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ewmoda

August born children starting school in September.

137

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 01 November 2011 - 22:08

My LO was born in August and due to start school in Sept 2012. (British Cirriculum)

It seems so unfair that she will be the youngest in the class and at a disadvantage as those born in September will be a whole year older!

Has anyone any experience / advice to pass on?

TIA

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57

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 12:40

What's the rush? What's wrong with sending them aged 5? I have to say I'm not a fan of sending 3 year olds to school...let them enjoy toddlerhood for as long as they can. kids grow up waaaaay too fast these days.

206

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 11:21

I'm born at the end of September and was allowed to join the school early, despite of being quite immature at that stage. I was always the smallest - as a grown up I'm rather tall :) and had some difficulties to cope for around 3 first years of school. However, after these few difficult years I learned to cope very well, never actually disliked the school, and admitted to Uni when 17 y/o. It may sound weird to most of you, but I feel that I've "gained" one year of my "real" life. :) Like my mom has given me a gift of life or something. I had a beautiful pre school time, just don't remember much of it. All begun with the school and I'm still thankful for this year of advance... It made me more relaxed as I always could just repeat whatever I was doing in early years, no age pressure. I personally believe the academic success of early years is *not* important, is not a predictor of the "success" or "luck" later in life. It all depends how the school and being sometimes a bit behind is interpreted at home and how the child's self esteem is developed by their parents. I was 21 when finished 4 years at University and happy to start my independent life rather early... That's my story, and may not be a good fit for you. Your decision depends on your LO, your own and family values, what you personally believe in... Because eventually, whatever you decide you go an extra mile for this decision only if it's close to your heart :)

179

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 11:21

A friend of mine was so concerned about her son being a July birthday she sent him back to school in a part of the UK with a June cut off date so he dropped back a year relative to Dubai but is in the right year for the school he is in now and one of the oldest. It's been the making of him so far, confidence so much higher especially in sport.

829

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EW GURU

Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 09:48

Any good teacher recognises age differences in their class. Also, certain assessments take into account a child's 'real' age as opposed to their school year. I have a summer daughter and she's not super bright but she's holding her own academically and socially in her class.

132

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 03 November 2011 - 09:35

I am an end of August birthday and went through the British system albeit many moons ago! I can't remember it being a disadvantage ever - there has to be a cut off somewhere! That's a point really, if it became the norm for August born children to defer for a year so that they are the oldest in the class then the July born would be the youngest and at a disadvantage so maybe they would want to defer and then the June children.... Perhaps everyone not starting school so young might be the answer. When my son was in reception (late July birthday) they did half days until the term of their birthday (so for him summer term). So 9-12 or 9-1 if they wanted to stay for lunch and play.I don't feel he was at a disadvantage academically but maybe in sports.

137

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 22:34

Thank you all for your feedback.. It is good to hear the positive comments especially from those who have been through it personally. I will certainly support my DD through her education and hope she will show the determination to succeed. Thanks

57

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 14:29

I am an end of August birthday and went through the British system albeit many moons ago! I can't remember it being a disadvantage ever - there has to be a cut off somewhere!

845

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 11:24

You didn't say if boy or girl? Boys are definitely disadvantaged by being the youngest in a class and starting school too soon. I have 3 sons and my eldest was by far the youngest in his class and it is a struggle all his school years.Not only in the class room but sport as well. When he did finish school he was still 16 so made it very difficult for him . So! Don't start them early is my thinking

cleanfreak36299

61

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 10:16

As a late August gal myself, I can say it never had any impact on me being the youngest in the class. In fact it was a nice novelty to be the 'youngest' and I can remember even back in primary school being looked after by my peers and teachers etc. it doesnt really play a disadvantage in my opinion.

274

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 10:10

My late august DD is now an adult. She was the youngest in her class at school, and, to be honest, the first few months were a struggle as she was so much younger and therefore less mature, than her peers. However, once settled, she sailed through primary school. Noticed the difference again mid way through Secondary . The really big difference was at university. She was so much younger (a couple of her friends from uni are 2+ years older) than everyone else. She left Dubai at only just 18, and went off to uni in what was essentially a foreign country even though it was her native one. That was a lot to cope with - for both of us. However, once settled in her home country she grew up PDQ. I have to admit that , even though she enjoyed her school days and successfully gained her degree, given the choice again - I would hold her back a year .

1617

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 09:12

My girls fall on either side of the divide as one was born in Sept and one in August. My August daughter is the youngest in the class and as others have said, I think it depends on the temprament of the child. My DD was in day nursery from age 6 months so by the time she joined reception she was pretty confident and had no issues fitting in, although she wasn;t as quick academically whereas my September daughter was very bright compared to her peers.

2725

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 09:02

Along time ago now, but my DD was born in August, she was the youngest in the class, we didnt have any real problems, other than she was a very shy girl, this maybe hindered her slightly, but she was able to keep up with all the other older kids.

5452

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 08:53

As someone whose DD is in a similar situation as the OP's, I would just go ahead and have her start FS1 next year. If you feel that she is really lagging behind during the school year, then request for her to repeat the year. The school will not like that so you will have to demand it.

914

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 02 November 2011 - 07:03

I've been following similar posts with interest as this applies to my DD born 29/08. I remember MIL who has been a primary school teacher in inner London for almost 40years desperate for me to have DD before the 01/09 as in her opinion and experience the youngest in the class is always at an advantage. DD went to nursery at 12months and loves it. Gets excited when we arrive and has had no seperation issues so far. Think it mostly depends on the personality of the child. We have now put her name down for starting school in 2013 (3years old) and will take the recommendation of the school and nursery before we commit. The schools that i have spoke to say that the younger children are split into 4 classes so Aug-Dec are in all in one class and so on because they do recognise that at that age there is huge differences. <em>edited by nutty on 02/11/2011</em>

137

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 01 November 2011 - 22:45

Shamat And Pomegranate - thank you very much for your replies. I had also read some information about how August-born children are disadvantaged by the British system. Shamat - it is good to get your perspective as a teacher. My DD is physically small but confident and bright but at this age it does seem such a gap. She is at nursery now and many of the children are 10-11 months older and they definitely seem to be much more advance in terms of fine-motor skills and cognitive skills such as recognizing letters and numbers. She is in FS1 at nursery now and starting big school at age 4 next year but I am really concerned that we should holder her back for another year. Pomegranate - the article and findings of the study is exactly what I'm worried about. That DD is forced through school at a level beyond her ability that would make her dislike school and under achieve just because of her 'unlucky' birth date.

Pomegranate35436

867

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 01 November 2011 - 22:23

Was reading an article today along similar lines.. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2055881/August-babies-likely-leave-school-16-binge-drink-suffer-bullying.html

624

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 01 November 2011 - 22:17

There is a huge division of opinion on this, although there is a lot of evidence to suggest that girls with August birthdays fare better than boys. As a teacher, I am a bit sceptical about how much difference it really makes. However, I have come across boys who do struggle a bit, simply because they are that bit more immature anyway. However I've also known this to be true of boys who are the oldest in the class, not just the younger ones! My August born 3 year old neice started in reception this year in the UK as the youngest in her class and strode in with no problems whatsoever! So ultimately I think it comes down to the confidence and maturity of the individual, rather than a blanket rule that can be applied on age alone. <em>edited by shamat on 01/11/2011</em>

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