Yesterday during sunday school, the primary president called me out into the hall to talk about my 5-year-old. Apparently he's been a bit wild lately, getting up and running around, and not listening to his teachers.
A has always been a bit on the energetic side, but for the most part, he's a pretty obedient kid for me, so I'm not sure what to do about his wild side in primary. My first idea is bribery. It can't be too complicated for his teacher, but I'm thinking a sticker on his hand and if the teacher has to take the sticker away during class, no treat when he gets home?
I'd rather not resort to bribery, but short of sitting in class with him every sunday, I'm not sure what to do.
I'm now thinking about how his swimming teacher struggled with him last year- because he'd get so excited that he was always getting into trouble (like the time he nearly drowned). So maybe the problem is not that he's trying to be naughty, but that he gets so excited with so many other children around and kind of loses control.
If I go with the sticker thing, it would put some power behind the teacher asking him to calm down and listen.
Any ideas?
8 comments:
I think it is a good plan because the sticker can serve as a reminder of the reward he can get at home if he is good for his teacher. However, it could also be a distraction for him (having a sticker on his hand). So, in that case he might need to earn the sticker at the end of class depending on how he did during class. Give your idea a shot! You can always regroup if that method doesn't work out.
I am a big fan of bibrery especially at this age. I think the sticker would be a good visual reminder. And maybe sitting in class every Sunday wouldn't be fun but I am also a fan of observing so maybe one Sunday you could sit in the back and watch and see what behavior his teacher is really talking about. You know him better than her and would know if his behavior means boredom or whater.
I found your little man to be quite a good kid when we played last Friday. He was very smart and taught me all about how axles work. He wasn't wild at all and I meant to compliment you on what a social, funny kid he was.
No advice but I'm all ears. I have an "energetic" one as well with church issues...
Right now we use a "reverence treat" - we keep it in the car & if his teacher says he was a good listener then he gets to have it on the way home. I wouldn't recommend this though as a) it makes him hate his teacher when she says he was naughty, b) he cries & throws the most massive tantrum if he doesn't get the treat and c) both of his brothers then want a treat too to the point where all 3 of them think they are owed a treat after every Sunday. Sigh.
Having been through a couple of five-year-olds all I can say is "good luck." Something is bound to work for him and I hope you find it on an early try rather than having to try new approaches every month all year long.
I think you are correct- A is basically a really good kid with boundless energy and intense interest in many things. Class might not progress fast enough for him but he does need to learn to be patient with the normal pace of things. A sticker on his hand might help him remember, but Natalie's point is also good. So what can you do that allows the teacher to confirm the good behavior as in rewarding with a sticker, and also helping him remember what the objective is? Good luck!
I think it is a failure to communicate on the part of the teacher. Tell her she needs to raise the bar and do better. A is an angel! Nothing wrong with my grandson.
I tried to leave the best comment today! But it didn't post! So sad! I'll have to see if I can be that creative and inspired again.....
phooey! Maybe tomorrow!
Sarah
A is the hardest worker I've ever seen. Maybe President Hinkley was right. Every one needs a job and a friend at church.
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