Anyone with a child in Reception? How strict is the teacher?

[MrsGinnyPotter]

I know they have 30 and have to train them up but I just wondered how strict your child's teacher is with disciple - particularly sitting on the carpet!

[MrsGinnyPotter]

Discipline*

[IamnotaspoonIamafork]

I'd say LO's is incredibly gentle - but brilliantly effective. Love to know how she does it! She has a lively, mixed ability group with some challenges, but relentlessly focuses on noticing the positive, praising effort and individual improvement, and encouraging them to help each other. There's lots of free independent play to let off steam, and somehow carpet time seems pretty harmonious and peaceful. I suspect magic

[MajesticSeaFlapFlap]

My son's teacher is very strict but she is the most popular teacher in the school.

She very warm and cuddly too, my son wants to live with her in a caravan and have a pet camel

[MrsGinnyPotter]

How long are you expecting the children to sit like that koh? How would you help a child who is august born (boy) who can't seem to stop lying down and touching other children. His teacher said they have zero tolerance policy so he is being removed from carpet times when he does this. He has his own set of cue cards to remind him to to sit and he is still struggling to sit for more than a few minutes (even with an adult say next to him)

[StrumpersPlunkett]

I work in a reception class and there are times that it is important that the children sit on the carpet and listen.
There is never shouting, or particularly firm words it is more that the teacher makes it clear that everyone is waiting for quiet and very often she speaks quieter so they have to be v v quiet to hear what she is saying.
fidgeting disturbs the other children so it is v discouraged.

Some may find this v strict however they are on the carpet for 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the afternoon, aside from that they are able to wander from activity to activity so it is a minimal part of the day.

[TheOnlyColditz]

MrsGinnyPotter, if he really cannot sit up and listen for a few minutes, he maybe needs an assessment from an educational psychologist

[KittyandTeal]

I'm pretty strict. I always have been in any year group I've taught. I like to think I'm also quite fun (parents and teachers tell me I am)

I have expectations that children will sit on the carpet, still(ish), quietly, without interfering with anyone else for around 10mins. I hasten to add not 10 mins of listening but a 10 min fun activity.

I try to he very positive about good sitting etc but I do call out the ones who repeatedly don't do what I'm asking. They get a warning then sat out (away from the other children but still well within ear and eye shot so they can learn)

[minimalist000001]

It sounds to me that your teacher is doing all the right things. However, maybe you could take him to the park for half an hour before school, so he is more ready to sit down at school

[Blueskies80]

Ugh hate hate hate the idea that children need educational psychologists as they can't sit still on the carpet, when they are just four and adjusting to their surroundings, and probably in many cases just too young for school. Have read about 4 different parents of August borns with the same issue in the past day on this forum, coincidence? I think not.

Mrsginny- we have the same with my daughter who is just 4, August born. Was finding the atmosphere overwhelming. Refused point blank to sit. Time outs made her really upset. They are now relaxing a bit and using positive strategies and she is sitting better. Basically not punishing straight away. Having a special place to sit. Giving her a job, basically keeping her occupied. Positive strategies. Sounds like they are sitting for quite a while too. As she settles it is improving. Basically do whatever you can to settle your son, shorter days if you can, asking them to be positive, and hopefully he will start to improve as he settles. Good luck, you know your child best. X

[MrsGinnyPotter]

Thank you all. There is nothing wrong with him and he doesn't need an Ed Psych! He is just a physical boy who is young and finds it hard to sit still for long time. (they are expected to sit for long periods at a time sometimes) and they've only been at school 2 months.

[Blueskies80]

Definitely speak to the school about your concerns. I know they feel they have to be clear on boundaries straight away but it's such a new environment, I think surely positive strategy must be so much better than negative which is just going to knock their confidence?
could they start with him sitting well for two minutes then praise, build up to a longer stretch (although they do seem to be sitting them for quite a long time, not good for those children who struggle to sit still).

[Gileswithachainsaw]

I don't get the impression my Dds teacher is particularly strict.

I worried alot about dd2 starting school as she is ditsy a bit behind with her speech understanding and memory and although she try hard to behave she is easily distracted.

however her teacher and Tas have managed to instill the routine and rules without her being terrified if getting it wrong nor worried she can't do everything exactly.

early days still but I'd say she is realistic but firm enough they know what is expected of them.

she said herself ten mins sat listening on carpet was the absolute limit.

agree witg blueskies

[auntyclot]

My dd's Reception teacher has a reputation for being strict but I didn't think she was, she just had clear expectations. She was affectionate and positive with the children so I was happy.

I think they do expect them to sit still on the carpet and I agree that it sometimes isn't a developmentally appropriate target for some children.

My dd says it hurts her legs to sit with her legs crossed - I've encouraged her to talk to her teacher about that.