Problem with Preschool educators and my son

[Cyndy]

Hi. I was hoping someone could help me. My son who is 4 and will be 5 in a week or so is attending a preschool. They have been constantly saying he is a problem child with yelling and throwing, etc. I did stay to observe one day out of sight for the first hour and observed my child being a kid. No structured education except the teachers working with the kids two at a time doing projects.

They weren't really doing much except they kind of hurriedly got them to do these projects so they could fit them all in. Then my son eventually saw me and during the last hour of class they showed them the abc's up to M talked a little about manners and read a book. My son didn't really act up as much as other kids while I was there and the teachers didn't really spend much time with the kids period except to tell them to pick things up when play time was over which my son really didn't want to do. I admit it. He and another little boy were still trying to play.

The thing is most of these kids don't even know the first letter in their own name. My son can read, write his name and spell some simple word but his writing isn't the best. He can read up to 7 letter or more words and easily reads books and things that probably a second or third grader could read. He's also very smart. The teachers say he yells and throws things and are already talking about putting him in a special school district.

My question is could it be the fact that they aren't paying attention and he is bored or is he really having a problem. My husband has ADD, but I don't really think my son does. Can anyone give any insight? Thanks.

[BigDaddyTeacher]

Cyndy -
Although you refer to this as a preschool, are you sure it's not just operating as a daycare calling itself a preschool? I'm sure you checked out the facility prior to enrolling your child.
How many instructors are there in the room - in other words, what is the teacher/child ratio? A good ratio would be 1/10-13. Any more than that, and the children don't get as much supervision/teaching time as they should.
It sounds to me like your child is acting his age; based on your description of his behavior, and personal experience with my own kids, I doubt he has ADD - it sounds like he might just be bored, since he has mastered his basic skills already.
Don't let them pigeon-hole your child into a designation at this early age. You might get in touch with the counselor at the school where your child will be attending kindergarten and discuss your observations/concernes with them.
Dennis

[Cyndy]

Cyndy -
Although you refer to this as a preschool, are you sure it's not just operating as a daycare calling itself a preschool? I'm sure you checked out the facility prior to enrolling your child.
How many instructors are there in the room - in other words, what is the teacher/child ratio? A good ratio would be 1/10-13. Any more than that, and the children don't get as much supervision/teaching time as they should.
It sounds to me like your child is acting his age; based on your description of his behavior, and personal experience with my own kids, I doubt he has ADD - it sounds like he might just be bored, since he has mastered his basic skills already.
Don't let them pigeon-hole your child into a designation at this early age. You might get in touch with the counselor at the school where your child will be attending kindergarten and discuss your observations/concernes with them.
Dennis

Thank you so much. I actually didn't check out the preschool before he went because I figured it was at the Catholic school across the street and it would be fine. Big mistake I think. I'm not Catholic it was just nearby. I now know the importance of observing and what I observed on my visit wasn't good teaching. There are two teachers, but the only group time spent basically is a circle/reading time during the last hour and looking at the calendar/weather. There are two teachers, but neither one gets up very much to spend time with the kids. I just wish I had thought to check sooner. I'm giving them a piece of my mind tomorrow anyway over this whole recent event. They hardly speak to me they always go for my husband because he's non-confrontational. :-/

[Unregistered]

I think you have a child that is gifted.So PLEASE!!! dO NOT LET ANYBODY TELL YOU HE IS add ..And do not tell them your husband is ADD .You will still have trouble in kindergarden because he is bored and is not being challenged at his level.He needs more.

[Unregistered]

How many days did you observe your son? Did you go at a variety of times? I am a teacher and it makes me angry when I try to tell a parent of what is going on with thier child and they treat me like I am a liar. For instance I have a child in my class that is abusive physically and verbally to her peers. She is constantly moving and does not follow directions even when being told numours times and in a variety of ways. When I have shared my concerns with the parents they said I was being negative and not helping their child in the way she needed it. I was apauled, i spend 8 hours a day with their child along with 14 other children that require my attention and when I share their child's behavior with them they acuse me of lying and being unsupportive. Most teachers are not "out to get your child" they became teachers because they love kids and want to help them be successful adults. I would highly suggest that you go more than one day to see your child and put a little bit of credablity into the teachers. And if you are not happy take your child out right away, parents that are unsupportive are worst than children who bite and kick!

[Unregistered]

It does sound like your child may be bored but look on both sides if your child is this smart they must have done something right. Also have you sat down and spoke to the techers to find out if they could mentally challenge your child more. I teach preschool and sometimes you come across some children who are gifted and need more stimulation maybe you could talk more about ideas you have that could expand the lessons already being taught. But at least recognize that your child is acting out and there is a reason for it he is not challenged enough work with the teachers when you approach someone with a hostile attitude because they have a few negative comments about your child you put them on the definsive postion. Keep a clam mind and ask why do you think he is displaying this behavior and then tell them what you think. If you can not work together find another school.