Advice from teacher needed please

[jakethepeg]

Hi all

My son was born at 27 weeks and is 4 on Friday and starts school in Sept full time.

He has been discharged from the paediatrician and he has no worries about him at all. He had problems with his hearing and didn't speak until he was 18 months old after he'd had grommets fitted but has had no major health worries since he was born. He had a grade II brain bleed after birth and we were warned he might not walk/talk etc so we are so delighted with him.

He attends a private nursery 2 days a week and is thriving there, he concentrates well, joins in with everything, can recognise his name, write a few letters, count etc etc.

The paediatrician told me not to mention he was prem to the school as he is fine and there is no need to mention it. I was always going to tell the school as I think I want everyone to know how great he is and also so they can be aware just in case he does have any problems with writing/concentration when he has to start reading/writing.

Are there any primary teachers out there? Would you say I should tell the school about his birth or just leave it and let him be a "normal" child at a brand new school with nobody knowing his rough start?

I am very protective of him and he is my only child so I am aware I may be being over the top and wanting to protect him from criticism at school but dyslexia/concentration issues are something he could have from his brain bleed and we were told these wouldn't become an issue until he was at school.

You can tell I am a worrier can't you!!

not a teacher but wanted to jsut say to you that he will be one of the youngest when he starts and that makes a huge difference in terms of development.
mine wont be 5 till July yet soemof the kids in his class were 5 in sept/october last year.

What i am trying to say in a daft way is, dont let his prematurity cloud your opinion of his development and try not to compare him to his peers. Dont be unduly worried if he isnt performing as the others are.

also just want to say that you have an amazingly resilliant little superstar there, let him show you what he can do....you will be amazed every single day when he finds his little feet at school.

Dh ( primary teacher) says no need to tell the school unless he has specific difficulties or developes them in future. Let him be.

He sounds a delight by the way! (read your other thread)

Hello!

I would mention it to the teacher, but not make a big thing of it. Forewarned is forearmed and all that. That way his teacher will be more on the lookout if things do not go as smoothly as you would hope.

Worry away, it is your job

P.S I am a Primary teacher

As a reception teacher I would want to know as much as possible about the children in my care. Two years ago I had a little boy in my class who had a similar start in life to your son and his mum asked to meet before he started so that we could be prepared should any issues arise. He was and is a delight to know and popular with staff and children as I'm sure your child will be.