Advice please DS going from yr1 to yr2

[Beavermum]

DS has had report and brought years work home. In short has ability but could do better ... alot! DH and I are pretty rleaxed as it is only yr one he is very young in yr (not 6 yet, happy and sociable and is a boy. However, looking a his work looks like a lot of it is because he just cant be bothered (ar**ed!) His colouring/drawing is very immature and his writing is dire. However, on occassion he can do great drawing/writing etc and even maths which he loves and is good at sometimes he has made silly mistakes due to lack of attention and application.

He nees to "go the extra mile" according to his teacher and we would agree and sometimes he seems frightened of getting it wring. We have always encouraged him and helped him work things out for himself.

Any tips.....he is going to have a very strict teacher in yr 2 which is probably what he needs

Sounds like a typical year 1 boy, I'd say. I would say all my three dcs only really came into their own in year 2. Have faith in him, and the school's ability to bring out the best in him.

Thanks I know you're right. Also know he has his mother's genes re writing (didnt get it til 12 [blush} and actually never really "got" school loved it socially but formal learning take it or leave it.DH even worse......poor boy doesn't stand a chance [grin}

"sometimes he makes silly mistakes"???? What's wrong with that? He's a 5 year old not a pilot.

One tip I do have if he is frightened of getting it wrong - is to buy some little whiteboards for home and get him to do his writing and spellings on these. They are far less daunting for perfectionists because mistakes can be properly wiped out - and there's no lasting record of their work.

My 5 year old hates making mistakes with writing/spelling. I sometimes let her try typing them on the computer as they are easier to correct and she is left with no evidence of the mistake... Clearly this doesn't help with formation of letters, but it might be another way to keep him interested.

I am honestly training him to be a pilot! I meant 2+3=6 when q@d because he said thought it was 2X3

Thanks for ideas had tried the computer one white board good idea he would like that

Favourite bit of his report "Js art is bold and colourful" (for which read throws paint on paper as cant be fussed with detail)

Our ds is also among the youngest in his class (June baby) and at the end of Year 1 his writing was huge and messy. Even in November 2010 (Year 2) his teacher mentioned that his writing still needed a lot of improvement, and she was right!
We went to his school a couple of weeks ago to meet his new Year 3 teacher and looked at some of his current writing and it has improved a heck of a lot. In fact I was so impressed I actually took a photo of it!
So I wouldn't be too worried about it at this stage - kids take time to develop especially when they one of the younger ones in class.
I should add that often people write as if their experiences apply to every kid, I can only tell you what happened with our ds.
Goopd luck!