4 year old DS behaviour in playground

[planestrainsautomobiles]

Every morning my nearly 4 year old DS2 acts like a dinosaur in the playground when dropping off my DS1. He roars constantly and spends the whole time running around and grabbing people. All the older boys know him and goad him into chasing him, whenever there is a big group of boys he is always in the middle of them.

How can I control him, he starts school in September and I think he is getting a reputation already. I don't mind him playing with his friends but don't want him appearing disruptive.

[LastingLight]

Is he enjoying himself? Are the other boys enjoying the game or do they get irritated? Does anybody get hurt?

[planestrainsautomobiles]

No-one gets hurt, he is the one that normally falls over. But he does make dinosaur claws so could scratch people, I guess because they have coats on this doesn't happen. I do try and hold onto him but he just starts yelling and pulling away from me. I need him to calm down as walk away from the playground feeling crap most mornings and don't want him to start school thinking this is how you play at lunchtimes.

[planestrainsautomobiles]

Bear yes maybe I should get there for just as the whistle goes every morning and not let him play.

[LastingLight]

Isn't that just he way that boys play? Running around to let of steam before sitting down in a classroom?

[littlemslazybones]

I think your little boy sounds awesome. Great imagination and social skills. He'll be very popular in the playground. Leave him be.

[planestrainsautomobiles]

Beer he's not at school yet, we drop off DS1 and now he is friends with all the older boys.

Thanks Lazybones - I guess I should see the positive - he is very confident and sociable (a proper boys' boy, iykwim!)

He doesn't seem to upset anyone, actually I've seen them all pat him on the head and they're always shouting his name. Its just that I see him as they're entertainment and he gets quite manic chasing them round.

Will keep a good eye on him and double-check whether he is actually upsetting anyone and stress his needs to 'tone' it down slightly, sticker chart sounds good and comic on a Friday!

[ProbablyCaroline]

Is his language development ok? In your situation I would definitely talk to him before you set off for school...let him know that if he can play quietly without dinosauring people, then he will be rewarded.

I don't agree with those who say "this is how boys play" because it's not...not ALL boys anyway...if he's attracting the attention you describe then he's standing out for some reason.....ie the play is inappropriate.

[planestrainsautomobiles]

I do talk to him before we set off - he always sort of looks at me blankly and says "Yes I will" but then he just gets carried away the second he gets there.

I think I may turn up just as the whistle goes for the next week or so and let him know why and then trial it again in a weeks or so time and see if he can tone it down a bit.

Just spotted some parenting courses that I might try - I've heard boys can have a testosterone surge around this age so think I may need some more strategies to use to help handle / communicate with him effectively.

Thanks for your responses!!