Doing his own thing
Jack has always been a bit of a "free spirit" when it comes to classes (music, art, play). He's always been one to run around when he's supposed to be sitting in the circle or doing an activity all the other kids are doing. In art class, he was pretty good, but I was the one keeping him on task the whole time and making him sit rightnexttome. Not to mention the fact 99 percent of the projects at that class were done by me. I am Picasso with the fingerpaints, let me tell you.
Now, he's doing the same thing in preschool. The three days he has gone, I have looked in at the end of the class and the other kids are on the rug singing a song and my kid is on the other side of the room playing with toys. I asked his teacher about it Tuesday and she said he does not participate, but she doesn't think it's that big of a deal. That day, all the kids made an art project and Jack played with toys. Maybe he has something against construction paper and tissue, but I haven't seen him express a preference for working with clay or paper maiche as his medium, so I have to discount that theory.
His teacher told me their classroom beliefs are such that they would never force a child to do something and that she will try to engage him to take part every few minutes, but if he doesn't want to do it, he won't have to.
Now, I understand this is only his second week of school. BUT. This is a pattern. He acts like this in all his other classes and now there. We even had the same thing happen at his first soccer class last week and it was a disaster because all the other kids listened and followed directions and Jack refused to do any of it. They said run this way and he ran the opposite way. Let me tell you, that's not the way to train for winning a World Cup. Josh left the class with him because it was such a production.
I know he's only 2 1/2. I know I sound like a paranoid helicopter mom. But should I be worried? I don't want to see this become something that he does forever. Being a free spirit is fine, but you have to learn how to play the game when it comes to education or you won't succeed. I know it's just preschool, but I am really thinking this is a part of his personality. Josh thinks it's because he has no fear of us punishing him for not listening, so he doesn't ever have to do what we say. I don't think that's it, but I am stumped.
Of course, the only time he sits as he's supposed to with the other kids? Snack time. He's no fool.
Now, he's doing the same thing in preschool. The three days he has gone, I have looked in at the end of the class and the other kids are on the rug singing a song and my kid is on the other side of the room playing with toys. I asked his teacher about it Tuesday and she said he does not participate, but she doesn't think it's that big of a deal. That day, all the kids made an art project and Jack played with toys. Maybe he has something against construction paper and tissue, but I haven't seen him express a preference for working with clay or paper maiche as his medium, so I have to discount that theory.
His teacher told me their classroom beliefs are such that they would never force a child to do something and that she will try to engage him to take part every few minutes, but if he doesn't want to do it, he won't have to.
Now, I understand this is only his second week of school. BUT. This is a pattern. He acts like this in all his other classes and now there. We even had the same thing happen at his first soccer class last week and it was a disaster because all the other kids listened and followed directions and Jack refused to do any of it. They said run this way and he ran the opposite way. Let me tell you, that's not the way to train for winning a World Cup. Josh left the class with him because it was such a production.
I know he's only 2 1/2. I know I sound like a paranoid helicopter mom. But should I be worried? I don't want to see this become something that he does forever. Being a free spirit is fine, but you have to learn how to play the game when it comes to education or you won't succeed. I know it's just preschool, but I am really thinking this is a part of his personality. Josh thinks it's because he has no fear of us punishing him for not listening, so he doesn't ever have to do what we say. I don't think that's it, but I am stumped.
Of course, the only time he sits as he's supposed to with the other kids? Snack time. He's no fool.
posted by Amy at
9:19 PM
3 Comments:
perhaps the bribing with the M&Ms will commence at school?
If he's still doing it at 4.5? Think about it. Otherwise, pfft. If I had little ones now, knowing what I know about curriculum? I'd be starting 'em in K at nearly 6 y.o. Some of the stuff the gov't. requires in 6th grade (where I teach) is developmentally inappropriate. The curriculum keeps getting downshifted to lower grades. Give him time, mom.
I don't know how much help I can be BUT- I do have an almost 3 year old boy who has been in daycare since he was 3 mo old.... I know that there are kids in his class that like to do their own thing too. I would think that some degree of that is normal at this age. That being said... don't ignore your mom instincts! If you feel like something is off, talk to your pediatrician and get some advice. If nothing else, they'll help you keep an eye on things.
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