Flexi schooling

I agree with some of the other posters that he seems far too concerned about issues that seven year olds just shouldn’t be worrying about. What will he be like at 17? It’s no wonder that in the last few years so many children seem to suffer with mental health problems, if they get so worked up about things that they cannot control. They are children, not mini adults.

That is totally different Suedonim. You must see that.

It's good that this generation of children are growing up to be aware of what goes on in other parts of the world. And to be caring.

SueDonim & Bluebelle you cannot stop children, not even really young ones being unaware of what is going on in the world, nor shut down discussion where they are curious. Some children will always be aware of these things at a precocious age

My interest in politics and news started when I was 4 and by the time I was 6 I was concerned about the Cold War and the show trials in the newly communist occupied Eastern Europe countries. My DS was similar and I have a GS, now 9, who was bringing up moral and philosophical queries by the time he was six. I can clearly remember having a discussion with him at that age on the morality of eating meat. He is aware and concerned about global warming and was one of the children interviewed when the local tv station came to his school to talk about the issue

Fortunately he is surrounded by adults who respect him and will discuss serious issues with him at his level. It doesn't stop him being a perfectly normal little boy who is football mad who wants to work with animals when he grows up.

Gonegirl he’s 7 there’s so much time for him to worry about world things it isn’t just about buying a toilet that’s so dismissive
sally says he’s worrying about children in under developed countries, animals, environment, global warming it’s one thing to have an interest in these things but she uses the words ‘worrying’ and that he’s ‘unhappy’ a 7 year old should be having fun and oblivious he sounds bogged down with cares and worries if he was 12 /13 I d say good on him for taking an interest but 7s a time for fun and being carefree not so anxious that he’s writing letters to the pope and green peace Poor little chap it must be frightening for him
If you do take him out of school for a day I d do some outdoor pursuits with him climbing trees walking in woods Finding pond life in streams, being at one with nature, gardening, growing his veg for his vegetarian diet etc anything other than compounding his fears with letter writing etc

Sorry, Gonegirl but I don't agree that 7yos should take on the worries of the world or that it won't overburden them. Two of my GC live in America and it's utterly heartbreaking to hear them express their fear that they might be gunned down in their own school.

Children have to know something of the adult world but it needs to be tempered and be only a small part of their lives at this age.

I think that the first thing to do is get an educational assessment. This could be done through the school or you can arrange one privately. Your GS sounds as if his ability level is somewhere in the range for gifted children.

45 years ago I had just such a child, He met your description of your GS almost point for point, although autism wasn't in the frame, although he was dyspraxic, which means problems with fine motor control, like writing and sport.

I have often wished I had either home schooled or flexi schooled him and I would not hesitate to do so today.

Missing lessons will not cause a problem as he will quickly grasp any concepts he has missed.

www.toilettwinning.org/ Toilet twinning.

There are some good magazines for children that would feed his interests. A subscription makes a good birthday or Christmas present. Just google magazines for children.

Please don't worry about him taking on the worries of the world! It's great for him and won't overload him. I bought a "sponsor a toilet" for people in the third world. They get a certificate they can frame and display. Anything like that is excellent for kids. Encourage him.

I do also think it’s so important to fit in and by being off one day a week would he stand out as different and get teased or miss out
I do so agree with suedonin is it good for him to be worrying so much about the world ( which is a bugger of a place at the moment) so much misery on those little 7 year old shoulders doesn’t sound good he sounds overwhelmed by it all when he should really be out playing and messing and not knowing too much about the adult problems

Are your GS's parents pursuing a diagnosis for him? Maybe they need to start there. They could also explore alternative schools.

I'd be quite concerned at a seven-year-old taking on such adult problems as you describe. He ought to still be living a care-free life but he sounds a rather anxious child.

I don't know how part-time school would work but good luck in finding a way round this.

He sounds like a busy busy boy with lots going on. Your daughter is right in thinking that he needs some down time each week in his hectic schedule, maybe to just sit and stare and relax. I'm not sure that removing him from school is the answer as that might not be good for his routine and feeling of security. Gonegirl is right that he would start to feel different from all the others, would miss out on class activities and might even lose friendships along the way. Maybe fewer clubs is the answer so as not to over stimulate him at age 7 years. Then he can gradually decide where he wants to channel his energies.

Not sure how that would fit in with preplanned schemes of lessons. If he missed the work in one lesson that was needed for the next lesson it would be hard for him.

UNLESS his mum/whoever prepared him for the missed work.

If I had my time again (and could afford to not work), I'd home school. And I'm a teacher!

He sounds an absolute darling of a little boy.

I have never heard of anyone doing this so can't give advice. I think, tbh, I might worry that he might miss things on the day he is away from school. And his friends might wonder why he is being different to them.

I think I would continue his schooling as it is now. It is quite normal for children to seem to be tired all the time, and to get every bug going. Your daughter is doing all the right things with the outside activities. He has is friends. Some children just are not lovers of school.

I don't think I would change anything. He sounds super. You must be proud of him.

Quick reply as off to appointment. I arranged this several times during my work as a Health Visitor / School Nurse. In those days, the Education Authority had liaison officers for exactly this situation. I would begin with with (of course the Head / Class teacher) then the Education Authority and School Nurse.
It may help to look at the local Education Authority website as they should have more specific info .
I should add that I retired 10 years ago!