My son is one of the youngest in his Year Six class. He is doing quite well academically, but his teacher says he sometimes finds it hard to concentrate for long periods. He is very immature and finds it impossible to look after his things. When he recently went for a day visit to his future high school he lost his bag and sweatshirt. I think it would benefit him to do an extra year in primary school. Should I talk to the principal?
You would not be the first parent of a Year Six boy to feel this way. Generally, the maturity of boys is way behind girls at this point in their education and they can sometimes appear very young and even silly. This immaturity can lead to a lack of focus in class or difficulty concentrating for periods of time, as well as behavioural decisions that are not wise or thought through.
However, you would be surprised to see that many of them mature after only a year at high school. They have often matured significantly and responded well to the new structures and routines.
The most important thing to consider in this case is your son's self-esteem. The effect of keeping him down a year could be very detrimental as he watches his friends move on. Often, it is the case that the younger the child, the easier the transition, if it must be made. Year Six is late to consider this move.
Remember also that the other children in his current primary school would know the situation and not all of them would understand. Children can be very cruel.
There is no doubt that, for some students, repeating a year can help them consolidate concepts and skills, but in your son's case there are other factors to consider. His social and emotional development is vitally important.
Every student reacts differently. Some may be quite resilient and adapt very quickly, benefiting from feeling that they are the oldest in the class. This can help them rise to the challenge of being more responsible and a role model in the school.