As clever as a goldfish ...

[dimplebum]

DS (4) and I were chatting earlier and he said "I'm as clever as a goldfish aren't I?" I said yes you are clever. He then went on to say "mrs x at school says I'm as clever as a goldfish - she always says it to me"

Am I reading into this too much, or do you think this is a Detogatory comment?

Should I mention anything to the teacher?

It sounds more like a term of endearment to me. If you're uncomfortable with it speak to the teacher. X

Are you saying goldfish are stupid? Well that's goldfishist - cease and desist at once.

Oh and

YABU

No, I think that sounds like a clear put-down.

Maybe it's something she jokingly says to all the kids now and again. If so, it's not a problem.

But if she does mostly say it to your DS then it's not fair.

Have a word. Kids should be encouraged.

Just noticed the typo - derogatory

I had a goldfish and it was pretty shite at most subjects, except swimming.

I suspect the teacher is being a bit sarcastic. I would ask her, nicely of course, but still ask.

goldfish have an (unfair) reputation for being stupid- i'd take it as a derogatory comment, i'd assume she was calling your DS thick.

I think this is funny and quite endearing. I suspect it is a slight put down but nothing to worry about. It is probably just one of those things she says. Some things are so not worth an argument.

It makes me quite sad, poor DS he isn't the brightest button but he works his little socks off! This is the main reason why I thought it was a sarcastic comment as we are all aware that he doesnt find school work naturally easy. Just pleased that DS is oblivious to it at the moment.
Can't she think of something nice to say? I'm getting quite cross now!

It all depends on the context it was said in,
if it was say a group activity and they were going around the group doing "x is as y as a z" eg freya is strong as an ox, adam is as stripy as a zebra etc, after about 6 children I would have run out of "normal" things to say, and would have got into the funny ones.

On the other hand if DS was constantly asking "am I clever" "am I more clever than Sam" "who/what am I as clever as" not saying that he does btw then perhaps the answer would be a goldfish.

Or mrs x might just have been trying to make him laugh and not thinking about what actually came out of her mouth.
Is mrs x a TA or dinner lady?

She's a TA, and takes DS daily for letters and sounds.

Quite possibly part of an activity rather than a put down.

Eg
"F. You're as green as a frog
G. You're as clever as a goldfish,
H. You're as tall as a house.
What can you think of for i ?"

I think silly things get remembered, and are useful to get young children to remember important things without realising it.

Have you asked DS why (or when) mrs x says it, and what she says to the the others?

No, I wouldn't be happy hearing this. Go in and ask her what she means by it

I don't often get to telling parents to get in and sound off, BUT, this is insulting.

Your little lad is trying and she is taking the mick.

He should be encouraged, not made fun of.

Go in and politely question the phrasing - "what does this phrase mean? I'm curious, as I've never heard it used except in an insulting way"

Find out what this person can possibly be hoping to achieve by this.

You cannot tell if it was a put down or not unless you knowthe context. Little DC's love doing silly things like deliberately answering questions wrong. If this is what your DS did then the teacher could well have been saying it. In a jokey silly way.

I wouldn't worry about it unless something else happens. However, if you are worried that you DC's may be taking it literally you could mention it to the teacher.

When I helped teach I would often call the DC's horrible monsters. It was an ongoing joke that only the horrible monsters could go out to play but all the good DC's had to stay and keep me company. Funnily enough every single DC would race out to the playground laughing while I pretended to be shocked.

The DCs were about 5/6 and I know they all got the joke.

I would be surprised if a teacher called a DC stupid in a malicious way but, of course, it is not impossible.