Tomorrow there are a lot of young children aged 6-7 and 10-11 about to start their SATs at school.
For those not in the UK these are tests that are required to be taken to gauge children’s progress in Primary School.
Though I agree we need to see how children are doing, the world does not revolve around Grammar, Spelling, Writing, Reading and Maths… Many children do not have these 2 subjects as their strong points.
But the system tells us that using these results we can see if the children are learning, and progressing at the correct rate.
Really? What about that artist, or musician, or scientist even. That dancer, nurse, hairdresser, or vet? Each child is unique, and has a talent. It’s up to us to nurture that talent too.
I know we need to have an element of success in literacy and numeracy to succeed in most things, but the pressure put on children so young is immense. Children don’t learn or progress at the same level. They don’t all even learn in the same way. Many children are almost written off because these tests tell the government that these children are apparently below par.
It’s important as teachers, and as parents, that we instil the self confidence in our children to know that whatever these results, they are still brilliant at something.
Many of these kids will pull it together, maybe later than others, but with the right encouragement, they will get there. And who should encourage them? Who should be their biggest cheerleaders?
It’s us parents. Mums and dads.
Don’t make them feel that these tests, and things like the 11+, are the be-all and end-all of school life… For some children, that negativity, and pushing to achieve something that might not be within their grasp, can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Kaput! There goes the child’s thirst for learning….
Be there. Support your child. Give them all the help they need, and if, despite the help, they don’t achieve the scores you wanted them to, don’t berate them. Comfort them, and show them, high light their great points, because they do have them.
Boost their confidence, so they don’t feel like learning and school is worthless for them.
Tests.
Personally I really don’t like them, but I know they are a necessity. Just don’t let them and their scores rule your life. And the way you are with your child.
Good luck to those sitting them though! Unfortunately I can’t change that!
But I Smile Anyway... 
May 10, 2015 @ 18:31:00
I loved everything you said in this post! I live in the States and the only SAT’s we take are right before college, IF someone wants to go to a 4 year college. I believe that schools are giving kids way to much homework when they should be outside playing and being gasp a kid…shocker I know.
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May 10, 2015 @ 19:02:14
Its true, and the thingbus parents think teachers are putting their kids under pressure, and push their kids harder, and the teachers know they are pushing kids to over their limits sometimes, but it’s because they HAVE to, because it’s been dictated to them…
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May 10, 2015 @ 18:30:49
Ritu – Happy Mother’s day – let your day shine for you!
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May 10, 2015 @ 19:00:29
Thank you Mihran! 😊
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May 10, 2015 @ 16:08:34
Just dropped by to say hello and wish you a happy mothers day
Hope all is well
As always Sheldon
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May 10, 2015 @ 18:04:27
Thank you Sheldon! 🙂
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May 10, 2015 @ 12:51:00
There is so much pressure on them to do well. Miss Hap took her 11+ last year and was fortunate to get through. We did a couple of practice runs in the summer hols but i didn’t push it as she wasn’t that bothered! She had also just started at a brand new school that had just been built so had to go back to her old school to take it. I was surprised that there had been a special club during the holidays for them to go to in order to help them get through the 11+. Also so many parents had paid lots of money for extra tuition for some kids that unfortunately still didn’t make it. It seems to be all about targets and figures! I am proud of my daughter but would have been just as proud if she had not gone to Grammar school.
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May 10, 2015 @ 14:05:53
My thoughts exactly Judy!!! We need to encourage them where they are capable, and support where they need it too…
And not be down on them if they can’t necessarily achieve…
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May 10, 2015 @ 14:07:24
Yes, too true. Some patents expect way too much from their kids. Some are just not academic and have other qualities which should be encouraged.
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May 10, 2015 @ 14:40:18
Yup, and I say this as a parent who has a child who isn’t academic….
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May 10, 2015 @ 14:44:33
It annoys me now that all nurses have to have degrees. Some of them that come through know all the academic stuff but are ‘too posh’ to wash a patient or, God forbid, clean them up after an accident. Other people who are brilliant with patients but get stressed in exam, conditions or don’t have the right qualifications to go to Uni, will miss out because of this, Crazy.
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May 10, 2015 @ 15:37:54
See, its across the board… Its not fair!
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May 10, 2015 @ 12:36:28
Well said Ritu. Its a breathe of fresh air to hear this from a teacher. As a parent all you hear from teachers usually is “they should be at this level or that level” or they need to be achieving this grade cos its the national standard” again well said and i agree there skills and learning rate should be nurtured not clasified to a standard this just puts too much pressure on children at an early age.😊
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May 10, 2015 @ 14:04:16
The thing is, most teachers think like me, but, we are still conscious of the fact that there is a national standard, and like it or not we are all judged on it…
But I find it hard that sometimes parents can also have an unrealistic outlook as to what their child is capable of achieving… And they can sometimes be harder on the child than school….
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