thoughts? I got a call 2nd day of school two weeks ago, then another and another. Obviously it's too much to handle for the both of us. I mostly want to cry and just end up angry at my child after the teachers complaints.
Am I wrong?
I know exactly how you feel, I was so stressed out that I would rather spend my day at school then come home and see how my son day at school was. I really think that it is totally up to you, have you tried to explain his situation at the school?
Now that I look back Im glad that I did not take him out because when he did have to start school this year, he was already aware of what was expected. I think he just needed the experience, this year he is doing so much better although he does still get in trouble it is nowhere nears as bad as last year.
Can you find another daycare/preschool that fits his needs better? Maybe one with a smaller class size?First, is this a public PreK or private?
Second, what are his teacher's complaints?
If problems are arising during transitions then the teachers may need to warn him that the transitions are coming (maybe a 10 min., 5 min., and 2 min. warning before changes). They also may need to tweak the schedule a little is overstimulating activities are running for too long, or if he needs to blow off some energy before outside/gym time rolls around.
If complaints are more along the lines of conflicts w/other children, find out when and where it's happening. Are they being properly supervised and interacted with in order to prevent this? Are the children given a choice of centers to play in, or are they assigned? Are other children picking on him?
His teacher should be making written observations about his behavior, what happened, when, where, what was going on at the time in order to gain a clear objective picture of what is happening. If she's not, then stress or frustration could be clouding her judgement about the frequency and intensity of the problems.
Also, teachers should not just call up and say "Hey Johnny was bad at school today. " They should be able to tell you how the situation was/will be handled, and if it's not working they should change the way they're handling it.
There are a million and one ways to handle behavioral problems in the early childhood classroom (I'm know cause I've been working with kids 0-8 for 8 years). Let me know if you want to know a few of them.
First, you know best because you know him the best. But my thought is, if you pull him out now:
1. What will you be able to provide for him so that he can be more successful next year when he re-enters pre-K?
2. How do you know that he won't do the same thing next year if you have him start pre-K then instead of now?
3. How do you know he won't improve?
These are rhetorical, naturally. But IMHO, if you're going to pull him out, is what he will get in a different envirnoment better than the interventions and services he may be able to get in the current environment? Is he not ready for the academics and structure involved in the current pre-K? Is it just the environment of the pre-K?
Just some things to think about. I don't really have any answers (except to perhaps go and observe him in the setting), but you have my support. Good luck.
Esmom38978.4778240741