My DS has a late August birthday, so will be starting school in September at only a few days over 4. He’s been in nursery since he was 9 months old and has been at the school nursery where he’ll be starting reception since January, so he’s used to a full day out of home, as well as being really comfortable at the actual place he’ll be starting school, so I’m hopeful that it won’t be a shock when he starts.
In many ways I think he’s confidently keeping up with the kids around him - even the older ones - but in some things (particularly pencil holding/mark-making and some physical dexterity stuff) I think he’s quite behind and he has said things that suggest he’s disheartened by this (‘I’m not as good as everyone else. They can do things I can’t do’). The nursery say he’s well within the range for school starters, but that he has a tendency to give up when he finds things hard and that I need to work on his can-do attitude.
I’m really conscious of trying to get him ready for school as best I can without him feeling too much pressure. I also don’t want to rob him of the last of his toddler-hood. I feel like the school nursery has forced him to grow up so fast and I have to keep reminding myself when he can’t do something that he’s actually only 3!
Has anyone with an August born experienced these worries but gone on the have positive school experiences? He’s a bright, engaged, funny chatterbox of a boy and I’d love some reassurance that his spirit isn’t going to be crushed!