Our DD turns eight in a few months. Me and OH are continually taken aback by the pressure that she feels at school, especially during subjects such as English.
We feel like they put so much emphasis on perfection within each lesson that it stifles their creativity or leaves them uneasy.
It’s the language the teacher uses, last years teacher was similar.
“You must have your neatest handwriting”
“You have to include as many adjectives, nouns, (and other grammar things that I hadn’t heard of!) in your work”
As a child so young she takes everything said very literally and seriously and is getting herself into knots because she is worried about getting into trouble.
We’ve tried to reassure her to just do her best and that we don’t expect her to do her greatest handwriting or work every single time as that would be exhausting for anyone. It works for a couple of days and then she comes back sad and stressed again that the teacher is pulling a face or raising her voice/using words that they aren’t doing this, or they need to do that.
Last week she had to go back into class after lunch because she had done up to question three and the teacher wanted eight done. She became really upset because when she showed the teacher the extra questions she had come back to do, the teacher apparently just rolled her eyes and sighed because she didn’t manage to do the full eight.
I just don’t see how this is supportive at all. If they want work done at speed they shouldn’t expect perfect handwriting as well.
Does anyone else have this problem? Just feels a lifetime from how they used to teach when I was in her year. I understand they ramp it up in key stage 2, but we just feel that it’s a bit much.
Apparently the pages get covered in markings of what should be done, what’s been missed out. And she comes back deflated and picks herself apart. I feel horrible for her.
I understand you need to gee a class up and have them focussed but there doesn’t seem to be a balance?