Reflection on Reception - August Babies
- ESDIL
- Jul 5, 2016
- 3 min read
Apologies for the irregular posting, it’s a combination of too much going on, and a little case of writers block…
So the last few weeks has been a bit of a blur, lots of home admin, lots going on at school, at home, and the return of my parents from their annual Spanish holiday. I’ve never been so happy to see my Dad at home. Why?
Meanwhile, we are a mere 2 weeks away from the end of term. The end of Miss A’s first year at school, and we’re also planning her 5th birthday party.
When we were trying for Miss A, I never gave the time of year a second thought. We just wanted a healthy baby! But before I had my first scan and I told people my due date was August 16th, the response was a resounding “well you need to keep your legs crossed a little longer”. (If only I had had that advice a few weeks earlier…)
It never crossed my mind about my baby being the baby of the class. My scan confirmed a due date of the 8th, so we never really had any chance of waiting till September, and babies arrive when they fancy, which in Miss Ava’s case was the 13th.
We always knew she would turn 4 and go to school 2 weeks later, and this worried me. A LOT. After I went on to have Miss I, we kept Ava in her nursery to help prepare her, and certain tasks which she would require at school were at the forefront of our mind as we attempted to prepare her.
Trying on the Uniform // Cheeky girl // Summer Uniform
The time came, and actually, apart from being 4/5 inches shorter than some (which was probably inevitable with my genes anyway) she didn't seem that much different. I would say even now the only difference between the girls who turned 5 on days one and two of school (!) and Ava and the 2 other late August babies (20th and 31st) is a couple of missing front teeth. If I hadn’t attended most of the birthday parties over the course of the year I probably would be able to identify whether a particular child was an Autumn, Spring or Summer term birthday.
So, as I reflect on her first year at school, I can absolutely say the following:
School has been fabulous. Miss A has positively thrived. She adores her main teacher Mrs SB, her other teacher Mrs W and the classroom assistants too. At parents evenings we hear the same amazing feedback - that she’s a joy to teach, and is doing well in all areas. From our perspective she’s confident (sometimes overly so); has learned to read, and as I discovered yesterday - is far from being behind - she’s one of the most advanced in her class for reading. Her handwriting is particularly neat for her age, even though it’s not something she particularly likes to practice, as her hand gets tired very quickly.
I’m so proud of her, something I try to ensure I tell her regularly.
Being a star in the christmas play // Lunch certificate // Ready for Woodland School
So looking back, and forwards, I don't believe that she is at any disadvantage being an August baby. if anything, I have no idea what she would have done if she’d been at home with me for another year. She was absolutely ready for school, and I have no doubt that Miss I (birthday 23rd August) will be the same. I’m currently attempting to find her a local nursery place.
And on the positive side, they’ll never be at school on their birthday and we SHOULD always be able to have a party in the garden, if the good old British weather do as it’s meant to. Fingers are firmly crossed for the 13th and 20th, as otherwise my house is going to get trashed!!
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