DD struggling in year one - feeling v sad

[bojangles]

DD has started year one in her new school (we moved over summer) - she is in a mixed class with reception. The school is lovely very small and friendly and she has made new friends. She has never liked school and we hoped that some of the issues might be addressed in being at a smaller school. She is so sad and angry most of the time. She tells me she is sad at school and misses being at home she says she could 'just cry'. School say she is fine with them but there are a few literacy issues they want to monitor. She is very bright, articulate and creative but she is really struggling to read and her writing is incomprehensible and written backwards. She says she is 'no good' at reading and thinkgs reading and writing are boring. She is also very tired - she goes to bed around 6.30-7.00 but wakes up during the night as she wants cuddles and says she is lonely. She gets up before 6am and always looks tired. She gets really angry and can have anger tantrums lasting for 1-2 hours where she really is uncontrollable. She regulary says she feels poorly and wants to stay home.

We feel so sad for her and want to make it all better. I'm thinking that her literacy issues are either a complete lack of confidence or perhaps a sign of something more serious.

In desperation, has anyone got any suggestions comments. We have two younger DC's so it is completely exhausting.

Sounds like she might have dyslexia. This can be exhausting for children.

this book is great and will help you help your DD

Thanks ZippysMum - I was thinking the same as it would 'fit' with the way she is - any idea on where we go from here? I'm presuming a meeting with the teacher to let her know what is happening at home.

bump please

I would agree with Zippysmum about the dyslexia, sounds like a "classic case"(sorry) I hope you get to the bottom of it and see some happiness in DD x

Hi Bojangles,
I'd suggest you read the book I linked to - it will help you to decide whether you think that it sounds like your DD. There are some things you can do with your DD (like making a 3d alphabet with plasticine). Maybe raise it with the teacher too; the school may assess your dd and provide some extra support.

Support in schools for dyslexia is very hit and miss, which is why I suggest you and dd tackle this from home initially, giving dd strategies and understanding so she can help herself. The book is also useful in its approach as it views dyslexia as a 'gift'. This might help dd grow her confidence as it sounds as though she is frustrated and confused that she is struggling with written words when she finds other aspects of the work straightforward.

Hope that's helpful.

Really, really sounds like dyslexia to me. My DS3 was both number and letter dyslexic. He could only write and read the word 'look' because he said it looked like a pair of glasses He wrote line after line without a space in between, and if you put a mirror against his writing it read properly!!! He would memorise books so that when we started to do reading homework he would simply recite the page and he always knew if I had turned two pages.

He was very popular at school, very sporty and a big hit with the girls

Hiya Zippy, my friend [small hijack emoticon]

Hi Shabs!

Another night on the sofa with a twin nibbling on each side!

Awwwww I know how tired you must be but that sounds so amazing - so proud of you

Hello,

We moved to the UK a year ago, and even thoughw e speak English at home, my 6 yr old DS really struggled.

Because the school is small and lovely, he did settle in o.k.-ish. He would sometimes be homesick or sad, and whilst I am always sympathetic, I make a point of downplaying his sadness (ie by not dwelling on it too much, and by highlighting the good things about our new home and school, at the same time making sure I listen to him and give him a hug when sad, if that makes sense).

He definitely sleeps in his own bed, as I have other DS and need my sleep!

Like your DC, my DS is bright and good with maths but struggles with reading and writing. I have had quite a few chats with the teacher, and she has given him some extra homework, and advice.

She has also put him in an "early intervention" scheme, which gives him some extra one on one writing practice with the TA. The next step may be to get him Special Needs help. Having him qualified as SN was a bit of a shock, if I´m honest, but it just means he gets the extra help he needs. The Gvt. has a scheme, it´s cald No child left behind, or something like that, and schools have steps to follow in this kind of situation!

So go ask your teacher about Early Intervention and maybe even SN help. Good luck

Hi thanks to all for your comments and suggestions. I am seeing her teacher tomorrow to let her know what is going on at home. They seem really helpful so far so I'm hoping for a good response.