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Original poster

Raising concerns at parents evening

10 replies

binkacat · 17/10/2006 14:19

My DD (5) seems to be getting on at school fine, apart from she says that the teacher has said her handwriting is messy. Yes it is, but I have no idea if its more messy than usual for a 5yo.

Anyway other stuff about her development bothers me slightly. She is unable to use a knife and fork, struggles with zips and buttons, cannot do shoe buckles never mind laces, seems very clumsy. Is this usual 5yo stuff or do you think I should mention it to the teacher at parents evening tonight?

OP posts:
evilanniedividedin2byalargeaxe · 17/10/2006 14:21

Yes, if it concerns you then I would. Maybe you could broach it by asking for ways to help dd at home with her writing? That might lead on to the other stuff.

I don't know about you, but I always feel really nervous about parent evenings, feel like I'm back at school myself!

Good luck.

Blu · 17/10/2006 14:22

I thnk it would be very useful for you to raise it - these matters are as important as any other in reception, imo.
And it would be good for the teacher to know of any concerns you have about your child - it may prompt her to keep an eye out and see if she thinks there is a concern, too.
Otoh, you may find that your dd is exactly like everyother 5 year-old in the class!

cece · 17/10/2006 14:22

If you are concerned then mention it.

However, fwiw my dd who is 5 and half is only just getting to grips with using knife and fork properly! She only has velcro shoes so no idea bout laces and buckles, but think she would struggle. She is OK but slow with zips and buttons.

I ahve had children in Year 5 not be able to do their laces though.

Blu · 17/10/2006 14:23

I'm sure Ds's teacher thinks I'm a loony after last night's meeting! But she didn't seem to hold it against me! Don't be shy or hold things back, i'm sure teachers have heard it all.

Kittypickle · 17/10/2006 14:26

What was she like with the earlier milestones, when did she walk, jump etc ? Is she Ok with pedalling a bike, cutting with scissors ? What's her drawing like ? Is she OK at sitting at the table or does she flop around all over the place, when she's running do her arms and legs go everywhere ? Sorry to fire loads of questions at her.

A lot of 5 year olds struggle with knives and forks, and buttons etc I think, but if she has struggled along the way with some of the things above I would mention it to the teacher. It's good to hear that she is settling in well

LIZS · 17/10/2006 14:33

Do mention it so that the teacher will be able to put it into context for you , as to whether in her experience it is anything other than typical. ds ' motor problems were flagged up in his equivalent of Year 1 class so it is possible to make a distinction. dd is also 5 and I would hardly call her handwriting neat ! She 's left handed but can manage a knife and fork, clothes, pedal and most other motor skills far better than ds could at at that age.

Original poster
binkacat · 17/10/2006 14:33

She's in Yr 1, not reception.

She's ok with sissciors, can pedal a bike with stabilisers, doesn't sit still very long at the table but does tend to flop forward/leaning on table, her arms flap a bit when running....

Her drawing is a lot better than what it was recently, but I don't know how it compares to an average YR1. Will have to sneak a peek at other kids' work tonight!

She was 16months when she walked. I think about 10months when she crawled.

Probably takes afetr me, I couldn't tie my shoelaces until I was 14

OP posts:
evilanniedividedin2byalargeaxe · 17/10/2006 14:35

May I do a tiny hijack? DD1 is also 5, her writing was (I thought) okay for her age, but now the school have started getting them to do little tails on every letter to get them ready for 'joined up'. Her writing has now gone crap, large and unformed.

BTW binkacat, dd1 also gets in a muddle with buckles and laces, and has bother putting her own socks on.

Kittypickle · 17/10/2006 14:37

I love whoever it was who invented velcro shoes ! I agree with Lizs, mention it so she can explain it in context. It was after DD's parent's evening that I realised she probably had dyspraxia and as it turned out I was right. Having it flagged up early in reception was a huge help to her and she's made good progress, though I'm currently having a nightmare about the whole middle school thing, but that's a different thread !

Original poster
binkacat · 17/10/2006 15:20

Yeah, velcro shoes are a god send.

I just want someone to invent velcro polo shirts now

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