Page 11 | If you're a teacher, how do the kids seem at the moment?

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 2021-03-25T16:46:32+00:00

In light of all the reports of children's mental health and development suffering during lockdown, I've been wondering about this a lot. Have you noticed a big change in the kids you teach? Was it as bad as you feared? My DS9 seems to have come through it all more or less OK, though according to him he's currently getting told off a lot 'for no reason' [hmm] so reading between the lines, he's being a bit of a PITA. Hopefully it'll settle down. I know this sounds like a very 'journalist' post... all I can say is I promise I'm not! Been around for years and would make a crap journalist.

pollymere · 26/03/2021 18:13

Very chatty. Pleased to be back in school. Exhausted.

Pyeby · 26/03/2021 18:21

My year 3 class are chatty and have a lack of stamina and focus for work. To be expected though. Manners seem to have taken a hit...some speaking to staff quite rudely. This school year seems done as far as they're concerned, especially with exams cancelled. Despite this I'm sure most will get back on track eventually. I'm hoping we get a change in mood after Easter break. I feel sorry for them as it's been so disruptive this last year. Made me realise how valuable schools are for society, I say that as a parent too. Mine need it!

NotJustAnyOldDog · 26/03/2021 18:30

My reception class are so happy to be back. They want lunch by 10am and are ready for bed about 2 though!

MacDuffsMuff · 26/03/2021 18:31

Anxious. Behaviour, in general, has deteriorated but I'm more worried about some children feeling scared and nervous. It'll take time to get them back I think.

LyndaSnellsSniff · 26/03/2021 18:37

I'm not school staff but I am a governor at a primary school. The HT reported that the children were generally exited to be back, but there are "friendship" issues bubbling up. The children that were in school during lockdown have found it hard, almost as if their space has been invaded. Children are frustrated by the class bubbles and want to see friends in other classes. Many have lost fitness and some have gained quite a bit of weight.

We are planning a Well-being project in school. It'll be a three-pronged approach with bits for the children, parents and staff. It will include Zoom chats with parents about mental health, sleep, exercise etc. It might sound a bit patronising but I think parents will appreciate the opportunity to share concerns

Vladi10 · 26/03/2021 18:42

Primary teacher here, as others have said they’re shattered, bit unsettled but they’re ok. I’d agree, it’s been harder on them this time around and it will be interesting to see how they are after the Easter break

LovelyIssues · 26/03/2021 18:42

Both my DC attended school throughout lockdown and have struggled with the others returning. they enjoyed the smaller class setting and the whole class became as small very close friendship group. It was lovely really

y0rkier0se · 26/03/2021 18:45

I teach KS1 and the kids are struggling lots more this time than last time. We’ve also had 2x 2 week isolation periods as a class so have had very little time in school this year. Short attention spans, definitely handwriting etc deteriorated and they all seem very tired! Can’t wait to get back to a bit of normality and hopefully have an almost normal summer term!

RagzReturnsRebooted · 26/03/2021 18:52

@Makingnumber2

Totally agree with chatty and PITA. Y11 very demotivated- bless them. Students who struggled with poor behaviour (not linked to SEN) prior to lockdown had a great 2 weeks back (honeymoon period) and the sh1t has well and truly hit the fan this week. External exclusions left, right and centre.

My sons' secondary had the same. First week was okay and then they had a fight nearly every day the following week with loads of exclusions. They aren't good at control...

Newnormal99 · 26/03/2021 18:52

As many pp have said my daughters primary teacher said the ones that have struggled are those that have been in throughout.

They quite enjoyed the small classes abs extra support.

Fembot123 · 26/03/2021 18:55

@Mumgonenuts2020

We had a Zoom Parents evening last night, DD is 8, the same handwriting needs a lot of work, but she was stretched and had to write two long stories, which was painful but also an achievement under the circumstances, maths as well trying to teach her the way I was taught, I was learning more than she was!! This is is where relying Math shed and Spelling shed, they are not having to work it out in their heads! But saying that I struggled and used to use a calculator!! Reading seemed to be not a problem as she is reading subtitles and off the screen!! My DS is 12 and not happy getting to school but once there he seems quite chilled when he gets home!! I am not a Teacher, but if there is a shortage I am happy to volunteer...

😬

Fembot123 · 26/03/2021 18:57

@LovelyIssues

Both my DC attended school throughout lockdown and have struggled with the others returning. they enjoyed the smaller class setting and the whole class became as small very close friendship group. It was lovely really

Lovely for them, sadly not lovely for those that couldn’t go.

Fembot123 · 26/03/2021 18:58

I haven’t had a day these past couple of weeks without an internal exclusion

TheOneWithTheBigNose · 26/03/2021 19:02

@LovelyIssues

Both my DC attended school throughout lockdown and have struggled with the others returning. they enjoyed the smaller class setting and the whole class became as small very close friendship group. It was lovely really

Yes, it does sound really lovely. For those who weren’t allowed to attend it wasn’t quite so lovely. My 7 year old cried after every zoom lesson because she could see her friends chatting/laughing away in school in the background while she was isolated at home with two parents working full time.

wasgoingmadinthecountry · 26/03/2021 19:03

My little bunch are generally glad to be back-stamina seems to be a general theme. We're all shattered tonght and ready to break up on Thursday.

Normal (ish) service will resume after Easter, My youngest dd is in y12 - she's glad to be back too. She has had a full live timetable throughout and all of her teachers etc have gone far above and beyond.

Fembot123 · 26/03/2021 19:14

My DS was in the whole time and likes the kids he was with but is a lot happier now the whole crew is back.

restingbitchface30 · 26/03/2021 19:26

My husband is a teacher and he’s noticed a massive change in behaviour. The children at his school seem to be acting very aggressively and he’s already had to break up 4 fights in the past 2 weeks which is out of the norm. I’ve actually noticed an improvement in my son since he returned to school.

Fembot123 · 26/03/2021 19:27

We’ve had several fights at our school too @restingbitchface30

restingbitchface30 · 26/03/2021 19:31

@Fembot123 It’s a shame isn’t it. Children don’t have the ability to control their frustrations in the way an adult could. One of the fights he broke up was incredibly aggressive. There needs to be a lot more invested in children’s mental health.

Parentpower20 · 26/03/2021 19:34

Our primary school has been unfortunately doing tests on children second week back. The impact on mental health has been absolutely evident.

Fembot123 · 26/03/2021 19:37

[quote restingbitchface30]@Fembot123 It’s a shame isn’t it. Children don’t have the ability to control their frustrations in the way an adult could. One of the fights he broke up was incredibly aggressive. There needs to be a lot more invested in children’s mental health.[/quote]
I was talking to some of the kids who been fighting today and just trying to make them think about the potential consequences, I mean literally every time you punch someone you could kill them, it’s not hugely likely but the risk is there. My job is very stressful and I get a lot of abuse and some of the kids who see that say ‘How do you not hit the kids doing that’ 😂 It’s hard to explain to them that that’s just not a thing that most adults do!

starlilly88 · 26/03/2021 19:43

Gov guidance has been updated today that masks will still be worn in class after Easter, very sneakily done. The government should read this thread to get an idea of the damage this pandemic has done to kids, it’s very sad

Fembot123 · 26/03/2021 19:50

@starlilly88

Gov guidance has been updated today that masks will still be worn in class after Easter, very sneakily done. The government should read this thread to get an idea of the damage this pandemic has done to kids, it’s very sad

That is sneaky 😡

TheMoth · 26/03/2021 19:52

Is the sheer rudeness, refusal and attention seeking behaviour that wears you down.
'I'm not sitting in that seat. '
'Don't want to go outside at break'
'Why should I use 1 way system?'

Then the blanking you when you try to talk to them.

I have a daughter who tries attention seeking behaviour. We pull her on it. She knows what she's doing. I think a lot of us do know when we're doing it. I think for nt kids with no trauma, being pulled on attention seeking at home would do wonders for them.

Starlightstarbright1 · 26/03/2021 19:54

@Fembot123

I’m not sure why this is but some of our kids with ADHD are coming in without taking their meds for several days too.

My son had ADHD ..He was in school part time but has really struggled with the other children coming back.. That means mornings are particulary more challenging.. He spat his meds out one morning..

He is far more erratic since return to school. a few phonecalls / emails from tutor.. Far more contact than normal.