Worried about DS

[whitefingers]

When my DS (7) first started school he was very bright, he was the highest reader in his class and we were told he had the IT and maths skills of a 10 year old.

Now however it all seems to be going downhill, his reading is still good however only with words he recognises, he will not try with new words and has trouble sounding out the letters in order to work out the word.

His writting is terrible, hardly understandable and his maths is now adverage whereas before he was very far ahead.

He doesn't seem able to work things out, he just doesnt think...I don't know if it's lazyness or if its that he genuinly can't do it. For his homework tonight for instance he had to read a short story and then answer a few questions, he started it at 6pm and has only just finished and even that was down to me practically giving him the final answer due to high levels of frustration and a loss of temper from myself.

Basically the story clearly explained that "albert" was very trusting and believed everything anyone told him. It then went on to say that one day "Sid" told his friends to watch whilst he told Albert that his dad was asked to play for England but decided not to as he didn't like the colour of the shirt.

The question was "why did sid tell his friends to watch whilst he told Albert the story about his dad?".

I know he's only 7 but isnt this blatently obvious or am I expecting too much of him? We were sat there for over an hour going over the story and I was giving him as many clues and hints as I could possibly come up with without giving him the answer. "what does it say about Albert?" "was the story about the football true?" "so why did he tell him it?" etc etc and my son kept saying things like "because he likes football?" "because his friends were not looking?".

Should I be concerned or am I over-reacting?

Could he be tired? I know my ds (8) is bright generally but absolutely switches off if hes over tired. They often have huge growing spurts at this age too. fish oil yoghurt things seem to helping in our house. Though some nights homework is a super streeful battle, some nights he rattles through it. Ive started introducing draconian after school timetable - play outside or tv till 4.45, then homework , tea at 6pm, bath at 7, in bed by 7.30, story then lights out at 8. If we deviate from this hes much worse. hth

I've been through this and finally realised that I was being taken for a ride because child enjoyed the full on attention of being helped with homework so much!??

been there with DS who is 7- gentle encouragement and praise worked far better than the screeching and hurling book across the room.....if he said he could;t do it and had had a really good try..i'd say...'ok, lets put your book away and try again later...." and often that did the trick......

and i let him choose when he does his work..

he prefers to read and practice spellings in the mornings and does his written homework on a saturday morning when DD sleeps..then he knows he can enjoy the rest of the weekend without thinking about it!