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SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

Help me understand

8 replies

PinkChampange · 27/04/2023 10:55

Basically what the title says.
My little one is getting bitten regularly by a child at nursery.
They are saying child is a SEN child and that he doesn't know what he's doing, they're giving child 1-1.

Is there anything my child could do to help this child make friends? What exactly is SEN? Internet is not helping me understand

It's upsetting to see my little one go through this, my little one did retaliate but I'd rather teach the correct way to be than resort to throwing punches, kicks ect

So please can anything help me and my LO understand.

Thank you

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 27/04/2023 11:43

'What is SEN' is a broad question.
At nursery level it often means some kind of delayed ability due to something like Autism, or global developmental delay.
It is likely the child is overwhelmed or cannot verbalise feelings so lashes out, or is still at the exploring the world with their mouth stage.
But that is all somewhat irrelevant.

The best thing is the child gets a 1-1 who removes the child before they hurt another and/or intervenes to stop it happening.

I'm not sure whether you can teach a nursery age child a 'correct way' bar keeping out of the way of teeth. But you can teach being understanding 'X doesn't see the world the same as most other kids, they don't mean to hurt you'.

If the nursery can't keep your child safe then ultimately you teach your child to stay away.

Original poster
PinkChampange · 27/04/2023 12:04

TeenDivided · 27/04/2023 11:43

'What is SEN' is a broad question.
At nursery level it often means some kind of delayed ability due to something like Autism, or global developmental delay.
It is likely the child is overwhelmed or cannot verbalise feelings so lashes out, or is still at the exploring the world with their mouth stage.
But that is all somewhat irrelevant.

The best thing is the child gets a 1-1 who removes the child before they hurt another and/or intervenes to stop it happening.

I'm not sure whether you can teach a nursery age child a 'correct way' bar keeping out of the way of teeth. But you can teach being understanding 'X doesn't see the world the same as most other kids, they don't mean to hurt you'.

If the nursery can't keep your child safe then ultimately you teach your child to stay away.

Thank you. I have said to say away. I just didn't know if there was a way I could get my child to help. LO pretty intellegent and will pick things up easily

unfortunately I've never been around any child with any special needs so I'm completely unaware. But thanks I'll keep telling LO to stay away and explain best I can. Again thank you for advice Smile

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 27/04/2023 12:07

I feel bad saying to stay away, but your child's safety should come first.
As and when the other child gets a 1-1 then hopefully the 1-1 can help the child interact with others safely.

FloatingBean · 27/04/2023 12:37

SEN covers anything that is a learning difficulty or disability that requires special educational provision to be made.

The nursery is providing 1:1. They should also be pursuing more support for the pupil, aiming to prevent escalation in the first place and better deescalate situations when they occur to keep everyone safe.

I'm not sure whether you can teach a nursery age child a 'correct way' bar keeping out of the way of teeth. But you can teach being understanding 'X doesn't see the world the same as most other kids, they don't mean to hurt you'.

^^ This, there is no one ‘correct way’. Talk about everyone being different, finding certain things easier/harder.

Original poster
PinkChampange · 27/04/2023 13:03

Okay thanks everyone as I said I've never encountered this so I don't know which is why I was asking for advice

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 27/04/2023 13:13

Parents of children with SEN can feel pretty isolated (like their children), so please carry on chatting to parent if you see them. It isn't their fault.

IsleofDen · 29/04/2023 19:34

If the child has 1-1 and is still biting other children regularly, there is something wrong with the setting. The whole point of 1-1 is to head these things off before they happen.

I had a “biter” for him it was a sensory thing that he did when he was anxious. It wasn’t nasty or an attempt to hurt anyone and it was easily deflected to a blanket or sensory toy, which the staff member should be doing. If it’s an anger response, again they should be looking to distract and remove the child from the situation, preferably in a positive way, before it escalates.

So if I was you, I would be expecting better from the nursery. They are failing both children if this is happening regularly.

Original poster
PinkChampange · 29/04/2023 22:34

IsleofDen · 29/04/2023 19:34

If the child has 1-1 and is still biting other children regularly, there is something wrong with the setting. The whole point of 1-1 is to head these things off before they happen.

I had a “biter” for him it was a sensory thing that he did when he was anxious. It wasn’t nasty or an attempt to hurt anyone and it was easily deflected to a blanket or sensory toy, which the staff member should be doing. If it’s an anger response, again they should be looking to distract and remove the child from the situation, preferably in a positive way, before it escalates.

So if I was you, I would be expecting better from the nursery. They are failing both children if this is happening regularly.

Thank you for your response I will look into this with the nursery

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