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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Tired children after school...

54 replies

FSTeacher · 08/03/2013 20:10

Dear all,

I am not a parent, but an Early Years trained teacher. I am currently teaching a class of 26 Reception aged children (between 4 and 5 years old), the class will go up to 30 after Easter.

In recent discussions with parents, some are concerned about how tired their children are after school.

I ensure the children have time to relax in the afternoon as a whole class and then create the opportunity to continue this relaxation until home time if they seek it. We talk a lot about listening to our bodies and knowing when our bodies need a rest and when they need to use up energy. I certainly have no problems within the classroom as the children show no signs of being too tired in school. However, parents suggest that by not insisting ALL children relax I am not fulfilling my duty of care and therefore disregarding children's well-being.

I would welcome suggestions on how other parents manage their child's tiredness after school as well as advice on how I might run the day slightly differently to alleviate some of this stress. I will not insist that all children rest all afternoon as not all children need it.

I believe that children do learn to make decisions regarding their basic needs at this young age.

Thanks!

OP posts:

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snice · 10/03/2013 23:22

which is why I said 'some reception children' MrsMushroom !

my own children were always full of beans after school as long as I crammed a biscuit in their mouths the minute we got through the front door

Eachpeachpearwherestheplum · 10/03/2013 23:22

FSTeacher I am so a teacher and mum of a reception child.

One thing that I do think would really help is a 2:30 toilet stop and snack time, then story. So that my 3pm the childrens blood sugar is stable, they are comfy and have had a calm end to the day.

The worse time to do PE is the end of the day,its stressful getting changed last minute and getting ready to go home, so avoid as much as possible.

I would also try and ensure that children are working in small groups on teacher directed tasks right throughout the day for shorter amounts of time, so not all am then free flow pm.

Lavenderhoney · 11/03/2013 19:17

My ds comes home, has a snack and drink with his little sister who is thrilled to see him. They watch crap tv for a bit then we do any homework - spellings or whatever- then they play. It's free time. Sometimes we swim or dd has an activity after ds school so me and ds have some time together, then home and repeat. Bed at 7pm , stories etc

We don't do activities after school for ds. He gets over tired, over emotional and prefers to play with his sister, watch tv. He used to fall asleep in the car which sometimes made for a later bedtime, but that's ok as I am relaxed about it. Maybe their dc are napping and eating into adult time in the evening?

Plus some dc have after school extra tuition which they are probably too tired for. But that is the parents decision and nothing you can do about it. Unless they are too tired for school next day!

helsbels03 · 11/03/2013 22:04

Wow what a caring teacher. I assume for the complaining parents this is their first child going to school?? I have 3 dc and am a teacher myself and most children are tired after school- they come to learn and that is tiring, you are not a babysitter. I definitely find giving mine a snack as soon as they come out helps, and an early bedtime. It's tough on days I work as I only have an hour- maybe this is the case with your parents? Perhaps they resent having to put them to bed so early and miss their time with them?

pudding25 · 11/03/2013 22:10

I am also a primary teacher with a child in reception. Kids are tired after school. Nicely, tell them to get a grip! Also, tell them to make sure their DC are going to bed by 7pm so they get a decent sleep if they are really tired. Limit playdates and clubs.

frecklemum · 11/03/2013 22:32

My dd2 used to come home from school and put her pj's straight on. She has a summer birthday- so one of the youngest in her year and completely shattered by around 6pm. She would have an early tea (4.30pm) and never go to after school activities until at least after Easter, We used to give her a bath in the morning as she wouldn't have coped even lasting till 7pm.

nailak · 11/03/2013 22:52

Doesn't anyone think it is an issue that the education system in this country means we do not get quality time with kids?

kids finish at 3.30, come home by four, tea, a bit of rest and tv, then is time for homework, supper bath and bed.

I think systems where kids go to school from 7.30-1 then are home for lunch and can then rest and have whole afternoon to spend with family, are better for family life and following different interests.

MrsMushroom · 11/03/2013 23:05

Nail I think our system is too ridgid in the early years and with far too much emphasis on early reading etc.

I would like less push on academics and a 4 day week for the little ones. Although your idea of school ending early sounds nice, there would be a LOT of kids with child minders in the afternoons and not with family at all...people work.

Andro · 11/03/2013 23:05

Except not every family has a SAHP, so children would be in childcare until a parent finished work - it wouldn't make a difference without an entire cultural shift to having a SAHP being the norm.

nailak · 11/03/2013 23:15

yes I agree, I think our system is more geared up to benefit a working lifestyle then a lifestyle geared towards family time and extra curricular activities.

This is not to say WOHP dont have quality time with their kids, this is not the point of what i am saying.

A lot of people work, but a lot of people also work shifts, nights, evenings etc.

MrsMushroom · 11/03/2013 23:21

Andro but it WOULD make a difference to the children who have a parent on shifts or part time.

Andro · 11/03/2013 23:39

That's true MrsMushroom, but it could also be argued that it could disadvantage children with 2 WOH parents...especially if the earlier start means an earlier bedtime (thus meaning even less time with their parents).

Startail · 11/03/2013 23:52

Tired!
I wish, DF said my 8pm bedtime since a toddler DD1 would be tired when she started school. Her DCs went to bed at 6.30

Was she tired, of course she wasn't.

As for DD2, she both happily did longer than school at nursery and followed DD1s bad example.

In truth I'm not convinced DCs are half as tired as their parents like to think they are.

But some of them are grumpy and badly behaved. DD2 I'm looking at you. DD2 is an absolute angel at school and takes out all her pent up irritations on me as she walks out the gate.

nailak · 12/03/2013 00:53

so basically andro as a society we prioritise having two woh parents, over time that could be spent in family activities?

nailak · 12/03/2013 00:55

my kids regularly fall asleep when coming home from nursery school (youngest is 2 middle 4 and oldest 6) I also remember coming home from 6th form/year 11 and falling asleep on the sofa most days. This has the knock on effect that they are up in the evening!

Snazzynewyear · 12/03/2013 01:41

You sound like a lovely teacher OP. I too suspect that quite a few of these kids aren't getting enough sleep and need earlier bedtimes.

anonymosity · 12/03/2013 03:00

I think its normal - its not that they are physically over-tired, but that the stimulation is needing time thereafter to be processed.

With my own Dcs at that age they would definitely have a rest after school and some food, a bit of quiet time before the inevitable surge of late day energy.

Andro · 12/03/2013 10:20

I think nailak that we do now prioritise 2 WOH parents (at least to a certain extent), mainly because so many families can no longer afford to live on one income. The answer is a complete culture change, but I'm not sure the kind of overhaul required is even possible.

MrsMushroom · 12/03/2013 11:03

Andro I wouldn't advocate a 7.30 start...but I WOULD advocate a 4 day week for infants.

Those with 2 working parents could benefit from a fully play based day...more like nursery, on the Friday....the others, could stay at home or attend as their parents chose.

Andro · 12/03/2013 12:56

I take your point MrsMushroom, I really do. I have no doubt that many children you benefit from what you suggest, I'm just having a bit of trouble 'visualising' it because my DD adapted to full time reception so easily (and a full day of 'play based' activities would have bored her senseless).

MrsMushroom · 12/03/2013 13:39

Then the 5th day of non compulsory play...comapany of her peers...and creative, play based activities would suit her wouldn't they? But for others, who may be more tired...or having more of a hard time settling in, the 4 day week would be ideal.

One day of full play and outdoor activities would probably reduce the problem of obesity as well.

ZZZenAgain · 12/03/2013 13:49

IMO the school day is far too long for 4 year olds.

Andro · 12/03/2013 14:27

Your idea make a lot of sense MrsMushroom.

nailak · 12/03/2013 14:32

on friday afternoons they have golden time at my dds school, it seems this means they sit and watch disney movies

MrsMushroom · 12/03/2013 14:45

Nail have you said anything about that? I wouldn't consider that Golden. I'm not a weirdo and of course my DC watch the odd movie....but it should be a once a term treat imo.

School is for learning...not for sucking up Disney shite. I'd feel more positively about it if the films were at least educational! But my DD...she hates sitting through a whole film...like me, she often gets bored halfway and wants to DO something.

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