DS (5) in year 1 with SEN literacy and numeracy - advice needed

[ToddlersRFab]

Morning All

This is my first post in this section.

DS is struggling with literacy and numeracy and is in target groups at school. However, the school are still saying that he is really struggling and finding it very hard, even with the small group and one to one sessions. He has not had a formal assessment yet, but that is the next step. I will be discussing this with the SEN person next week.

In the meantime, can anyone give me any advice on what action I could be taking to help DS.... ie private tuition, what I should be requesting from school etc.

I know it is early days, but as all parents, we all want our children to have the best chance of survival at school.

Hi ToddlersRFab
I agree we all want the best chance for our children.

I have a son with Aspergers Syndrome diagnosed in year 4 who has just turned sixteen.

When you have a child with special educational needs you may have to become an expert at working with the school etc. to get the best for your child.

I work as a teaching assistant in key stage 1.

I recommend you ask his class teacher and the SENCO to tell you where his main difficulties lies.
Is he struggling with reading. Find out about the phonics system the school uses and how you can support him with this. The school I work at uses Read Write Inc. There is a teacher training on line site with some short videos. You can also find some free materials online TES, You Tube etc. Enjoy reading to him and ask him questions about the books ,nursery rhymes you share. Act out the story.

Is he having difficulties with spoken language expressing his ideas, comprehension etc. and if so can he take part in a small talk group. Does he need help with fine or gross motor skills. Numicon is a fantastic multi sensory resource to use to build up his numeracy skills. You could ask the school to use it with him. I recommend using it at home also. Make maths part of every day life. My daughter learnt quarters from sharing pizza.

If it was my child I would find out what steps they have take so far to help him and what steps they are taking next. Welcome all support the school suggest including formal assessment. Bring a partner/ friend to meetings at the school to take notes and for support. You could ask the teacher if it is possible for you to come in and observe a lesson.

As for private tuition yes one to one support should help but the tutor would have to have expertise in working with a child with SEN.

I think I would ask the school to break down basic targets that we could work on him learning at home. They will have heaps of targets to suggest.

Hatice - Thank you for the sound advice. The school have gone through what his difficulties are, and he has improved in counting and phonics, and now his writing is the worst area. However they are concerned that he is so far behind. He has targets to achieve.

I do work with him every day on these, and I will now concentrate on writing practice, making it as fun as possible.... we have started writing a story together, but I will make DS do more of the writing going forward. And I include as much as possible in everyday life into a lesson of one sort or another.

I have contacted some tutors on line, and one of them locally specialises in reaching children with SEN.

My plan now is to talk with the SENCO, ask her advice on an external tutor, and take it from there.

On the plus side, DS really wants to learn - he just finds it hard. So I empathise with him quite a lot when we are doing tasks that seem hard, and we do it together first time around, and then let him take the lead when he has more confidence.

Thanks again everyone, and I will have a look on line at the websites.