeded all the goals expected at reception.
He is not being bullied, but he hates "work" as he put it.

I will be informing the teacher about this in our parent's evening.

But will you be concerned?

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Sparklemagic · 09/03/2006 08:49

I would be concerned, because of course we want our kids to enjoy what they do every day!

I honestly wonder about the education system and boys of this age - so many would rather be haring around being manically active (like my DS!)and the work (eg writing, drawing) seems to suit girls better who are (generalising I know) often better at sitting still and learning the fine motor skills work.

Maybe year one will be his salvation - the curriculum changes and from reading various education threads on here I've learned that many kids have 'caught up' with the more advanced ones by Yr 1 so he may find it pitched a bit more at his level. What do you think?

Maybe at parents evening you could ask the teacher if there are any different ways he could approach the same work? Is he very active? I met a Headteacher once, lovely lady, who said that with the boys who weren't into writing, she would take them into the playground with huge pieces of chalk and get them to do the necessary words on the playground in huge letters. (For assessment purposes she took digital photos to prove the boys had done the work). Maybe you and the teacher could come up with some creative stuff like this to engage him?

throckenholt · 09/03/2006 08:49

I would try and talk to him about what actually he finds boring and which bits he doesn't like. Also try and get him to tel you if he likes anything. Not easy - trying to get deatils like that out of my 4.5 year old is like trying to get blood out of a stone.

hannahsaunt · 09/03/2006 09:55

Ds1 (5) says this a lot and whilst still having mild concerns (he's v ahead of his class here) the root causes of the problem turned out to be:

a) he doesn't like being quiet

b) he doesn't like going 5 days a week and feels he's missing out on fun activities with me (like shopping and cleaning, I don't think!).

He isn't stretched (yet) at school but he's grade 1 and there's plenty time. It means he has energy to do swimming lessons, music, gymnastics and tennis after school which I think is much better for all round social and emotional development than being worn out by school.

A lot of it was to do with his definition and understanding of "bored". HTH

Original poster

Creole · 09/03/2006 12:44

Yes, I am hoping by year 1 (or soon) he'll start to enjoy school again. I will definately be speaking to the teacher though as I think the books he brings home are not stretching him enough.
Throcketholt - I know exactly what you mean about getting blood out of stone.

Hannah - I have explored the idea of after school activities and he will be starting swimming and drama lessons after the easter term.

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