Hi all,
My son started his first year of school and we are almost through the first term. He’s a happy, energetic boy and he’s been loving school. Overall, he’s ahead in his reading and academically he’s not had any issues. My focus was always the social aspect in this first year, to make sure he has a smooth transition, to be kind to others, respectful and to fit into the classroom environment/not be disruptive to others.
He has a teacher 4 days a week who has never told me of any issues, he’s been student of the week and she’s only ever told me that she thinks he’s a wonderful happy kid.
He has another teacher one day a week, who has every week come to me with the issue that he can’t focus to finish tasks in class. She says he’s always the last one to finish, and is constantly getting distracted trying to help his peers finish their work.
My question is, how do I deal with this? I’ve thanked her for the feedback every week, I always assure her that we are working on his focus at home, we do activities together and I chat to him about trying to finish tasks as quick as he can. I motivate him with positive reinforcement etc. Apart from that there isn’t much I can do day to day for this teacher to notice a difference in him, I’m assuming this will be a slower process than that.
I’m worried that this teacher is not particularly fond of my son and that I can’t really do anything to help the situation because I’m not there. My son tells me that he tries his best to focus, and always says he will try harder next time. I mean he’s 5 years old, I don’t really know what’s normal at this age, but he sits where he’s supposed to, lines up and listens to his teachers. He just seems to be slow at getting into tasks and moving from one task to another, he’s always been that way haha
She keeps saying I know he’s perfectly capable, he’s very sharp but he just doesn’t focus well and needs to improve there.
Does anyone have any advice for me in communicating with this teacher, and helping my son? Thanks all 😊
4 Replies
Can you speak to the other teacher? No need to say what this one day a week teacher is saying, just ask if he's focusing normally and finishing tasks & if they think he is struggling in any areas.
It could be this teacher has high expectations, less experience with preppies or is getting him on a Friday (difficult for all).
It's worth following up on, but I wouldn't be concerned as yet. He's five, in a whole new environment and and full days - that's a huge adjustment. Try positive encouragement and don't let the teacher make him think he's not good enough. Otherwise kids can start to think negatively about their own abilities & then you're in for a truly difficult time at school.
If she only works one day and week and takes the time to constantly speak to you, then assume his behaviour is out of the ordinary. Ask the other teacher, and ask the first teacher to see his book work, say you’re not understanding how severe this is and can you see examples or have specific examples. It’s also possible he plays up for her either knowing she’s only there for one day or because she has different classroom management strategies and he’s missing the instructions and cues.
I would certainly take the feedback on board. The teacher isn’t making it up to hurt you. If anything she is looking out for his interests. This isn’t personal or mean she isn’t fond of him.
Ask her directly what can we do to support you in the classroom. Also ask what they plan to do to support him.
Speak to the teacher he has 4 days, to see if they notice the same thing. It could just be that he doesn’t “gel” with the other teacher. As long as that teacher isn’t saying anything to him or in front of him, to diminish his joy of learning, I wouldn’t worry too much unless it’s happening with both teachers. Just like we as adults don’t “gel” with every single person we come in contact with, children don’t either.