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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

Struggling in reception.

16 replies

SS80 · 18/03/2019 13:31

Hi all. This is my first post.
My 4yr old is struggling in reception and won’t be meeting the the expected level by the end of the year. I’m so heartbroken for her. I hate the thought of her being left behind. When I asked her teacher if she might catch up in the next year or so she said ‘we can’t predict the future’. I understand this, I think I was just hoping for a kinder, more reassuring response. Does anyone have any experience of this? I really need to stop feeling so sad!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Hollowvictory · 18/03/2019 14:55

Do you support her a lot at home, it makes a big difference

TeenTimesTwo · 18/03/2019 15:05

Some are 'behind' because they are young so haven't quite switched on yet.
Some are 'behind' because they are more interested in other things.
Some are 'behind' because they don't proactively do as much at home that helps or have parents that get them to do stuff at home that helps.
Some are 'behind' because they have as yet undiscovered SpLD.
Some are 'behind' because they just aren't very academic.

You just need to stay calm, keep encouraging build up of skills. Make sure you read every day even in the holidays. What will be will be.

TeenTimesTwo · 18/03/2019 15:12

I should add, both my DDs have turned out to have SpLD and be mid-low academically. Yes they won't end up with law degrees, but they can succeed and be happy at their own level.

You do your bit & expect the school to do theirs.
But getting stressed won't help anyone.

dreichuplands · 18/03/2019 15:17

I was horribly behind for most of primary school, then diagnosed with dyslexia. I ended up with several RG degrees. Honestly OP the first year is just that, dc develop at different pace.
My ds has been a slow developer academically but each year he gets better and age 10 has significantly strengths as well as development areas.
Work with the school and do plenty of reading.

Helix1244 · 20/03/2019 16:01

Which areas is she behind in?
I agree with pp the youngest in the year can struggle more.
You still have about a month till they do the eyfs profile? So you could make some difference in reading by then.
We could add stuff to their learning journal at home. I think the challenge is when it is several areas as you just dont have enough time at home.

Redskyandrainbows67 · 20/03/2019 17:42

Reception is about learning to enjoy school etc.
Just help her a bit more at home and take confidence she’ll catch up

queenqueenqueen · 20/03/2019 18:16

Sorry, what's spld?

Mammajay · 20/03/2019 18:18

Spld specific learning difficulties e.g. dyslexia

LIZS · 20/03/2019 18:19

SpLD Specific learning difficulty ie. Dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, auditory processing disorder et al which can coexist with adhd or asd traits. Have you checked hearing and sight/visual tracking? What areas is she lagging in?

queenqueenqueen · 20/03/2019 18:28

Thanks, my DC is in reception and is having SALT so thought it might be Speech Language Difficulty.. I don't do lots at home because quite honestly they are usually knackered when they get back and as PP said I just want them to enjoy school and reception year, to me, should be about that. Try not to worry too much OP xx

Thestral · 20/03/2019 18:36

Is she happy? When's her birthday? Most summer born children have caught up by year 3 if so.

Honestly, don't panic. It's reception - I've taught loads of kids for whom it's all just clicked into place at some point in year 1 or 2.

Original poster

SS80 · 20/03/2019 19:18

Thanks everyone. Her birthday is June - and yes she’s very happy in school. I also have 2.5yr old twins. With 3 kids to get through school I really need to build some resilience around this! I used to be so rational and level headed - what is it with having kids that makes you so much emotional!

OP posts:

Apple23 · 20/03/2019 19:32

Has she had her hearing and eyesight checked? Even a slight problem that isn’t noticeable day-to-day can be enough to mean that they are missing key information.

The questions you need to be asking are: What are they putting in place to support her, and What should you do at home to help? If you don't get answers, make an appointment to see the Senco and ask him or her.

Thestral · 20/03/2019 19:35

Aah she's just a baby.

Read lots with her, do loads of fun questioning about what you've read (what do you think Macca Pakka will do next type questions), and plenty of activities to build muscles in her ha face like play doh and drawing.

If you're really worried, have a chat with the teacher, but it's reception, and she's little. If she's happy and enjoying school, and is enthusiastic about going, you're winning!

Thestral · 20/03/2019 19:36

Ha face? Hands! Blooming autocorrect.

Tiredmum100 · 20/03/2019 19:45

I was behind until the last year of primary (year 2). I was also a June baby who just wanted to play. I think it was only the support of a good teacher who got me to focus before going to the junior school. I haven't done to badly in life. I managed to get 10 GCSES, 3 A levels and a degree lol. She's only little. Try not to worry too much but as others said try lots of things at home. My 5 year old is in reception and isn't interested in "drawing" as I he calls it (he means writing). He doesn't want to sit and colour, he wants to play and build with lego. I'm not worrying too much at the moment as I know he'll get there eventually.

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