3 year old - Upset about trouble at pre-school - Any advice

[planestrainsautomobiles]

Hoping that some of you with older children may be able to help ...

My DS1 is at pre-school 5 mornings a week and his teacher has spoken to me this week about his rough and disruptive behaviour. Apparently, he runs around constantly crashing into people and sending them flying, wrestling on the floor, shouting. He was incessant on Monday with this type of behaviour and was a little better yesterday but still had to have two time outs after numerous warnings (he is only there for 3 hours!)

I've also just realised that he has an imaginary best friend at pre-school, he has mentioned a little boy and yesterday told me he was his best friend and that he asked if 'he was ok' after another little boy punched him (!!?). When I got home I checked the school list and there isn't a boy by that name (which was confirmed by his teacher this morning). So I'm now also worried about he is feeling lonely and left out. He's never had an imaginary friend before and he doesn't exist at home.

I'm finding it very upsetting and not sure how best to deal with it. What should I say to my DS and how can I help him to improve his behaviour at school????

Is this just a phase or should I be worried about something else?

Thanks for the response. I will definitely tell him your point about being hit or hurt - to tell the teacher. I'm not sure if he does tell the teacher and only opens up to me after an hour or so of coaxing from me (its obviously when he's upset about something).

I will speak to the teacher about him being lonely, its a hard time for him as we've moved to a new town so he doesn't have any pre-existing friends at pre-school but he has been there since September now.

Yes, they have lots of outside space, I think that is when he is just running into people and knocking them flying. I have asked him why he does this (as did his teacher in front of me) and he just shrugs it off and looks embarrassed.

Definitely book a chat with his keyworker. Then sit down and make some notes about your concerns. Enter into it as a team (you and keyworker). Hopefully you'll be able to sort out a Plan.

Thank you - I agree Beer!

Haven't been on the last couple of days but he has apparently been fantastic the last two days and has numerous stickers on his jumper!!

We (me & DH) both had a chat with him so maybe its had the desired effect,

Also when I leave him in the mornings I stay a little longer and settle him, working on an activity at one of the tables rather than just hanging around. His teacher said that this has made a difference.

I'm guessing it won't last but enjoying it whilst it does. Not nice being pulled up for his behaviour in front of the other mummies at pick up time.