Reception class son not meeting targets

[mrgrouper]

My son is 4 and has an August birthday so is one of the youngest in his class.
I try to help him with his reading but he absolutely hates anything to do with school work.
I spoke to the teacher today who said he had not met his year targets. I am really worried about him and feel I am failing as a mum. It is difficult because he just is not interested at all.

My dd was miles ahead of her peers at pretty much every stage til about age 5 but is fairly average at 11.

My DS1 didn't read til he was 7 and is at about the same level at 9 that his big sister was at 9.

There is no point at all in pushing a 4 year old, they shouldn't be being taught to read and write at all unless they themselves want to be IMO.

Have a look at PISA test scores for international comparison - there is nothing to be gained from starting to teach reading and writing before age 6 and countries that start at 6/7 outpace the UK by age 15 anyway.

Don't make the poor kid do an hour of school work per day in his summer holiday at age 4 unless you want a stressed put miserable very little boy on your hands. There's ti.e to be on his case like that in 8+ years time!

well a bit of good news. Yesterday was last day of term and at the assembly my son has been awarded the Headmaster's award for good attitude and exceptional effort. His teacher is now saying he has made massive progress this term.
I am still working with him everyday, but turning it into fun learning.
I honestly now believe a lot of his lack of progress has been down to my personal problems (fleeing DV, ending up in court etc). My mind has not really been on my son.

Wow, such a great news! Thank you for sharing. Well done to your DS.

I am so proud of him!

And you should always be. :)