Reception Class Dilemma

[Sindylou]

My 5 year old son started school in September 06 and has recently started being reprimanded (fairly often) at school for what I see as being fairly trivial things i.e. yesterday he came home upset for being put on the grey cloud for fiddling with a chair when he should have been listening and you have ruined it for the others she said to him. She also made him sit by her on the naughty chair in front of the others. This isn't misbehaviour, it is a slight distraction surely. His teacher tells the children off quite severely and she has told me that my son takes this particularly badly - he cries a lot!. I can come up with a couple more instances which were not his fault and he seems to get singled out by her. He is a really good kid at home and I don't have to tell him off very often so this is a bit alien to me. He is starting to get a bit put off by school and I don't want this to happen because he used to love it. Should I have a talk with her do you think?

[andy-hughes]

Definitely have a chat with your son's teacher.

Children are often vastly different at school than they are at home, but if your son is taking this discipline to heart, it may be time to balance the teacher's vision of him with your own. Remmber, teachers have vast experience of dealing with children - and concerned parents, so do be prepared to listen to what she has to say.

[yummymum]

I do agree that children can be very different at school, is he maybe doing lots of little things and she is having enough and snaps after a while? Or it could be the case that she is over strict, until you speak to her you wont get to the bottom of it so yes speak to her. Good Luck

[Sindylou]

Thanks for your advice, I will definitely go and see her.

[merlin58]

My wife is head of Nursery at her school and had been a teacher for many years.

Try and be aware that your son (who we think might be an only child?) gets a lot of (all of the?) attention at home.

If he is a bit different at school he is possibly trying to get a little more attention from the teacher, this is not easy when there are 20 or so more kids in the class.

Teachers very rarely single out or pick on kids so be sure to listen to what the teacher has to say and dont go in with 'guns blazing' as it were. Listen with an open mind.

Teachers are there to help and also to report problems to parents. Its a two way thing.

[Sindylou]

Hi, I can see where you are coming from especially about the seeking attention issue - yes, he is an only child and I am a single parent, we have each other!!!

In hindsight, I have seen him change recently in becoming more vocal and more confident, so maybe he is finding his feet and his boundaries in a different environment - oh to be a fly on the wall at school!

[ganesh]

Ther are definately some teachers that are more strict than others and some who your child will get on better with throughout school life.
My child had a bit of a battle-axe lady(sorry-old fashioned label I know) and the other Mums thought so to.A few complaints were made to the Head about her.
But more likely is that he isn't being picked on but his behaviour is a bit more unruly at school,and he needs that extra bit of discipline. After all she has to maintain that control and the reception class is all about that really.
The only way to find out is to chat with his teacher,they are usually pleased to do this,and to try and get to know the other Mums who can give you their angle on it.
I bet there will be a parents evening coming up soon.
Good luck ,this is just the beginning !!!!

[ganesh]

Sorry -'Too,'not 'to'
See where my education got me?