Is an academically average 9 year old ok??

[Laynaroche]

Help! I'm not sure if my 9 year old son needs extra tuition? I have 2 children, a 11 year old girl who has sailed through school and always achieved above average results and a 9 year old boy who has up until now always just about over achieved. I have just had his school report which has given him straight 3's, which is what they say Is the average. He is a lovely bubbly little boy with lots of confidence but he is very competitive and I think that because of this he switches off if he thinks he cannot win (compared to his sister and best friend who appear more academic). I really don't want to increase his workload and put him off school for life but at the time time if I could do something to help that would be great. Any suggestions would be greatly received. Thank you.

He doesn't need any help, he just needs space. If his teachers report actual gaps in understanding in key areas, you could help a bit, but a tutor because he is enjoying his life and achieving reasonable standards? No way.

The most professionally successful person I know got a clutch of ok exam results then followed their passion. He would never have had time to develop that passion if he'd been tutored to improve his academic results.

I'll be honest, you sound overly pushy and competitive about your son's performance.

Of course an academically average 9 yr old is ok. Level 3's in Year 4 is fine. As already said if there areas of improvement in his report you could maybe work on them but even them, I wouldn't push him too hard. You say he is a happy and confident boy and that is all that matters at this age.

Please don't compare him to his sister. Every child is different and develops at their own pace. If you compare him to his sister then so will he and that will take away his confidence.

I have an academically average 10yr old who does his best, is kind and happy at school. I am very proud of him. His younger sister is shaping up to be academically above average but I would never talk about this with them. They both have different strengths.

Errrrhmmm...it is in the nature of things that most children will be more or less average. And that a fair few will be under average. Most people still cope in life.

You sound like me op. My ds (8) is extremely academic -just finishing year 3 with level 4 in everything. Dd (6) is finishing year 1 average in most things, a bit above in some. I wonder if i should be doing stuff with her at home. But she is such a happy, friendly girl and confident sociallay whereas my ds a bit awkward in company so i think his strengths are in other areas to his. But even though i know this i have been thinking about doing a bit of school stuff over summer.

If I was going to have a concern here, it would be that if he's slightly over achieved to date and is now dead on average, it looks like he's not made expected progress this year. I'd look out for signs that he's coasting, just in case he falls further back next year.