End of reception -what is expected in numeracy/literacy? PFB behind

[madhousequeen]

DC has complex SEN and learning disabilities.

We had a meeting with school regarding progress recently and have been told DC is behind in numeracy & literacy. Not totally unexpected. However, the meeting was not with the CT but the SENCO (CT just left school du to ill health and DC has changing supply teachers until end of term). I asked SENCO what level of attainment would be expected of a typical child and SENCO did not know and referred me to some websites

Anyways - DC knows all the sounds and a lot of blends as well (ee, oo, air, gig etc) and can write all lower case letters and his name + surname but is not writing anything else yet. DC can blend words such as sheep, light, park etc but finds segmenting difficult; he is reading pink books and is starting on red band books.

He know numbers until 30, can add up until 10 using his fingers , order numbers and has a good understanding of quantities up to 5/6.

We are happy with the progress given his complex SN but I wonder if this is really thatfar behind.

Fig me, if your son is far behind then what the heck is wrong with mine.

The expected level

number

Children count reliably with numbers from 1 to 20, place them in order and say which number is one more or one less than a given number. Using quantities and objects, they add and subtract two single-digit numbers and count on or back to find the answer. They solve problems, including doubling, halving and sharing.

shape and measure

Children use everyday language to talk about size, weight, capacity, position, distance, time and money to compare quantities and objects and to solve problems. They recognise, create and describe patterns. They explore characteristics of everyday objects and shapes and use mathematical language to describe them.

writing

Children use their phonic knowledge to write words in ways which match their spoken sounds. They also write some irregular common words. They write sentences which can be read by themselves and others. Some words are spelt correctly and others are phonetically plausible.

reading

Children read and understand simple sentences. They use phonic knowledge to decode regular words and read them aloud accurately. They also read some common irregular words. They demonstrate understanding when talking with others about what they have read.

Yup, DS is a verified numpty.
Good thing he's so Darn Cute.

In the pilots last year only 41% achieved them ragged

I'm TERRIFIED that my writing refusing just 4 year old is expected to be writing sentences by this time next year!
Never going to happen! He will only reluctantly write his name and the writing is shit. I feel IEPs coming on. Oh god.

On the other hand why does a 4 year old need to be able to write in sentences? As long as they can do it by the time they leave infants does it matter?
They seem to push these expectations onto younger and younger children. Soon they'll be expecting it of 3 and 2 year olds and children will be classed as behind the second they're born.

They need to be able to write non chronological reports by the end of the infants Stillhopingstillhere

For god's sake.
I may emigrate to a country that doesn't start them at school until 6!

thanks, mrz. I get now why DC is behind but really - why should a 5 year old be able to do this.

I am from Europe and I only started school at 7-makes me when I see what our children have to learn so early...

The difference is they are expected sit down and read and write as soon as they start in those countries ... believe it or not many are envious of our "gentle" start.

At Christmas my pfb had to be tied down and heavily bribed leant on to read or write anything at all. His letters were two or more inches high.

Now he writes in sentences with plausible/correct spelling, and reads off-scheme books for fun from our bookshelves.

Basically at some point he worked out that reading and writing was a useful skill he wanted, and he applied himself. A year is a very long time and children reach that lightbulb moment at different ages. His number work is less stable but he hasn't had the realisation quite yet of why it is of benefit to him. He will, eventually.

Fret not. It will be ok.

Quick story (and very unstealth boast) to give anyone reading cause to not (necessarily) worry.

Ds is end of August baby. He ended reception (not yet turned 5 of course) just about where he should be with reading. A little behind with numeracy.

Writing - not at all. Not a fig. Couldn't draw even a circle or form any letters. Nada.

We did nothing particularly special. He was given lots of different opportunities to mark make with foam and sand etc etc but we didn't worry unduly. We read loads to him and with him. He started to make excellent progress in reading but didn't show signs of being much of a writer. He started to write/draw in the middle of year 1.

By end of KS1 he was where he should be - level 2 writing.

By end of KS2 he was above average - level 5b writing.

One year later he has just finished year 7 and all of his writing is levelled as level 7 and his end of year report describes him as 'extraordinarily talented in English'.

I know some people hate it when posters tell others not to worry yet, but don't worry yet!