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304

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 20:46

We had parent teacher conference today for my FS1 son and the teacher said that the first term is all about the emotional and social aspects of interacting in the classroom. They haven't even started looking at writing! I would be a bit worried about pushing too much too soon - after all they have another 13 or so years at school! Don't want to burn them out and make them hate school so young.

Hello.Again.Kitty

1861

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 19:21

yes, tell her she ought to re-familiarise herself with the curriculum she's meant to be teaching - EYFS still focusses on "mark making" at that age, and picture-perfect numbers aren't part of that. You can train a child to write numbers or recite the alphabet at a very early age if you work hard enough, but you won't have taught it anything, let alone the love of learning and exploration that'll see it through its academic life. Besides, is he going to be writing any cheques on his own any time soon? Where's the relevance?!

LouiseBerlin46146

115

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 18:47

She sounds horrid! Maybe she is trying to give him a backhander in some warped way. I started reading at 2 yrs old yet I had a hard time from teachers picking me up on irrelevant things. Your son is probably very intelligent and she can't bring herself to say so...

worried12342824

137

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 19:28

What a cow! He's four, give him time.... Besides, often the brightest ones have bad handwriting- their hands can't keep up with the speed of their thoughts!

GattaMatta46817

348

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 18:44

I would be less worried about her saying it in front of other parents and extremely concerned about her saying it in front of him, a 4 year old does not need to hear that they are "weak" at anything. also agree with responses below, i still struggle with the idea of school here starting so young anyway. Good point - I didn't make it clear in the OP but he wasn't listening and fortunately has bags of confidence. He thinks he can do anything and everything!! Which is true, maybe his teacher can't anymore and that explains the acid behaviour?

426

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EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 17:24

I would be less worried about her saying it in front of other parents and extremely concerned about her saying it in front of him, a 4 year old does not need to hear that they are "weak" at anything. also agree with responses below, i still struggle with the idea of school here starting so young anyway. Good point - I didn't make it clear in the OP but he wasn't listening and fortunately has bags of confidence. He thinks he can do anything and everything!!

1236

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 15:42

Am also shocked that there should be any kind of academic expectations of a 4 year old. There are some countries where chlldren don't start (proper) school until 6 years old.

kiwispiers15400

2782

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 14:09

I would be less worried about her saying it in front of other parents and extremely concerned about her saying it in front of him, a 4 year old does not need to hear that they are "weak" at anything. also agree with responses below, i still struggle with the idea of school here starting so young anyway.

426

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 13:52

Thanks so much for your responses ladies. Feel much better now! :)

104

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 10:03

He's poor at writing numbers at age 4???? What is this world coming to? Seriously!!! My concern at that age for all 3 of my kids were if they were playing well with the other kids in the class nicely. Honestly, I wouldn't worry about it, I had Parent/Teacher conferences this week for my grade 3 and grade 4 boys. Sitting with my sons grade 3 teacher looking at his work I said "his handwriting is not very neat" and she said "Don't worry about it, I don't put alot of emphasis on that because everything is going computerized, its not a skill he will be assessed on" Kinda sad in a way - but that is the way of the future - don't worry about it, it will come eventually - just like the multiplication table - eventually they'll get it. :)

1618

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EW EXPERT

Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 09:39

I think your teacher is expecting way too much at this stage. My son went into FS without being in nursery first and couldn't write, it wasn't till the end of FS 1 that they started writing up till then they did letter and number recognition and formation by painting or gluing things on to shapes. I would also ask the teacher that if she has any concerns in the future could she address them privately.

80

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 08:43

https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DCSF-00261-2008 Have a look at this link for the EYFS which is the UK early years curriculum devised by experts in early childhood. The curriculum is the best the UK have produced for the early years and relates more the excellent practice in Australian EY's and Scandinavia. The end of Foundation Stage expectations are for children to have had a go at writing numbers and other symbols in play situations NOT writing them on meaningless worksheets. If your FS1 child is happy to have a go and can tell you what their mark making means then that is great. Beyond that they may begin to recognise the numbers related to birthdays and other meaning ful events. I would be interested to know the school, the teachers knowledge of the EYFS and their understanding of child development! You could ask to have a look at the curriculum with the teacher so she can show you where these expectations are coming from?

160

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EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 08:09

@Greenish, your response was outstanding. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. I totally agree with everything you so eloquently stated.

2340

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 05:17

:( While I loved the social interaction my then 4yr old got through attending school in Dubai, I really disliked the academic push on children who are just so young! He was at a British curric school (that I was very happy with) and one of the youngest in his class. I freaked out a little when 'they' suggested remedial handwriting tutoring for him and that he needed occupational therapy to improve his fine motor skills. I'm happy I had the courage to say (more politely than this ;) )..."Are you freakin kidding me? HE'S FOUR!" BEG - fast forward to now, he's about to finish Prep in Aus and he's thriving. He was the very bottom of his class academically in Dubai, and while he's not at the top now, he's doing really well. He is enjoying reading and writing and where I feel he should be for his age. I'd be more inclined to take the teacher to task over such personal discussions in front of other parents. There's enough pressure on kids without what teacher perceives as his 'weaknesses' being aired for all to hear.

426

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 19 November 2011 - 03:38

Recently at school pickup teacher tells me DS is 'very weak with writing numbers' in front of some other parents. DS is in FS1 & 4 years old. His 'handwriting' is not brilliant, but when we practice together I can at the very least understand the numbers that he is trying to represent. On a good day he can write little, neat numbers/letters but I accept that on the whole they are not really. She is very direct, as always, and though I appreciate the feedback I wonder if she is being unreasonable in her expectations of him? I don't really know what other 4 year olds are capable of?

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