Help - Staying back a year

[Ispy]

It's looking likely that we will be keeping my dd back a year. She is in senior infants (second year of primary school in Ireland)and is a young 5 turning 6 in May, making her the youngest in her class.

For those of you who have kept back a child (and those of you who haven't but can advise!) how do I handle this with my child.

My concerns are mostly about the social side of things: Getting left behind/being teased/called a baby etc...

I'm so down about this and would love to hear some encouraging words. Thanks

Bumping up

Anyone?

does she know the children in the class below?

Yes they play in the same yard. There are 2 classes in stream below her and she has a friend in one of the classes which might help.

If they can play together more so she has a best friend for the next year. How will the teachers explain to the class? I hope it will go wellxx She might be happy to be with her teacher and be in the same classroom.

Our school will typically hold back at either reception (1st year of school) or Year 2 (3rd year of school). Mainly these are the years preceding a significant jump in terms of expectations. The juniors are also separate from the infants, so it gives a chance for anyone staying in Year 2 not to have to mix with all of their now Year 3 friends.

In the cases that I know of the teachers have just explained that X is the youngest in the class and would actually be better off to be the oldest in the next class. They amalgamate into their new class pretty quickly tbh, especially as they are onlder within the year and mroe familiar with the routine than the ones moving up fromt he class below.

But this is a boys school so I suspect that the friendship dynamics amongst girls might be different.

My ds was kept back a year he went from being one of the youngest to one of the oldest(3 kids older in class)
He does`nt seem to mind or notice he plays with friends from both years at playtime:football

I am glad the school kept him back cos he can hold his own in class if they had put him in the year abouve he really would of struggled and that would knock his confidence and that is the worst thing that could happen

Good idea LadyMuck. There is actually one other child a month younger than her who won't be staying back : (

That's encouraging LB. DD is very sensitive. How did you explain it to him?

We said that it would be better for him in the long run,he would meet loads of new friends & that he would probs find the work easier (if he did it again).Could still see his mates at playtime and parties etc etc

Tried not to make a big deal about it to him
He just seemed to accept that

We played to his ego

The children in the class would think he was a BIG boy and would probarley ask him for help.He seemed to like that idea "being thought of as grown up"

Thanks LB. Bumping up again hoping more people will come along with their experiences, like when and how to tell dd etc..