to speak to the school?

[justgirl]

Not sure if I'm being precious or not but I'm feeling a bit unsure about whether to approach my sons school tomorrow.

He is only 4, in first year, reception. He goes to a village school, only 7 children in his class including him. Its a lovely school and he's getting on fantastic.

There has been a couple of times where he has mentioned other children being a bit mean to him but nothing major and typical kids stuff I guess, he's always happy and loves going there but today he said that the other 3 boys in his class are making him sad because they are calling him a girl. I don't know why they are saying it but it broke my heart to hear him saying how sad he was, hes not a cry baby and doesn't tell tales and I know he needs to learn to take it on the chin but a part of me things that in such a small school, something like this is very noticable to him and I naturally don't want it to continue, the others boys are obviously only 4/5 themselves so i know they are probably not doing it maliciously but I don't know how to approach it, I wanted to just pop my head in and ask that they keep an eye as its not nice for him to feel like hes being bullied...am i just being precious and a bit pathetic?!

[LegoStillSavesMyLife]

Nope just have a quite word with his teacher, explaining it in unemotive language. Do not go in all guns blazing.

[WorraLiberty]

Yes definitely have a quiet word with the teacher

I wouldn't use the word 'bullied' though, because he's being teased.

I hope the teacher nips it in the bud soon.

[WooWooOwl]

In such a small class, the teacher probably knows already, but there's no harm at all in you mentioning it, at the very least to reassure yourself that any meanness is dealt with effectively.

Small schools are lovely and have a lot of benefits, but one of the drawbacks is that there armed as many other children to play with when one or two are being mean.

[Pixiedust49]

Yes, say something. I have been teaching Reception aged children for almost 20 years and would be really upset if I didn't know! The staff are there to help you and your child. Please tell them what's going on.

[Goldmandra]

Just say "Hi. I just wanted to let you know that DS has been a bit upset this weekend about some other children calling him a girl. I'm sure they don't realise it's upsetting him. Could you see what you can do? Thanks."

[justgirl]

thanks all (and thanks worral...i'm not one to jump on the bullying band wagon but I couldn't think of a better way to word what I was saying on this thread!)

I'm glad i'm not being precious, I feel better about going in now as sometimes I think they think I'm a bit crazy!

[BuzzardBird]

Yes, teacher will be glad to know what is going on. Also please tell him that being called a "girl" isn't an insult.

[justgirl]

I did try to explain that BuzzardBird....I feel really lucky as he is so comfortable with himself..running around as hulk one minute and dressing up in dresses with his sister the next and I don't want him to lose that because of some silly little comments!

[BuzzardBird]

You see I would teach my DC to laugh in their faces and say "ha ha, you don't know the difference between a girl and a boy" That doesn't insult girls but teaches him to stick up for himself, which is going to serve him better in the long run.