Reports

[candlefloozy]

Had my child's report today. She's done very well but it repeatedly says that she needs to build on her confidence. How the heck do I do that?? She's five!!

Drama classes? Encouraging her independence in solving problems at home and school?

DS's reports have always talked about his confidence (mine did too, but at least his now talk about gaining some confidence, he is now in secondary school)

Is she old enough to join something like Rainbows? DS joined Beavers and he has worked his way through the scouting movement and it has really helped him. Beavers start at 6, so she is too young for that.

She does three classes a week. She's been doing dance since she was three. I'm just unsure how else to build it up. I'm always encouraging her but now I'm wondering whether I've been doing something wrong

Rainbows was dire for my kids, badly run unit in the local area not the organisation as a whole... but flipping heck Beavers really really did spur my eldest (who lacks confidence completely) right out of her comfort zone and brought her confidence on no end... also been brilliant for my younger child with SN who has accessed so much with some gentle support and scaffolding. Well worth getting on the waiting list for that since they hit Beaver age during Y1.

"Need to build confidence" is nothing to worry about for 5 years old, unless she is extremely shy and you have some concern already. You said she has done really well, so, I assume no concern for other things. Maybe the teacher thinks she does so well, but can be even better with more confidence. I wouldn't worry too much, unless you have some concern about her already.

I think that some teachers forget that children develop different skills at different rates. Don't fret, she will become her own person in time. We don't have to be all the same.

A good report needs to say what you need to work on, that doesn't mean you have been doing anything wrong, or the child is in any way failing.

Mr Bolt has been running very well, but should work on getting out of the blocks quicker.

Reports are facts, not criticisms.

Thanks for responses all. She does seem fairly confident to me and when I mentioned it to another parent they were shocked and said that she always comes across as confident. She has done really well and I think you're all probably right that it's just something for her to work on.

Girls are often very confident with what they know, but not very good at taking risks or trying something new. Encouraging her to try things and rewarding effort is very important for girls.

@Lonecatwithkitten I think you've hit the nail on the head. Spoke to her dad and he thinks it's more when she's unsure and has to do new things. I think I've mis read everything. I did speak to her today about being anxious in situations and have examples of when I'm nervous

DD's teacher said this about her at that age. However the teacher made suggestions about what the school could do eg encourage her to put her hand up in class, speak in class assemblies etc. Might be worth speaking to her class teacher next year and see what they think.

@FrancesHaHa people that know her seem shocked that they've said it about her. I'll see how next year goes and see what they say in her first parents evening and then go from there. Might also be a clash with the teacher. Or stronger personalities in the class.