Y3 boy’s low confidence especially in writing and reading

[SunshineHere21]

My son is very sociable and happy at school. He’s popular and is doing OK - not the most academic kid in his class and not the least. His two best pals are very academic and are on higher reading bands and it is really bothering him as he thinks he’s not good enough and ‘dumb’ This also seems to be the case with writing - I think they talk and compare things with each other. We have tried to explain that everyone learns at different paces and people are better at different things and that he’s doing great but he doesn’t it doesn’t seem to resonate. Any advice? Huge thanks in advance 🙏

Help him get better? It’s great that he’s keen to improve to do everything you can to help him with his reading and writing.

In year three they start having to write more and more, usually in books with smaller lines so it does become more obvious when your handwriting is untidy. He should probably do more things to improve his fine motor skills rather than sit practicing handwriting.

Another idea is finding an extra curricular that he can do that makes him feel good about himself so that if he feels unhappy about what is happening in the classroom he’s got another place in his world where he’s not struggling. Athletics is good as there is something for everyone.

There’s so much you can do with your child to help him. Read to him every night. Encourage him to read to you every night. Find books he really loves and buy them all and let him binge read them (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) anyone). Help him with his writing. Support his pen grip and buy him any pens that encourage a good pen/pencil grip. Reward him for writing. Encourage him to write about topics he’s interested in. Just engage. Engage. Engage.

I’ve got my children to top sets /two years ahead in reading by working in the holidays together. They take place in the summer reading challenges. I’ve purchased excellent apps to support them. We sit and for an hours maths together a day to keep them ahead. Honestly don’t discount your ability to improve this. Don’t just rely on the school.

My DS is only reception, so I don't have direct experience. However, I noticed that although he has known his letters and numbers since he was 2, he has zero interest in learning to read. We read lots to him and he didn't want to join the words together. I haven't wanted to push him, but remember my brother was similar and refused to read until he was 7 or 8, when he suddenly started reading chapter books as he found a series he liked. Stressed my parents out no end.

As I thought my son might be similar to my DB, 2 weeks ago we signed up for the Reading Eggs and Maths Seeds one moth trial. I was reluctant to, as I don't want to push him and we have avoided any ipad time before. However, he loves it and has made so much progress with both. I have only let him do if for a short time a few times each week and even this seems to show an improvement. Might an online app help?

I looked at lots of options and thought Reading Eggs and Maths Seeds looked like what we needed as my DS is so young, but for older children there seemed to be so many options and some free. Just to help them learn in a fun way and give them a little confidence.

Also, sure you do this anyway, but reading lots of fun books at his reading level or just above to him, to see if he takes to any and starts reading them himself.