Messing around in class - y3

[Musicmadmummy]

Looking for tips on how to help 8 yr old DS improve his behaviour in class (pleeeasee).

He is getting into trouble in class frequently for being silly and distracting others. He has lots of friends and is bright. Not mean, but gets over excited and doesn't concentrate on his lessons. He has plenty of concentration when it suits him for things like making models, Lego etc at home.

He's quite immature compared to his classmates.

The teacher moves him around a lot and praises good behaviour. Shes also told him off a lot too I think and kept him in at break sometimes.

I've tried nice cuddly chats and strong words too. I've brought his bed time forward too in case that was an issue.

Nothing seems to be getting through. He does get over excited at home too. We don't have many play dates as he gets too silly.

Anybody been through similar and can point me in the right direction??

[ballroompink]

Following with interest as we are having the same issues with DS1 who is in Year One. It wasn't an issue last year at school but is very much so this year.

[Musicmadmummy]

That's it.. it's not so much as an issue when they are younger and often can all still be a bit silly but when the work starts to increase and your child is still messing around it's a worry!
Really hoping others may have some experience to share. It's hard when the issue is at school and not so much at home.

[mynameismrbloom]

Is he scared of the work? If it is challenging for him, maybe he is messing about to distract people from that fact?

Maybe you could try preparing him at home for the next day so he gets some confidence and enthusiansm about doing well?

[mynameismrbloom]

*enthusiasm

[Apple23]

Some ideas:
Get his hearing checked - with even a slight loss he may be missing instructions and/or the reminders to settle down and continuing until told off and losing break.
Practise active listening and following instructions with more than one part. Not hearing or not listening would also account for the behaviour you describe at home.

Good for looking at the bedtime routine. Also look at the morning routine. He may need no screens or to walk or cycle to school to burn off excess energy. Walking with a backpack can help some children with calming down.

[Apple23]

If the above makes no improvement, then meet with teacher and set up a behaviour chart where each session is "scored" e.g. With a happy/straight/sad face or points. Your child needs to show you this daily. Remember anything you put in place will carry more weight with your child than what school does.

Use the information in two ways:

1. Give reward points or stickers based on the daily scores on the behaviour chart. Never take these away once given. Agree a reward which he can work towards by accumulating points. The reward should not be expensive, should be something that he wants, involve your time and attention, and be achievable within a short time-frame, e.g. extra trip to the park, baking, a Lego building competition. Once achieved, set a new reward and a higher target to achieve it.
   

1. Start to look for patterns: is the worst misbehaviour in the same lessons, e.g. a subject he finds difficult, at a time when he might be getting hungry before lunch, or before or after a change in his routine at home or school? If there is a pattern, you and the teacher can then find ways of breaking it.

[Musicmadmummy]

Thank you, thank you!
Some excellent advice here that is really giving me food for thought.
I have thought that it is less likely to be that he is finding the work challenging as he has sailed through the previous years always being streaks ahead but perhaps now he's having to work a bit harder that's where we are having problems.
I'll look at the morning too to see what I can do to burn off some energy before school. Interesting about the backpacks!
Will check hearing and also will implement the excellent idea with the school if no improvement.

Looking for patterns is so obvious but I would never have thought about it.

Again, thank you. Really good to get some fresh advice.

[BlueChampagne]

DS2 started Y3 being a bit silly, but now the teacher has changed who he sits with in class, and that has made a big difference. Might be worth asking?