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Advice needed - how to avoid the PFB trap at school.

5 replies

piprabbit · 26/01/2010 12:37

My DD is in Yr1 and seems to be struggling.
She thrived in Foundation, loved it all and as a result blossomed and was successful.

She has found Yr1 difficult to cope with from the start of the year. The joy seems to have gone out of her schooldays and she complains of being "bored", that the work is either "too easy" or that she is glad to be on a table of slightly less able children for numeracy because she "doesn't have to try so hard".

She is sounding like a bit of a madam who is bright but isn't engaged and as a result isn't bothering much - so she feels the days are dragging. Her HT said at the end of foundation that they would need to keep an eye on her to make sure she continues to be challenged.

Now, for the last week, she is complaining of stomach ache every day and is really trying to get out of going to school at all.

We've talked and I can't find any problems with friends/bullying/social things, she is adamant that she doesn't like school because it is boring.

She wants me to go and talk to her teacher - which is fine, but I'm not sure how to approach the matter without sounding either too critical of the teacher, or as if I'm only interested in her being 'best' at everything. All I want is for my little girl to come home bubbling and happy after a day at school - and I want to nip problems in the bud, before we get to the 'too cool to learn' age.

Any advice, before I go in with my size 10s and accidentally alientate the teacher, who I would really like to work with and not upset.

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smee · 26/01/2010 12:51

Why don't you just explain about the pretend tummy aches every morning and ask the teacher how DD seems to be in class? Let her talk for a bit and see if it makes sense, then gently say it's sad to see her unhappy. If you're really positive about the school and her teaching she won't take it personally I'd bet. Not sure if it helps, but from what I've read on here ots of children find yr1 tricky - we've had bouts of everything from extreme joy to 'I hate school'. Bit hard to know what to make of it imo.

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sprat1 · 26/01/2010 12:54

In year one the teaching becomes a lot more formal in many schools. If she was a child who got a lot out of the play based learning in reception she may be struggling having to do what the teacher asks rather than when she fancies and noitlearning in the way that comes naturally to her. I used to help in DS2's class and alot of the kids who said they were bored were actually struggling. (maybe not academically) Our year 1 is now also very play based. great for some but for others it just delays the shock of "real" school till year 2,. Worth seeing what the teacher says

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piprabbit · 26/01/2010 12:59

Thanks - will definitely make appointment to see the teacher. She already knows about the tummy aches as DD complains at school too - they give her a hot pack to put on her stomach, so am not sure if she enjoys the special attention and a trip to the office.

She is usually very good at concentrating and writes long stories at home, draws intricately detailed pictures and enjoys all sorts of activites - but something seems to be getting lost along the way when it comes to school.

Glad to hear we're not the only ones struggling.

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merrymonsters · 26/01/2010 13:00

Year 1 is a big transition for them. It is much more structured than reception. There is a lot less playing. I remember my DS1 being horrified that there were only two playtimes and lunchtime to play in.

I agree with smee. I'd just go in and talk to the teacher about the pretend tummy aches. Kids call all sorts of things boring. It doesn't mean that the work is too easy for her.

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piprabbit · 26/01/2010 13:07

Merrymonsters - She is actually saying the work is too easy... and I suspect that she knows she can get by with only 75% effort.

From a 6yo POV.... If you can get 9 out of 10 in your spelling test without having practised at all - why put in the effort to get 10 out of 10? And aren't spelling tests a waste of time?

Wish I could get her to be more enthusiastic about stuff.

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