Thank you. I myself am frustrated at how schools seem to over-react to situations nowadays...all the PC crap going on...
Sure, one could say there isn’t enough discipline at home or the father is missing from the picture, etc., but we don’t know that. And it’s very normal for 5-6 year old boys to have a lot of energy, it’s unfortunate schools and teachers don’t seem to realize or have any tolerance for that.
My 6 year old just started kindergarden this year and it’s amazing what he’s expected to learn at his age. I remember kindergarden being fun, doing crafts, arts, like fingerpainting and paper mache stuff. Not math, english and grammar. And I certainly don’t remember having homework in Kindergarden.
The school my son is going to over-reacts on issues as well. He broke a piece of wood off the kitchen toy in his classroom (by accident) and they called me in because he was destroying school property. Good Lord, it was an accident, on a toy that looked like it was going to break apart anyway. I know my son is not the type of child to purposely be destructive and break things.
Then they call me in because he smacked another student on the bum. Granted, especially with the way schools react, he shouldn’t be touching other kids, but I’m sure, knowing my son, it was a playful swat...but the school calls me up, like it was this huge incident that he “hit” another kid.
The school has this stupid policy (IMO) that for everyday a kid misbehaves in class, a notice is sent home to the parent, marking off what they weren’t doing right. To me, it’s normal behaviors of a 6 year old boy...but to the school it’s wrong. Simple things, like making noises, talking at inappropriate times, getting up from their desk, not standing in line, etc.
I understand kids need to learn rules, etc., and I know they need to learn not to be disruptive in class, but I feel his teacher is a bit intolerant. After all, for 4 months he was in a different class and had no behavior problems, no notices sent home, with his teacher there. But then we moved and he went into this new class with a new teacher and now I’m getting a notice almost every other day.
And after talking to his new Kindergarden teacher (who doesn’t have any kids of her own) and who admitted that sometimes her class is boring, I’m thinking maybe my son acts out because A) he’s 6; B) he’s bored and expected to sit the majority of the time at a desk, from 8:30am to 3:45pm, learning skills that I feel are kind of advanced for his age; and C) he isn’t given much time to release any energy, except recess and PE.
They expect him to be able to make and write sentences, when he doesn’t really know how to read (he’s barely learning) and he certainly doesn’t know how to spell yet.
I don’t know...I feel and think that schools are growing up our children faster than they should be and I think with all the PC crap it is hurting the way our kids are treated in school as well as what is expected of them. After all, look at the incidents where the 5 year old got suspended for kissing another student (they called it sexual harassment), and the kid that got in trouble for drawing a gun.
If I could, I would homeschool, but that’s a whole other issue....
We're homeschooling three sons. It can be done. I've known homeschool families with two working parents and families with single/divorced/widowed parents. If you ever need information, ask here. The homeschool parents here are very helpful.
You do get it. Geez, when I grew up I was a mischievous, rowdy but good, high energy kid and did not, repeat, did not, grow to become a criminal :)
If you can possibly manage it, HOMESCHOOL!
Honestly, at age 6, academics can be covered in about 1/2 hour at home. The rest of the time can be spent doing what 6 year old’s need most: PLAY!
Play is a child’s most important work.