Can we have a chat about the difference between Reception and Year 1? I think my lovely boy is having a bit of a "dip in form".

[Anchovy]

DS has gone into Year 1 this year, and I think is finding it all a bit harder than he thought he would.

He's an absolutely lovely boy - cheerful, good natured and easy going. He is old for the year, was in the pre school and bright as a button (did I mention he was my PFB ) so I think, frankly, coasted through a lot of the Reception year.

This year just seems to be a lot harder - and I think the teacher is much stricter with them (the TA used to give them a cuddle when they got a bit overwhelmed in Reception). Poor old DS has been a bit unpredicatable at home and is saying that he finds writing hard (his writing is actually quite good to my eye and from a quick look at the thank you cards we have had), that maths was hard and he seems to have been sent to the "Concentration Table" a few times for general loafing and chatting.

His reading is fine and he has some nice mates who all play very well together but he just seems a little bit tired and squashed.

I'm trying to make sure he gets a lot of sleep, has a good (and frankly slightly boring) routine, isn't doing too much new stuff (I said yes to judo but no to a musical instrument) but does anyone else have any ideas on what to do to reinflate him, or will it just pass?

I suspect he's just having a few difficulties adjusting to the change. They do expect a lot more of the children in year 1 compared to reception. If you have concerns though then speak to his teacher and ask her advice.

I would say it will pass. I remember DD1 coming home from her first day in year one and saying in absolutely horror - Mummy there are no TOYS in the classroom and they make you WORK all the time.
DD2 and DD3 have not had the same problem which I put down to the fact that we moved and our present school is much more laid back so the transition is easier. In many schools there is an enormous gulf between reception and year one, but they do adjust eventually.

My dd1 was very upset when she moved from reception to yr1 and it took her weeks to settle in. She has always been very confident but the change was just too much for her.

I made sure that she did more or less what she liked after school, ie watch tv, play, whatever, until she got used to her new routine.

She is now in yr 5 and a very bright, confident well adjusted girl, with lots of friends and a great relationship with all of the teachers.

Oh Anchovy - I'm so glad you started this thread because my ds1 is exactly the same.

We were nervous about him starting in reception but he loved it - positively bloomed, but is finding year 1 so far a real struggle. He says it's "hard work" and just isn't happy at the moment.

He struggles with his reading so one thing we did was to ask the teacher to give him reading books the level lower for a while - restore a bit of confidence, as he was in tears every evening trying to read the next stage books. This has helped - and alerted the teacher to our concerns.

He's very tired so I'm tending to put him to bed slightly earlier - in bed by 7pm rather than 7.30pm and he crashes out.

I think hopefully time will sort things out - they'll adjust to having to do slightly harder things in a less baby-ish setting. But we're already thinking that next summer we'll do regular reading and writing - did bugger all this summer!

Year one was a HUGE shock for my son and myself. It is so different to Reception. The tables are laid out differently. The children are expected to bring messages home much more than in Year R and there is very little playtime. They have to earn Golden Time for a Friday.

Reception to year one is a HUGE jump (too big in my opinion) from hours of child initiated (when children play with particular toys eg construction, role play area) a day to half an hour a week. I'm not surprised so many children find it hard. I'm sure he will settle into it, if you are concerned you could ask the teacher what you can do to help but to be honest he'll just have to get used to it (and he will). Sorry

Hi, I am a TA in reception and have been one for 8 years now. There is a big difference between yr 1 and reception and many children find it hard to adjust. Reception is much more playbased and hands on. In yr1 they will be doing a daily literacy and numeracy lesson and it is all a lot more ordered. It is tiring but I am sure your ds will adjust and start enjoying himself again.

My youngest ds had just started high school and is exhausted, so I am hoping he will soon adjust as my other ds did.

we were lucky in that our kids' reception year was deemed too strict and they have since made it more play based

meant that it wasn't such a big leap to year 1 .. DS responsed very well to both years luckily although I know some children found reception tough

I can't quite work out if everyone else is coping and he is floundering or whether they are all like it.

I think part of the problem is that he just floated through Reception (how smug we felt!) and so this is all a bit of a reality check.

Poor little poppet - he's started judo, and they do swimming every week, and he's learning how to ride a bike, and he's got two wobbly teeth - it doesn't really feel fair to make him do maths as well!

I would try not to worry too much.

Lots of children go through these sorts of 'dips'. Somethings they shoot ahread, and then may plateau for a while, draw breath and then shoot on again.

IME (even at secondary school) boys often find it harder to cope with change than girls. They also often hate to have to settle down and do some work, and this goes on to the sixthformers,even those aiming at Oxbridge!

Give him time, let him destress at home and I bet it passes. If he is still the same the other side of half term, have a word with the teacher

Is he struggling with his handwriting or his writing?

In our yr 1 last week the children were writing sentences for a beginning, middle and end of a story. One or two sentences per section was expected but quite a few found it difficult to even think of words let alone write them down. It will come though!

Anchovy - ds1 is adamantly refusing to join the after school sports club which started for year 1s, even though he loves sports, is brilliant at running and wants to have a go at tennis. Very frustrating but we're not insisting he goes because he's obviously feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment. Poor little mites.

DD1 is now in yr2 and is having the same types of problems she had when moving from reception to yr1. Ithink each yr it gets harder and stricter.

Well personally, I think its mad to have such a huge leap between Reception and Year 1. They are still very little. Of course there will be a little more structure in the way of writing, reading and maths but NO toys? Stuff like Lego and other construction toys are fantastic IMO and there are loads of great educational games which con kids into thinking they're having fun while they are still learning loads.

No wonder your poor ds is finding it tough, Anchovy. Do they do much in the way of crafts, music, drama etc.? And I really disagree with having to 'earn' Golden Time/Free Choice time on a Friday afternoon. Most kids of this age are pooped by then and need some time to chill and play in my experience.

LOL MB, thanks, I shall view it as DS consolidating rather than floundering.

Dottydor I think it is definitely a confidence thing. I am doing a lot of boosting his confidence. I'm just wondering if he might be a bit of a perfectionist as well, so isn't reacting well to not being able to do things well (in which case now is a good time to start learning!)

Honestly, they all do this sort of thing.

Sometimes, when they have found a level very easy, they do 'rebel' a bit when things get harder and they actually have to work. And you can't blame them really , can you?

Which of us says, 'Good oh, masses of really challenging stuff to do today, I enjoy it so much more than kicking back and watching day time TV'?

Yes, I think DS is borderline indignant about the expectation to work and not loaf around talking about Thunderbirds or the Titanic!

Thanks for contributions on this thread.

We have a parents evening after half term and I thought I would wait until then to speak to the teacher - its nothing serious .

Am "glad" to hear its not just him - hope you get on ok Dottydot.