Revisiting a topic I've asked about before. . .

My son is in Pre-K. He goes to Catholic school. I'm coming to see that the program is a bit advance, more advanced than the Universal Pre-K program. I have been getting reports from his teacher for the past 3 weeks that he is not listening, he is interupting her lesson, he is being reminded to follow direction. The report from yesterday said that he was not listening to the aide during lunch then started getting the other kids at his table to join in.
I have asked Troy about what goes on, and he is saying "I dont remember", "I dont know" or he is presenting the issue in a defensive way - like one time teacher said he was sitting under the table, when I asked him about it he said "I dropped the cover to my glue stick"

Next week is parent/teacher conference, but I feel this issue needs mroethan a 10-minute to address. I'm just not sure what to do from here. I work full time and do not get him from aftercare until 6pm. I dont see the teacher at drop off (she is not at the door) and never at pick up, due to how late I get there. Occassionally DH picks Troy up when school gets out, but that is not consistant enough.

Any suggestions??

My SIL is a pre-k teacher in the city and I've talked with her about his behavior, she says the program may be too much for him. He may be acting out b/c the teacher is asking too much from him. What do I do if that is the case????

Re: Revisiting a topic I've asked about before. . .

I could write a book on this.

From experience, I think Catholic schools have a lower tolerance for any child that may need more help than the rest. If the teacher is being punitive or calling him out on his attention, then it becomes a self esteem issue & a self fulfilling prophecy because he will live up to that expectation that he is not behaving. He needs a behavioral program put in place - one where he can see he can achieve the goals. I didn't have a lot of luck & wound up pulling him/getting him expelled (so i'd get my tuition back)with a letter to the Diocese about the school, long story).

If you can't take off work, I'd have a call with the teacher. Outline your concerns ahead of time & ask what she can do to help the situation.

Re: Revisiting a topic I've asked about before. . .

I taught Pre-K in a Catholic school for 3 years when I was a recent college graduate.

The school I taught in is no longer open, but it had been there for many many years and held grades PreK thru 12.

The tolerance that I saw on the Elementary Level for children that had behavioral issues was very very low.

I didn't see much of it in my classroom since they pretty much left PreK alone, but I did see it in Kindergarten and up.

Any child who didn't fit the "cookie cutter" that they wanted of kids in their school was strongly encouraged to find another place for their education.

It was frustrating to me because I was right out of college after going to school to be an elementary and special ed teacher. I recognized that some of these kids might have had some learning issues, or maybe just some extra energy, or maybe needed to be taught with more hands-on techniques instead of the very old-school methodoliogy that was being used.

Unfortunately these kids weren't given a chance in the school to show their true colors. They did end up closing hte PreK. To be honest I think I didn't fit the cookie cutter mold for them either and so it wasn't a hard decision for them.

2 years later after I left the school the entire school closed for good.

Not trying to bash Catholic Schools....I am sure there are some amazing ones out there....but...I know my experience with early childhood in the catholic school that I worked in left me with a very poor impression.

Re: Revisiting a topic I've asked about before. . .

I think that teachers, all teachers need to have a better understanding of what preschoolers need.

My kids did not get accepted to the local Catholic School. And, I so wanted them to go there! I taught in Catholic School for 10 yrs and really appreciate what faith based education can do for a child and the family.



That being said, a Pre K program needs to be well structured and there truly needs to be a working understanding of what 3,4, & 5 yr olds need. And, to understand how to meet the needs of the different kids in your class. My kids would have been on the younger end of the spectrum for Pre-K...there is a HUGE developmental difference bt 4, 4.2, 4.4. 4.5 and so forth.

I am so glad that my kids are where they are! They enjoy school and are so happy to go there !

Your son may just not be ready for such a structured program! I know moving forward that such structure will not work for my kids. You have to find a school that works for your child!

Re: Revisiting a topic I've asked about before. . .

Your dc is only 3! She is probably a crummy teacher if one child can cause so much disruption. I find it hard to believe, but I think you should try to find a new school for your dc . You don't need that nonsense , he is still so young.

Re: Revisiting a topic I've asked about before. . .

is your child at Elizabeth Seton? I was i one of those pre-k classrooms (as A Special Ed Itinerant Teacher and it was so inappropriate...as if they had NO early childhood training whatsoever

Re: Revisiting a topic I've asked about before. . .

My son is 4 1/2. And he goes to St. Joseph in Ronkonkoma.

Also the class size is a bit large, 23 or 24 (I can't recall). She does have an assistant, but I still think that is too big/

Message edited 12/3/2011 9:58:19 PM.

Re: Revisiting a topic I've asked about before. . .

That is a large class, but also you breed behavior problems when you force inappropriate work in pre-k/nursery. Attention spans are short, and motor skills are just developing. This is the time when children need to gradually learn problem solving, social skills, story structure and basic math concepts. Memory, attention and motor skills are areas of development that should be expanded gradually.

Re: Revisiting a topic I've asked about before. . .

My children are in a Catholic school which I love. One of the pre-K teachers there is phenomenal and everyone refers to her as the Child Whisperer. In my DD's class last year, there were at least 2 kids who were disruptive, not listening, crying and carrying on and it does disrupt the class. However, this teacher was amazing with the children and worked with them. I truly believe the teacher plays a huge part in it.

I would look into setting up another time to meet with the teacher. 10 minutes isn't enough, trust me, we have the same arrangement in our school.

And I think that is a lot of students for a pre-K class, even with an aide. At our school, they cap each pre-K class at 15 (with teacher and aide) - so this year they needed to open a 3rd pre-K class, and even had a waiting list because they had more than 45 children wanting to get in.

Message edited 12/4/2011 10:50:57 AM.