Appopriate for Special Educational Needs Register - shy 4 year old

[Nocturnalnonsense]

My son is in foundation year (4.5 years old). This morning his teacher took me aside to say that in the past week he had said he did not know the number that came after 3 and couldn?t name a word stating starting with ?t?. She then went on to say that he may need to go on the SEN register if he is unable to demonstrate this in assessment. My son is pretty shy and has been struggling to settle/find his feet in school. I know he can do both these things but these assessments have all been done in group settings where he is required to respond in front of the whole class - a very difficult time for him to speak up. I don?t mind if he goes on the SEN register, especially if it means he gets more support but wondered if this was appropriate as my view is that confidence in a group setting rather than knowledge was the issue. I was wondering what other people?s views/experiences were?

Being unable to speak n a group situation would be a reason to go on the SEN register.

Being on the SEN register means he needs extra help with something - and it sounds like he does.

Thanks Indigobell. I think he would benefit from more support in some ways. I just find his teachers focus on academic ability difficult to understand. I am a bit concerned about him not feeling confident and shy, but don't really mind if he doesn't want to talk much/demonstrate his knowledge in a group of 30 at 4.5 years. He is confident with family and friends he knows. He loves forest school, will speak more when the class is split in 2 groups of 15. I just wonder if this is really that unusual?

Sounds a bit OTT to me, did she see if he could answer the questions one on one? Are there other issues? Bit harsh if he just needs some confidence in group situations.

Harsh was the wrong word, but you know what I mean.

We have nurture groups for children who find it difficult to talk in larger groups and are perhaps like your son just a little shy. They meet in small groups and talk about things that interest them, Thomas the Tank Engine, Ben 10 and Disney Princesses seem popular! It does help the children to become more self confident in small groups, we aim to gradually increase the size of the groups, some of our children now speak in Collective worship in front of the whole school! Perhaps your child's teacher has something similar in mind. The focus isn't on the academic side but unless your child feels confident sharing what he knows, he will struggle in a class situation

I think the sort of group are are talking about sounds ideal snowball. In forest school he is much more outspoken and confident, he'll take the lead and is assertive. If he could do this more often I think he would grow in cofidence and develop his social skills.
I need to check out if she asked him individually and whether he was able to show what he knew then. I guess such an academic/assessment focus at such a young age just doesn't sit well with me ... or suit my son!!

I don't think it sounds unusual at that age. My DD is just five and in Reception. At your son's age she was at a really wonderful preschool which did small groups like the ones snowball describes. Some of the children in the groups were there because they had speech and language or other difficulties, some because like my DD they had difficulty in speaking up in front of other people. Now, in Reception, she is bubbling over with confidence, though she is a naturally quiet child. She's still not one to speak out unless asked but those little groups did wonders for her. If I were you, I'd definitely ask about the possibility of something of that kind.

Did you tell the teacher that he can do these things but is too shy to say so in a group? Discuss with the teacher the possibility of small group work for shyness / confidence issues.
Is the teacher aware that he does know these things? (she should be if she has been getting to know him).
Does he display selective mutism, do you think?