My 5yr olds school behavior

Ilene - posted on 10/18/2009

I do worry that my son's behavior is a "lack of challenge" thing. We've looked at some of the work they have given him, especially the books. It's all too simple for him. I will see what Sylvan learning centers say tomorrow on where he stands with reading and math...after that, I'm taking that information to the school for a meeting on Wednesday with the teacher and principal.

Michele - posted on 10/18/2009

My daughter started K this August. She was having a hard time staying focused on her work, she was paying more attention to the other kids than her work. We had the option to move her to a small group for academics (2 hours per day). She has made great progress in this class. We also found out that she is reading at a second grade level and that the focusing problem was due to not being challenged enough. She is only allowed to watch TV between the hours of 5-6pm when dinner is being prepared, this has helped quite a bit. We also started a progress chart at home. If she gets 5 green marks from her teachers for the week, we will go to the redbox and she can pick out any movie that she wants. She talked about this everyday last week and sure enough she got a movie Friday night. This progress chart has been working very well at our house.

Ermyn - posted on 10/17/2009

My son also has had hyperactive behavior since he was small. But I have noticed that he has slow down over the years. You said that you have completely removed television from your child.How did you do it? I dont think my son will accept this. I'm trying to limit the shows that he watch. Thanks!

Ilene - posted on 10/17/2009

My son started Kindergarten in September and he's having a really hard time adjusting. Part of it is his attitude. He thinks it's really funny to do the opposite of what people tell him. I don't know how to break him of this. Part of it is his vision, which he is undergoing vision therapy for...but that could take several months. Part of it is he is not used to the structure. His preschool was very unstructured and everything was "optional". Now he thinks it should still be but it's not. He's very smart and is already reading. The decoder books that the school has been using are boring as can be to him. I just don't know what to do. I understand that they won't test for gifted programs until second semester and based on our relationship with the teacher right now and his bad behavior in class...I doubt we'll get recommended. It's just so frustrating.

Tameka - posted on 10/17/2009

MAYBE HE ISNT BEING CHALLENGED ENOUGH. MAYBE THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE STRUCTURE. I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY SON, AND HIS TEACHERS SUGGESTED THAT I HAVE HIM CHECKED FOR ADHD. WHEN HE WAS CHECKED THEY SAID IT WAS TYPICAL 5 YEAR OLD BEHAVIOR AND HE SUGGESTED THAT WE INCORPORATE MORE STRUCTURE AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR BAD BEHAVIOR.

Jennifer - posted on 10/17/2009

I am having the same problem with my daughter. We've been having issues, however, since she was in day care. We decided after she turned 5 to have her tested or evaluated for ADD/ ADHD. It is not that I want her to have either condition, I would just like to be ahead of it rather than behind. So, after speaking with a counselor, we've completely removed all tv from her home life. When she starts acting out at home she immediately goes to time out...NOT for punishment, but to increase her self control abilities. We've only been doing this for about three months and I can't BEGIN to tell you the differences we've seen at home! Her teacher sends home a daily behavior log and depending on how well she did, she gets a few coins to drop into her very own "good behavior jar." When she has enough money saved up she can go buy a toy or something special. I don't look at this as bribery, but as training. Hope this helps!

Ilene - posted on 10/16/2009

My five year old son started K a few weeks ago. It has been really difficult to change from a three hour a day cooperative preschool to a full day regular kindergarten class. My son has acted out alot. This week, he's been very quiet in class but telling the teacher he can't hear here and not responding when being called on. I even took him to the doctor yesterday to be on the safe side....the doctor did a hearing test and my son's hearing is fine, so we know he's faking his hearing loss. It's been really difficult. I just started a new chart tonight that is for school progress. The teacher gives a weekly report listing the color "green, yellow, orange, or red (worst) color that they got for each day. I've started a sticker chart now where I'm giving him stickers for the days where he gets a green. When he gets enough stickers, I'll buy him a small toy, or take him for ice cream or do another thing that he really likes. We'll see how this all works out.

Christine - posted on 10/16/2009

I taught Kindergarten last year and it sounds like your son is acting out to get the attention. Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on the positive. A good example to use is a good behavior sticker chart. For every day that he gets a good report from school, (his teacher might be willing to do a simple behavior chart for him) he gets a sticker and for 5 stickers in a week, he gets a prize (ice cream or whatever). Hope this works!