How do I prepare my summer born for starting school in September ?

[gottenrotten]

My DS is summer born and I've considered delaying his school start, but no one thinks this is a good idea preschool/ wider family/ next doors dog . I would need evidence to delay his start to reception and his preschool day his delays are specific and not in all areas. Mainly communication delays. So they won't support me. Blah blah they say he'll be fine, get extra support in school ( I doubt that, but anyway for whatever reason I've found that schools / preschools won't admit that summer borns have a worse deal. It would be like saying they are bad at their jobs.)

Anyway so it looks like I'll have to send him at just 4. How can I make sure he's prepared? At present he can't write / draw ( no interest) won't sit still for stories, so I guess I need tips on improving focus and pen control. He doesn't know his numbers or shapes. He only knows colours. What else will he need to know? It breaks my heart to think he'll start off being behind. He's hard to teach anything to that doesn't interest him. Colours has been easy as I've done it as in "pass the red car. " Shapes is proving impossible and he won't count things.

The most important thing you can do for your DC is to talk to him. Whatever you are doing, give a running commentary. Talk to him every minute that you are together.

I wouldn't worry about numbers if he is not interested but you could make a game of counting as you are out and about, count the steps, count the cars, etc.

If he is not interested in writing/drawing, how about a chalk board on an easel to encourage big movements?

He's still very young and September is a long way away.

These are the skills that really help:

1. can go to the loo completely unaided
2. can blow own nose (bonus points if they can also bin the tissue)
3. can carry a tray and use a knife and fork in the standard way OR can open own lunchbox and deal with any packaging/containers you are likely to put in there
4. can get in and out of coat, and get one on and off a peg
5. can change shoes (possibly clothes too) for PE - leaving whatever they've just taken off together and where they can find it
6. sit still for a short story
7. follow simple instructions (including two step ones like: put your book in your tray then stand by the door)
8. recognise own name written down (handy for labels)

Just work on...

Doing up buttons, zips, putting shoes on, going to the toilet, washing hands, how to peel a satsuma. It's that kind of thing you really need.

What meditrina said. Self management rather than writing or reading necessarily. I’d add learning the word no applies to them too.

I have two late August children. They were fine.

Exactly what Meditrina said.
But I also agree, constant conversations. And get him to do stuff for you “can you get me three potatoes please” - that kind of thing

I agree with Med and other posters; working on that level of independence is definitely good to focus on. I too had a late August starter last year, and being a little shy and petite I felt like it would be too much for him, but I'm so glad I didn't hold him back. He was still in pull ups at night when he started (that's a whole other thread), but you'll be surprised at how many other children have things they struggle with/are behind on, and being with their peers can have a real positive impact. The teachers told us the first half term was mostly spent getting them used to the classroom, structure, and learning how to get changed for PE without taking ages! Also, I'm not sure how it is for other schools but for my sons it had a staggered start, so he did one morning and one afternoon the first week, then half days for the next 3 weeks, and only started full days around the beginning of October. Then it was only a matter of a few weeks and there was a break for half term. I found it really helped my son settle, so hopefully your school may have a similar approach.

My daughter was just 4 when she started school she was like yours at this time of year. The talking did come but even when she started she couldn't speak brilliantly (doesn't shut up now!). I was quite firm that I wouldn't do reading/writing with her as the school will teach her. She could wipe her bottom and sort of dress herself. The school were great. She's struggles a bit now (year 1) but more tiredness than anything else

Asking open ended questions to support your dc in speaking in full sentences, e.g. instead of asking, "Would you like apple or orange juice?" and expecting a one word answer, rephrase to "What would you like to drink?" and expecting, "I'd like a cup of water please".

No tips but I just wanted to point out that he'll be 25% older next September than he is right now, so don't panic that it doesn't seem ready yet, he doesn't have to be!

Coat on and off, and buttoned
Shoes on and off and done up
Getting changed into pe kit is great
Recognise own name, writing is fab.
Carry a tray of food
Pour a drink from a jug
Sit on bottom and listen to a story
Respond to questions about a story
Happy to mark mark
Recognise numbers to 10/20
Be polite
Have an understanding of how to work with a group