Can you tell a child's intellect as early as reception?

[Cherryblossom200]

Hi everyone,

I have a little girl who has just turned 5, she's doing well and very happy at school. But I'm starting to find it a bit disheartening to find lot of the awards/certificates are always given to the same children. It's natural as a parent to wonder why your child does get one. Plus when I occasionally see some of the art other children her age produce it's seems to be way ahead.

I've been feeling a bit worried about it and thought perhaps I should have a chat with her teacher who is fab. But don't want to come across as a pushy parent either! But I would like to know if my DD is struggling.

I guess I'm wondering if it's too early to tell how well a child will do from as early as reception? If a child is a bit behind will that continue?

Cherry x

“roots” is a word you know Autocorrect?

I was top of the class all the way through school, got straight As at GCSE and A-level. In my first year at uni I was in a terrible relationship and then went through an awful break up, had a break down, and completely fucked up my degree. Barely scraped a pass.

Honestly, you just never know what life is going to throw at you. Being happy is the number one priority over everything. If you are a straight A student but are crippled with sadness, what good is that bunch of As?

Aim for your children to be happy, well-balanced people with good relationships and a steady home life and they’re much more likely to be a success (whatever that means!)

Oh OP, I'm sure your DD is doing ok! If there were any real problems, her teacher would have spoken to you already about them.

I'm a teacher (Year 1) and a mum, and I completely understand how disheartening it can be when your child appears to be 'overlooked' for the various rewards.

To the PPs who mention that they dislike when rewards appear to be only given out to 'certain' children, ie as a behaviour tool, or to perceived favourites...not all of us do this! And honestly, in my 28 years teaching, I've rarely seen it happen this way actually. Although I do agree that if it does, then it can feel awful to the rest of the children when they've worked so hard and never, ever been 'on the black cloud'. I'm always extremely fair with my rewards, and sometimes do struggle to find a reason to give one (usually in July, when I realise that I've given to everyone apart from 'the four' who have really tested my reserves, and given me a few more grey hairs 😂)

However, in most schools, policy states that they are all to receive a Celebration Certificate, or whatever, at some point in the year. So a reason must be found...which on one memorable occasion was 'for saying your lines really loudly during our class assembly' (they screamed them...then turned their back and refused to join in the rest 🤦‍♀️)

Your DDs turn will come...it's only February, there's another 5 months. I'm only half way down my class list at the moment 👍

My DD still draws stick people most of the time. Her drawings are pretty rubbish and hard to tell what they are. She's y3 and some of her classmates have amazing drawing skills. She's age related in all subjects with some expectations of greater depth from the teachers in some. She just can't draw.

My highly achieving daughter (exceeding across the board) never gets certificates. I did raise it, and was told she didn't need them to motivate her.

I'd take it as a plus that your child hasn't either!

Always the little shits or not so bright ones who get them in her school! And repeatedly the same kids!

You could look at their Rewards policy and check what certificates are awarded and what they are for. How DC qualify, in other words. If you think there is a discrepancy between awards and policy, I would ask the teacher to explain. It is only fair DC get recognised and no one at this age should be left out. But it’s only half way through the year.

It's funny because I'm very creative, and do loads of arty stuff with my DD all the time. Hence why I'm baffled a bit, but to be fair it's more just pencil drawing and colouring in - she just gets a bit bored with it! I think it's probably an age thing. I tend to do painting and making things rather than colouring in.

Everything else she seems to do fine with, she's picked up reading and numbers absolutely fine.

Her teacher is great as well, one of the best in the school. So I'm sure there must be some fairness involved in giving out the rewards.

Really great to hear all your stories, they vary so wildly! 😆👍

My DD never got "star of the week" before about May. Our assumption was that the teachers were trying to make sure everyone got it at least once during the year - which meant seizing any opportunity to reward a "better than usual" week for the more difficult kids, and leaving those who had a good week every week until later, since they could merit it any week.

DD was I felt undervalued at primary school a well behaved top of the middle girl. School failed to identify her Processing disorder and had quite a downer on her that 'she didn't seem to want to push herself'. Plus the emphasis on English which is hard with the processing disorder made her feel bad.
The move to secondary was transformational suddenly there were all these other subjects that she found she excelled in.
Now looking fine the barrel of GCSEs she is forecast really good grades, she excells in performing arts and is the school pin up student in this area.
Honestly primary is meh for the vast majority of children and only when they reach the diversity of secondary so they start to find their rightful place.

Actually I think most children love their primary schools. Sats takes the gloss off a bit but the curriculum can be fun if it’s well taught. They benefitted from clubs and activities and, mostly, great teachers.

No not really. Children born early in the school year tend to be ahead at that age but can lose their advantage as they climb up primary school. The two brightest DC in DS's class were both early September babies - by year two they had both lost their class lead.