Question about reception children I am childminding

[Numberfour]

I am childminding four reception children this summer (one is my son, so strictly speaking only Cming three!

I am so surprised at how often one of them (including DS) will come running to me to tell me a tale about one of the others. This happens every few minutes it seems!!!

Also, one of the children was a little off colour and had a high temperature for a while. Now ALL the children every now and then complain of feeling ill or having temp.

This seems to me to be attention seeking behaviour. Maybe I am not actively enough involved in their games with them?

Any ideas on the behaviour of my group, anyone?

[gingernutlover]

completely normal for reception age children. In my experience anyway. (been a yr R teacher for 8 years)

all a bit too interested in what everyone lese is doing is what I always think. At that age they are well old enough to be amusing each other, I'm sure as a CM you do enough involved activities.

[mankyscotslass]

Totally normal, and unfortunately the tell tale thing goes on past reception age.

I have an 8 year old, a 6 1/2 year old, and a nearly 5 year old. They are driving me mad.

[Numberfour]

Thanks for the replies! I definitely am keeping them busy and there is also time for them to amuse themselves - I was a bit when getting them all into the car to go out for the day, and one of the little girls asked if we could paint and dress up later.

Suppose it is something that we all went through at that age too!

I'll just have to try to manage it (and tolerate it) as best I can.

It is reassuring to know that it is not purely lack of attention!!! I was wondering if I would get slated posting this! Of course I do pay them all attention and am very affectionate with hugs and pecks on the head or cheek etc with all the children - except my son who refuses to let me kiss him

Thanks again for the reassurances!

[mitochondria]

The tell tale thing drives me nuts. My son "caught" it from school. His brother cannot get away with anything any more.

[Numberfour]

I am even told stories that do not involve the one telling the story!! So and so did whatever to an uninvolved third party!!!

I have no doubt that I did that when I was little, but I cannot work out what the payback is for doing that - what does the child see as the benefit?

I have one little girl who teases and annoys my DS any chance she can get. He loses his temper and screeches when she does this - so her payback is seeing him lose his cool . But what about tattle taling???

Roll on 6pm today.............

[claig]

I think they tell tales to try and boost themselves in your eyes. They are good and tell tales about the other naughty kids. They act as your eyes and ears and let you know that they aren't naughty. They also boost themselves in your eyes by making you think less of the other kids who are doing naughty things. It's all very clever stuff about trying to gain advanatge and being liked more.

[Numberfour]

Claig, yes, that makes sense.

[sarahfreck]

When one next comes running with a tale, try specifically telling them that they don't have to tell tales on others to get you to like them as you really like them anyway. Then mention a few of the things you think are great about them. (you've got a great imagination, draw fantastic pictures, are really kind to people etc) I tried this with an older child and it had an amazing effect on cutting out the tale telling. Not sure how it would work with 4/5 yo though!

[Numberfour]

Thanks,Sarahfreck, I will definitely try that tactic! Even the 3 yr old has cottoned on to the tale telling now...... hopefully the others will stop sooner rather than later and the 3 yr old will, too (dreaming, I am!)

[Littlefish]

I always say "Is your name in this story?" It's a simple way to help children understand when they are telling me tales about someone else.

[SE13Mummy]

I always say, "tell me what you did". If they didn't do anything at any point then it's not their tale to tell. My 5-year-old and her friends understand this as do the KS2 children I teach.

[Numberfour]

Excellent ideas, Littlefish and SE13Mummy. I will definitely use that approach. I tried Sarahfreck's approach today and it did not make a dent (but then everyone was complaining that they were ill )