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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

August child

8 replies

Mel86 · 18/09/2012 21:25

Does anyone else have a child born in August my daughter is only just 6 and in year 2'but is really struggling.....the teacher isn't too concerned yet but I am

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Lolaismyfavouriteandmybest · 18/09/2012 21:36

Mine is just 6 and is in yr 2. She has some special needs and is struggling socially rather than academically. (its particularly a problem that she likes to watch tv aimed at pre schoolers and has no idea/interest in the things her peers like). The teachers aren't worried as she in top groups for. Reading writing and maths if she was starting yr1 right now she wouldn't stand out as nearly so different maturity wise.

I wish there had been the choice to hold her back a year. (we have family in Scotland who were encouraged to do this for their son so he is in the equivalent of yr 2 despite being 18 months older than my dd! )

Kahlua4me · 18/09/2012 21:42

Both my dc are summer holiday children.
Ds is now in yr 5 and finally settled into school last year. He had trouble with all aspects, both educationally and emotionally. I kept persevering and worked a lot at home in short spurts and he is getting there. Spent a lot of it e talking with teachers and anyone who would listen.

Dd is in yr 2 and is fine with literacy but struggles with maths. We are just plodding along! Emotionally she is fine and has a good group of friends. I am probably more relaxed as she is happy.

Are you concerned about anything in particular?

clam · 18/09/2012 21:57

My ds is an August birthday and has just attained 9 A's and 2A*s plus a few Bs at GCSE. That's not a boast, just to give you some context. He was in the middling group in Reception and Year 1 and had "caught up" with the Autumn-borns by Year 2. He's reasonably bright - and you have to remember that there is a massive ability range in any class, and birth month just confuses the whole thing anyway. Some are in the top groups because they're bright, others because they're September birthdays, others because they're hard workers who are motivated and self-disciplined. The make-up of those groups will alter as they go through the school.

Of course, if you think she's struggling anyway, regardless of her age, then have another word with the teacher.

TroublesomeEx · 18/09/2012 22:10

Mine's an end of July birthday, recently turned 6 and in Year 2.

What are you concerned about in particular?

simplesimone · 18/09/2012 22:13

As your DD is young she may be suffering a bit socially and this may have hit her confidence. Is there any chance you could help out in her class occasionally? Just you being there may help her.
My DD is an August baby, now in year 8 at the local Grammar school and doing very well but when she was your DD's age she struggled. It turns out that this was because she was too shy to speak or read aloud. Luckily, a friend who is a teacher suggested that I volunteer to help out in DD's class. This gave DD some confidence and me some idea about what she was learning. Within 3 months, DD had moved up reading groups and did much better after that.

The other thing I did was read to her lots and have her read to me as often as possible - no idea why, but it works.
Totally agree with what Lola said - when I tried to delay DD's start, after a lot of argument the school said that she could start the September after she turned 5 but would have to start in Year 1 rather than Reception ... madness ... don't see why the parents shouldn't be able to decide.
Good luck to you both - at least our babies won't have to go to school on their birthdays

jellybeans · 18/09/2012 22:17

I have DTs couple of days from being in other year. They were early and should have been mid sept. They started with delays and SN/SALT. By 6 they had caught up and now at 10 are in top sets. So you just never know but many can catch up.

simpson · 18/09/2012 23:05

DS is in yr3 now and academically is now doing fine ( but only from yr1 - reception was a right off tbh) but there is still a big difference in maturity between him and his older peers and it's not helped by the the fact that he is tiny!!

He was born on 31st August (2 weeks early at 11.40pm so pretty close to the deadline!!)

He got bullied badly at the beginning of yr2 and I did worry about him going into juniors (that big playground -pfb ) but he has loved it so far!!

RaisinBoys · 18/09/2012 23:59

Late august DS. Great academically, struggled socially - shy, sensitive and a little immature.

Now Y5, still doing great academically, has grown up a lot, still sensitive and a little shy but is thriving.

If you have specific worries then tackle them early with the teacher. - don't be fobbed off.

Incidentally niece is also Aug born. Graduated top 1% in the country in her year. Summer born children do great - if you're worried get them the help they need, and take the stats with a pinch of salt!

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