I would like some ideas or suggestions on how to deal with the 'mean kids' at school please? My little one attends a very small school and daily comes home saying he has no-one to play with. The 2 other children in his grade say mean things and wont let him join in. I haven't heard it myself so I'm not sure if it's being said to be deliberately mean, or whether its said in the way that kids just have no filter. I don't think its 'bullying'.... yet..... because my child has said he is otherwise happy at school. I've overheard the kids in question; one is very manipulative and somewhat mean, the other is a follower so goes along with it. Over the years both kids have regularly been at our house for play dates so I've had the opportunity to observe their behaviour a lot.
This has been going on for quite some time, at least a year. I have spoken to the principal and teachers and last year measures were taken to make the school more inclusive as a whole, but it didn't last long. I have asked him many times if he'd like to change schools but he's adamant he doesn't because he loves his teacher.
I've spoken with my child multiple times to build his confidence and say its not a reflection on him but them. He's involved in a number of after school activities so he does have the opportunity of socialising outside school, but when you're with the same kids for 6 hours a day 5 days a week and there isn't really the option to play with anyone else (they're already all buddied up and its a VERY small school) he just wants to be included while he's there.
Thank you.
School yard challenges
School yard challenges
Posted in:
Kids
4 Replies
Do you have an option of moving to a larger school? More friendship opportunities at a bigger school might make all the difference for your son.
It’s hard to force friendships, as adults we aren’t expected to just like and befriend everyone and we can’t expect the same with kids. 3 kids in one year level makes it bloody hard and honestly I don’t think it’s going to improve. Can you move to a larger school with more opportunities for friendship
Can you invite the nicer or the two boys over a few times to do some fun activities that they can then start talking about to have a bond that will hopefully cross over into school.
But high school will be a great opportunity to find new friendships.
When I was at a very very small primary school (think One room all grades) I was excluded and the NEW teacher principal arrived and saw me by my self and being told I wasn’t allowed to play etc and he made all the other kids play by them selves each lunch for a week so they knew how it felt. Things improved with this teacher but not fully for me until a few of the higher grades left for high school.