Disaffected 7 year old? What really does this mean?

[Canthisonebeused]

I didn't he e a particularly positive parents evening. Am aware dd has encountered a change in her progression. So no surprise.

But what surprised me was her teacher suggested she was disaffected.

Now my understanding of disaffected in terms of a social phenomenon is particularly concerning in terms of outcomes.

Now what does disaffected mean in terms of talking about a 7 year olds education and attainment. What has played on my mind is that I was given the description of a child who is distracted by their own thoughts...but then ended with not to worry as she is bubbly and generally happy . So what was ment by disaffected then?

I'm a bit confused wether I should be particularly worried about this, which of course I am worrying or if the teacher used a poor choice of words, or my own interpretation of her words is a bit OTT? I'm aware something has changed with dds motivation but to digest she is troubled is not what I would describe.

Suggest not digest

It could mean rebellious against the teacher's authority. I think it is pretty normal. She is probably a bit challenging and independent. But she is bubbly and happy, so just a normal part of growing up.

Or it may mean that she seems disengaged and bored with the lessons

I agree with claig's definition.

I did Ask if maybe she was bored or not particularly challenged and she was very clear that the work is challenging enough. I found the teacher quite negative in term of how she spoke to me and how she spoke about my dd. So maybe your first suggestion was right.

She had ran over by about 20 mins previously and parents evening slots ate 10 mins she was with the parent before me for over 15 mins and I had about 5 mins so teacher was probably frazzled I'm sure and I tend not to expect more than allocated time.

But she had also incidentally told my dd off in the day and placed her on a warning which my dd was very upset about and the teacher told me dd had cried but dd didn't mention this.

Depends what this teacher is like. There may even be a bit of a personality clash between your DD and the teacher and that might make DD a bit more disaffected.

I don't think it is anything to worry about though.

Maybe just my interpretation of disaffection is that it suggests something particularly worrying.

If it was really worrying then the teacher would have made it clear to you. Instead she said "not to worry as she is bubbly and generally happy".

It is nothing serious.

Thanks for input. I still think it's a particularly strong and negative label to use for 7 year old. Will see how she gays on this term. I wonder though what the teacher intends to do with this now it has been identified she did not indicate anything other than don't worry.

Hmm I think she is using the term wrongly anyway. To me it suggests a child from a bad background who has developed behaviour problems that lead to bad treatment in school and so they generally lose all interest in school. That is clearly not the case here but what exactly she means by it is hard to say.

Well that is my take on disaffection and so I wanted to see what others here may think, if there was another slightly less stigmatising use in terms of learning Nd education language so to speak, I hope she meant it in terms Craig suggests as this helps me think I can work on it at home in terms of positivity etc, but she did make out dd seemed troubled at times which is not in the slightest bit accurate.

I think it means your daughter does not really care about her work or class and whatever the teacher says she may just not be that interested and perhaps just sort of shrugs, I do think she will come round with encouragement how is she with your authority at home will she take a telling off or instruction or does she ignore you ?

Depends on the person who used the term. I'm sure many use language that isn't quite right for the situation. I'd speak to the teacher and ask them to expand on what exactly they meant.

I agree joysmum people use words that they don't really need to imo I think the teacher could have explained plainer and give you a more indepth insight to what was going on, it is a confusing word to use as it can have a different meaning iyswim

She dorsnt ignore me no, will do as she is told etc. lately quite dramatic and over reacts at a telling off at times, in terms of oh that's so unfair etc. but she is a really well behaved little girl at home and as I have been lead to believe at school.

She has experienced mean behaviour from one particular girl since y1 and not always well managed by school, but this seems to have been nipped in the bud this term by this particular teacher.she does not have a very close circle of friends but she tends to play with everyone and anyone.

As far as I gathered from dds mood etc I was under the impression she was happier in this school year so far than she has ever been. No complaining about the one particular mean girl. Not once said she has had no one play with, been on play dates which she has never before.

However I have noticed she isn't as motivated as reading as she has been or not as enthusiastic with homework as she used to be and she isn't progressing with some things quite as she previously was but I put that down to the gap and slower progress between levels and sub levels etc. so wax aware but not concerned in any way.

School have pushed her quite a bit as she is very bright and generally top of yr, y1 and y2. But her teacher said that she expected her to be very different from how she is based on what teachers say about her and wax surprised she almost didn't match how she was described. I didn't particularly like that comment either and didn't understand why she said this and again felt it very negative.

I maybe should have questioned the teacher more but I just felt a little deflated and sad for dd during the meeting so didn't really discuss any of it as she said but worry she is happy and bubbly.

Ask to speak with the teacher again, as Joysmum said.
Tell her that you have been worried about the term 'disaffected' and want to understand more about what the teacher means so that you can do something to help.

I think the teacher may then be able to put your mind at rest and explain better what the situation really is.

I agree ask for an appointment to see the teacher ask her again what she meant as it wasn't exactly clear what was happening in class

because what you are saying the teacher said I don't really understand either