Is your 3 year old a leader or a follower?

Isn't this a strange question? I just received Ava's nursery school packet and on the background info sheet they ask this question

Message edited 8/1/2008 10:04:04 PM.

Re: Is your 3 year old a leader or a follower?

Kate is totally a follower--to the point where it makes me uncomfortable sometimes. If one of her little friends says something like, "I want to wear a blue shirt" or whatever, she'll say exactly, "I want to wear a blue shirt too!" I know it's OK at 3, but I'm worried about this kind of thing when she's older!!

ETA...I do think the Q is a little odd though...as a teacher, I don't like going in with preconceived notions...

Message edited 8/1/2008 10:06:53 PM.

Re: Is your 3 year old a leader or a follower?

I think that it depends on the situation. I've seen her be a follower with other kids who are older...like the kids at the babysitter's house.....she'll imitate their dance moves, expressions, role plays, etc.

I've also seen her initiate conversations, be totally outgoing towards kids who are strangers (like today in the waiting room of the dentist's office, asking kids what their name was, do they want to play, how old are they), and also being the more aggressive child when playing with kids her own age.

I think it depends on the situation for her.

Re: Is your 3 year old a leader or a follower?

it depends ...I think a little or both

strange question how would this help the teacher???

Re: Is your 3 year old a leader or a follower?

that is strange - when DS is with older kids, he's quiet and more a follower - if he is with younger kids - he leads them all into trouble so sometimes there isn't an answer!

Message edited 8/2/2008 11:17:19 AM.

Re: Is your 3 year old a leader or a follower?

I would say a little bit of both.

Re: Is your 3 year old a leader or a follower?

That is an odd question for pre-K. I mean - for a lot of 3 year olds this would be there first chance to really develop a 'leadership' kind of role.

I always assumed Robbie was a follower - he tends to be kind of quiet and he hangs back a bit. But when I go for teacher conferences they constantly talk about how Robbie is a leader among his peers and always making up the games or plans and helping out his classmates.

Noah is neither a leader or a follower.. he just does his own thing.

Message edited 8/2/2008 12:16:49 PM.

Re: Is your 3 year old a leader or a follower?

I would say Jesse is a leader. He is always telling people (adults and kids) how to do things. Also, peer pressure means absolutely NOTHING to him. I tell him he's the only one at school still in diapers and we should potty train. He says no thank you mom, I like my diapers. I tell him nobody else wears diapers and again he says, that's okay mommy - I'm still going to wear diapers. When it comes to older kids, he holds his own and doesn't let anyone take advantage of him, boss him around or tell him "no".

Re: Is your 3 year old a leader or a follower?

they asked the same question on Mallorys school papers.. they also asked if she was an observer, a doer, non-verbal, verbal, very verbal, passive, aggressive, even tempered, active, very active, extremely active, quiet, very quiet, extremely quiet