Not meeting the expected standard in writing

[peppaminttea]

DS (summer born) did not meet the expected standard in writing at EYFS. This came as somewhat of a surprise as there had been no mention of any concern throughout the year (we raised concerns with regards to phonics but we're made to feel like these concerns were unfounded). I'm still unsure why he didn't meet the standard, although suspect it may be because he often likes to write random letters down and pretend they mean something/ask you what it says as if it should mean something!

So as not to drip feed, he has had glue ear since he was a baby and had his second set of grommets fitted in the latter part of his reception year I think his hearing may be a big factor with his writing. There is also a strong family history of dyslexia (which obviously is a concern but too early to tell) and dysgraphia and dyspraxia, although his actual handwriting doesn't seem too bad to me given that he is only just 5.

What support should he be getting in Year 1 to help him meet the expected standard?

TIA

Before even reading your post I thought I bet it's a summer born boy. Honestly I wouldn't worry too much, he'll probably catch up naturally. I would try to read with him a little every day at home (whatever he enjoys not necessary ORT), encourage him to use a pen (to colour, scribble, write nonsense - whatever he enjoys) and if he can do a it of real writing. Don't correct his spelling or letter formation just let him have a go. You can also look up fine motor activities to do at home (finding a penny in the play doh etc). The school will probably being doing similar with him. He'll probably be sat on the table which gets extra help when doing writing tasks. Since this is so common in summer born boys they probably won't do much else as he'll catch up naturally over time.

Thanks. Hard not to worry given our history. I didn't worry with is brother (also summer born) because everyone was telling me he'd catch up, 4 years later he has been diagnosed with dyspraxia and dysgraphia and still can't write, so he is having to learn to type.

In actual fact DS(5)'s handwriting his better than DS(9)'s handwriting. With the younger DS it really doesn't seem to be a fine motor issue, as is often the case with summer born boys. He loves colouring and drawing, very good pen control, correct pen grip etc.

Tbh my son hit his targets in yr1 and rec but only because he hit it on the computer. He has a dx of dcd/dyspraxia and uses word for his long written work.
Had to fight for it though and in the end got OT and paediatrician to help him access it.
He is on the severe side of the centiles for dcd though and even at seven he can’t even read his own writing. For writing by hand he also has a slope, arms on his chair and also a specific grip for his pencil.

Also for his SATS this year he’ll have a scribe

If you suspect dcd/dyspraxia you need to try to get dx early as possible. I’d go to gp if you suspect he has it.

So he is having phonetically spelling words?
Writing random stuff could just be being silly/immature.
As you say not meeting eyfs targets for boys seems to be physical usually.
Though i guess inclination and concentration make a lot of difference.
Dd met expectations in yr r but writing was much worse than rest of her class. She did start to get a lot better suddenly in yr 1.
It's a tough journey for SB dc. Im looking at a CSA yr r start for dc2. Because bright SB dc fall behind too, losing confidence.

In order to meet expected standard for EYFS in writing they have to able to write sentences that could be read by someone else. This is actually quite a high standard for a child who has only just turned 5 and for any child who has issues at all with letter formation or phonics is quite difficult to achieve.

If there is a history of specific learning difficulties, then I would keep an eye on that, but in year 1 just continue to support with Phonics and handwriting. What is his reading like? Did he achieve for reading?

Is the current class teacher aware of the family history of dyslexia? I would suggest giving a few weeks to settle in and then make an appointment with them. Ask what they’re doing in school to close the gap and what specifically you can do at home. I always offer to give copies of the supportive resources we use in class (e.g word mats, letter formation cards etc) to parents who want them so there is a consistent approach to things between home and school. At my school the screener we use for dyslexia can’t be done until they’re 7, which is really rubbish for the summer borns. But, that doesn’t stop us using some of the techniques with children that we suspect have issues.

Could you ask the head teacher if he can repeat reception? It would give him an extra year to catch up.

A child needs to have quite profound special needs in order to be allowed to repeat Reception I think, and I don't think it would be at the discretion of the head teacher.

Do you do any work with him at home??

Start reading frequently and writing a lot yourself and telling/showing him what you've written.
Try and do some writing at home, have him write the shopping list and a letter to Nanny and Grandad or something.

The school will do as much as they can, but they can't solely focus on it. By year one he will be expected to be able to write and read simple sentences so work will automatically include that gradually getting harder to complex sentences.

Repeating is down to the head of school

If it's a state school repeating Reception wouldn't really solve anything as at some point they would have to rejoin their peers unless the LA agrees to continuing a year behind.
Peppa you need to make an appointment with the teacher to discuss your child's needs and to come up with a plan how best you and they can support him.

Some areas agree all CSA starts so it would depend on the LA /academy about moving up a year. But it would have to be shown to be in their best interests.
I think with an 18m delay wouldnt that mean they are below the level of the year below? So help etc would be needed anyway.

If you can ask to repeat a year I would certainly do it and push for it. Maturity helps writing and spelling.