Do you think teachers know how hard it is to motivate young children at home?

[SonnetForSpring]

My DC's teachers are lovely. However, I don't get the sense from them that they actually know how hard it is to get one written sentence out of a 6 year old who is completely disengaged by online learning! I feel like I have to keep covering for him as they will be shocked by what his work is like without my help, but I'm not really supposed to help? As he wouldn't have help at school. I just don't get it...

I'm sure plenty of teachers have their own young children. Don't cover for your DS. I tell DD (she's in Y2) that I'll send in what she's done whether that's 1 sentence or 10. She knows her teacher won't be overly impressed with 1 and she loves her teacher. Also, no TV or tablet etc until all tasks are completed so that motivates her too. She can complete it in one hour or she can sit at the table until dinner time, her choice. She has always chosen option A. I do help her though. I don't leave her alone to work through it. I don't know how much support the children in school are getting but me not helping my DD won't help them, will it?

Teacher here - don’t worry - most know. Especially if they are parents too. My 4 year old will do sweet FA for me, but an entire class of 5 year olds will do most of what I want at work. Don’t cover for him, send in what he produces! They will not be remotely shocked. Explain to them what’s going on and how he’s struggling to motivate himself and ask what their expectations are for how much support you should give. Teachers do not expect to see immaculate spelling and punctuation and they will have seen what he produces usually in class. You will be doing brilliantly

Of course we do; we’re trying to teach our own children and yours simultaneously.

I teach a mix of year 1 and year 2 and being reasonably "expert" in the age range, I know exactly how hard it must be to motivate children at home. Hence the myriad of strategies in place to engage children in school.

Keep at it OP, I'm calling parents every evening this week to see how they are.

And yes, I can get 30 kids to do whatever I ask them to do. Will my 6 year old? Will he balls

Thank you everyone

Oh also, class support is v different- teachers give input and then support in many different ways - resources, TA, teacher support, stop and feedback, self marking, peer marking, guided tasks, self reflection... they won’t be sat next to each child all the time, they physically can’t, so it’s already a totally different style. You can’t replicate school, but do speak to them and explain you would like a little guidance on how best to support

Interesting timed question. I've 4 teachers in my team, 2 with kids, 2 without. The difference in expectation, length of video, time spent just chatting with our classes etc, is quite marked.

My 6 year old is doing very little work, she's HATING it. Her dad can get some writing out of her, I can con her in to doing some maths, but that's it. I watch the vids, then do the maths with something physical, we use Talk for Writing to get her writing. This is not what we're supposed to be doing.

Also, at home there are pets, doorbells, the idea of constant snacks... do you know what would happen to a class if there was a knock at the door and in wandered a cat?

Yes they do. I have two of them. Its a challenge to day the least.

I'll just echo what everyone else has said...we know! I teach year 1 and have my own year 2. 30 year ones listen to me, my own 6 year old gets asked "Do you do that in school?!" (No he doesn't, apparently he's great there, typically!) We know your struggles!

RuleWithAWoodenFoot

The cat is the bane of my life at the moment . He loves her and she has great timing...

So many teachers are going through this with their own children your not alone.

Thank you everyone. I was feeling really disheartened and a little concerned that maybe his behaviour was unusual. We will keep plodding along. Thank you for your kindness

@RuleWithAWoodenFoot what are you seeing as different between those who have dc and those who don't?

Of course we do; we’re trying to teach our own children and yours simultaneously.

Hat's off to @PotteringAlong for doing both. My 6yo's teacher isn't teaching him. She's bunged them some worksheets and a PowerPoint and told them to write 6 sentences on a subject. Cut paste reminder about sentence and letter formation. Same reminder every english/geography assignment (for some reason thats all we are getting, maths English and geography). Can't work her email, doesn't do phone calls. She hasn't got young dc. Maybe an older teen I think. Will be in school but then sends the dc a video message telling them its very stressful!

Fortunately y5 teacher is doing more. Guess y2 not too important.

If I sound snippy its because I've just finished work . Massive distraction in work as today was creative play according to school. 10yo baked 6yo went to town in the craft box, glued stuff to other stuff.

It would be really nice if the teachers could come as empathetic then about it all
And if they could be more understanding and put less pressure on us/the children

Obviously I've only got my experience to go by

Because from the impression I get from my child's teacher they don't get it at all

My 8 year old can’t do his work by himself. I’m not sure how he manages in school but it’s why I’ve been trying to push for online lessons, to no avail so they can sod off if they think hes not doing enough

Do you think parents now know how hard it is to motivate children in school?

what are you seeing as different between those who have dc and those who don't

Purely anecdotal. Those with kids have more realistic expectations. Around quality of work rather than quantity/doing something. I cancelled maths yesterday and did a chat session instead.

My child won't EVER read to me. EVER. Lockdown or no lockdown. I hear her reading to herself, her teacher says she's fine...

... basically, teachers kids don't want to work at home either. The bonus for us is I think we probably care much less because we know how it works.

Oh great - another teacher bashing thread .

Teachers without children don’t always realise how different kids are with parents at home. At primary their teacher is a demi-god like figure! Teens won’t work for anyone if they don’t want to! It’s very hard, a big strain on the relationship at an already difficult time for many

@Chailatteplease, How is your son's work being set then, if not online?

Ahola, I would have thought that if motivation was an ongoing problem in a school environment, that there would be a plan to use more reinforcing strategies? Or do we expect children to cooperate 5 days a week when there is nothing in it they find reinforcing? Surely, that is exactly what teachers are trained to do? Especially, with young children. The content is not complicated, it's the delivery and the way teachers engage and enthrall young kids that's makes them qualified teachers? Or am I mistaken?

Do you think parents now know how hard it is to motivate children in school?

Yes. Lots of parents saying x doesn't focus.. yes, I know! None of them do without the school environment and teacher relationship.

And how little gets done in school, especially with younger kids. A whole day in terms of output might be very little.