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Gifted and talented

Talk to other parents about parenting a gifted child on this forum.

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Original poster

Today ds wrote 'g'

38 replies

Mumofcrazy2 · 14/10/2019 19:51

And threaded cheerios onto sticks which were stuck into playdough. Hes capable of writing sentences and he reads chapter books at home but school have him on yellow band.
How do I approach the teacher on this? I was expecting this before they got to know him but its been 6 weeks and I dont feel any hope that anything is going to change?

OP posts:

ByeByeTrain · 14/10/2019 21:17

There are 17 strands to the Early Years and Reception. Reading and writing are only 2 of them. It would be unusual for a child to be meeting the Early Learning Goals in all 17 areas at this stage in reception. You say socially he's great - does he play cooperatively with other children? Take into account others' ideas when playing? Take steps to resolve conflict independently? Show sensitivity to other children's needs? That's just one of the strands.

As for approaching the teacher, I would suggest asking to speak to them after school one day. Ask about how your DS is settling in and how they feel he's doing in literacy. And go from there. I'd also bring some examples of things that he has written at home. Completely independently, with no support or help from you.

Original poster

Mumofcrazy2 · 15/10/2019 10:09

Byebyetrain yes there probably is things that he could improve on but not alot and hes not going to improve on those things by sticking sticks in playdough. He was doing things like that 3yrs ago.

OP posts:

Quartz2208 · 15/10/2019 11:24

What does he want. Being different isnt always the easiest journey and he has years when he can highly achieve.

This time should be about making friends, making strides socially and enjoying himself

That last one is key - what does he want from school to enjoy himself

ByeByeTrain · 15/10/2019 12:59

I'd imagine that the playdough activity was part of the moving and handling strand, to develop fine motor skills and coordination. However, there will also be opportunities to develop lots of other skills through it, particularly social skills - sharing, working together, listening and communication, building relationships with other children. Not to mention counting (how many cheerios did you put on? Can you put 3/12/21 cheerios on?). A good teacher will be looking for all sorts of things and extending children's learning appropriately through 'just sticking sticks in playdough'.

Also, remember that reception is child-led and focuses on children choosing their own activities and play. I'd imagine this was an activity that your DS chose to do.

Simkin · 15/10/2019 13:06

What do you want from school?

If he is as bright as you think I'm not sure what you expect them to be able to do. Maybe you would be better off homeschooling.

On the other hand it's only been 6 weeks and settling into a new school environment is challenging for any 4/5 year old, however academically advanced they are.

RolytheRhino · 15/10/2019 13:17

If he is as bright as you think I'm not sure what you expect them to be able to do.

They're supposed to differentiate. Even if he's incredibly bright, he's four. If they can't find him something challenging to do then they probably shouldn't be doing the job- I doubt he needs MENSA-level stuff.

MrsBalloon · 15/10/2019 15:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TabithasMumCaroline · 15/10/2019 15:49

Wait until parent teacher and then ask for his reading to be properly assessed. It will all settle once they have everyone pegged. It’s always like this, honestly. It was for all three of mine.
Once they have actually assessed him, see how you go. Dd2 could read CS Lewis at 3 lol. Nothing they were going to do in her reading in reception was going to challenge, but it wasn’t the point of sending her at five she was working at 12-15yo comprehension. It was mildly irritating that she had to wait to be assessed before she could free-read, but frankly the other kids needed help first. And she was reading at home anyway, so it really wasn’t essential that we stomped in to insist she could read there too. We just mentioned it at parents evening and laughed a bit. It was fine.
Year R is funny. It’s about way more than reading. Hope he has fun.

Pineapplemintandstrawberrysage · 15/10/2019 18:04

Sticking sticks in playdough has it's purpose. Being academic does not equate all the motor functions are exceeding. All those works, even though he can do it easily, helps build up muscles for better fine/gross motor skills.
I think if he is not challenged academically, it need to be addressed. So I definitely agree that you need to speak to the teacher. But I also think non academic work need to be encouraged, not disregarded.

Littlecaf · 15/10/2019 20:33

Similar boat here OP. Three books have come home so far and DS has read them and said they are boring. I mentioned this to his teacher before he started in our before school parent teacher meeting and I though she seemed a little unmoved - fine she’s probably seen it all before - but I’m not sure she believed me when I said he could read all the books in the book rack behind her.....but reception is about other things than reading and maths, I’m just concentrating on him being happy and we can do more advanced reading at home! Good luck!

Ciwirocks · 15/10/2019 21:20

Be careful what you wish for, the books just get more boring and longer as you move up the book scheme! I would just mention it at parents evening but read the school books and then switch you your own much more interesting books.

JustMarriedBecca · 15/10/2019 22:47

Our daughter has read CVC words since age 2 and has been writing. They have started reception with basic books but it's fine. She's in a reading group with other free readers - they have a small group book and an individual one which I think is common - and discuss grammar and comprehension and actually, she's learning more and not just ticking off levels for the sake of it. Learning to read with expression rather than struggle over the words in the first place. It's refuelled a love of reading and it's a joy to see.

I mentioned the level of reading to her teacher at our parents evening and she explained the educational model behind it. They know what she is capable of and stretching her. They actually know what they are doing!

RETIREDandHAPPY · 02/10/2020 19:32

As a retired teacher and parent/grandparent of very early readers, I am always annoyed by the question, "He/she may be reading chapter books, but is he/ she comprehending?"

Why would any child willingly choose to read a chapter book if they couldn't make sense of it?

Also, in my decades of experience, children who start reading early and enjoy reading, ie, not just forced to read, develop advanced skills, general knowledge, empathy, and are never bored.

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