How do your 6 year olds behave with friends/classmates?

[Earlybird]

Since Christmas my dd has begun to behave in a silly way with her friends/classmates. I want her to have fun, but when she is with her friends, they all start talking in high pitched 'pretend' voices, squealing/jumping/running and getting completely wound up. A bit of this is perhaps typical of the age, and I don't mind it. But, it goes on and on and escalates to a sometimes obnoxious level. She willfully ignores any adult requests to calm down, and when I've finally got her attention, her attitude toward me is disrespectful and dismissive.

It seems that sometimes this behaviour happens in school too. She was devastated yesterday to be scolded by the teacher 'for not being sensible'. She's a good girl generally, academically able and has good social skills. This behaviour only appears when she's with friends. She seems to be easily led by others - or perhaps they egg each other on until only a fairly heavy reprimand will call a halt.

Does this sound familiar behaviour to anyone else, and if so, how do you manage it?

[katelyle]

We call this "being bonkers" - and if you think girls are bad, you should try boys! We have all the behaviours you describe, with added "poo"jokes! I think teachers are used to it - so try not to worry too much about the behaviour at school. I always remind my ds on his way in to try not to be bonkers, and I always try to find a way of leting hime let off a bit of steam with his friends after school at the park or something like that. I really try not to "see" too much of the behaviour, hoping they will grow out of it. However, I would not put up with the disrespectful and dismissive attitude - I would focus on that rather than the "bonkersness" I would get down to her level, look her in the eye and explain very firmly that a particular tone of voice or words were unacceptable, and that if you hear them again there will be consequences. Say what the consequences will be, and make sure you carry them through. But it is a phase - it will pass!

[Earlybird]

kate - thanks for feedback. It's strangely comforting to know when behaviour is a 'typical phase' that others experience too.

I think the thing that concerns me most is the 'easily led' part of the equation. Not quite sure what to do about that.

[lexcat]

My nearly 6 dd is just like this. I have told that behaviour is okay in the playground but it stops at the classroom door. she doesn't like been shouted at, and the teacher she's got at the moment can make me quake in my shoe just hearing her shouting. Having said she is a great teacher and dd is very happy with her.
I think it just showing off and it gets lots of attention from thier peers. After all at this age they are the people who you have to win around.

[sandyballs]

Blimey, that is so familiar. I could have written your post. It drives me nuts. I find it very hard to distinguish between "just having fun and letting off steam", and "going too far" . It's a very thin line IMO.

[lucy5]

I could have written your post too!I have my firstparent consultation since this silliness started and am waiting to see if it has spilled into the classroom.

[TwoToTango]

Agree with katelyle - especially the bit about the poo jokes! thankfully in my DS case his behaviour is always very good at school - I think part of it is a bit of a release when they are like this at home, after having to be so good at school all day.

[CODalmighty]

pretend voices are up to about year 3