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Original poster

The Sad Cloud, opinions please

45 replies

mykidsmum · 12/01/2006 18:36

Hi, at my children's school in reception they have a sad cloud on the wall. If a child misbehaves their photograph is put on the Sad Cloud, for all classmates and parents to see for a week. Would love to hear if anyone has an opinion on this, is it a good thing, bad thing, or does your school do something similar, TIA

OP posts:
FairyMum · 12/01/2006 18:37

Horrible idea.

jane313 · 12/01/2006 18:43

a week? and a photo. Thats really horrible

fruitful · 12/01/2006 18:43

So that would be the "Lets emphasise the negative behaviour" policy?

Do they have a Happy Cloud?

And a week! For 5-yr-olds! I think its an awful idea anyway, but leaving the photo up for a week is incredible. Do the children even remember what it was there for at the end of the week? Does that mean it doesn't matter how they behave for the rest of the week cos their photo is already up there?

Original poster
mykidsmum · 12/01/2006 18:44

They also have the Try Hard Star, The listening Star and the Look after Things star

OP posts:
hana · 12/01/2006 18:45

that's awful
whatever happned to ignoring negative behaviours and reinforcing the postive ones
i'd be having a word with school

fruitful · 12/01/2006 18:45

and is it the usual school photo with the happily smiling child? because that would just be funny...

blimey, why not make a big label saying "bad bad child" and stick it on the kid's forehead for a week?

jane313 · 12/01/2006 18:46

and a dunces cap?

Hausfrau · 12/01/2006 18:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Twiglett · 12/01/2006 18:47

Well I'm sorry but at reception age there should be some form of response to negative behaviour .. that goes beyond ignoring

how do you possibly manage a class of up to 30 children with children being able to get away with bad / anti-social / disruptive behaviour

Of course positive reinforcement is key, but I think the use of a 'thinking' chair and the use of a 'sad' and 'happy' place for kids names is appropriate .. its the length of time that is totally inapporpriate

Original poster
mykidsmum · 12/01/2006 18:49

So glad I'm normal for feeling slightly peeved by this, my little boy misbehaved at the end of the school day yesterday, nothing major, just not listening to story(very unlike him. He spent all evening worrying about being put on the cloud, consequently so did I, mainly because as parents we are encouraged to spend 20 mins in the morning in the class, was petrified of other parents labelling my child as naughty. Luckily he wasn't on it, but will be having words if he evr is

OP posts:
Auntymandy · 12/01/2006 18:50

think for a day but not a week!

Blandmum · 12/01/2006 18:51

I think the photo is a bad idea, I also think that 5 days might be excessive. However schools do have to do something to disuade poor behavior as well as praising the positive.

I have primary teacher friends who have been called a 'Fucking Cunt', for example, by children in reception. I have also know pleanty who have been punched or kicked. If the children are very disruptive, then I don't think that a name in the unhappy cloud for a day is OTT.

jane313 · 12/01/2006 18:51

I don't think anyone said there should't be a response. Its the time and the photo and everyone seeing it that are an issue. I have used sad and happy faces but on the board and rubbed away at the end of the day. Many 4 and 5 years old can't remember if they have had lunch let alone what they did 4 days ago.

Original poster
mykidsmum · 12/01/2006 18:52

I'm just not sure humiliation is the key, photograph for all to see.

OP posts:
gomez · 12/01/2006 18:52

Green, amber, red in DD1s P1 class. I honestly didn't think that much about, presuming they need some way of noting inappropriate, okay I'll say it, bad behaviour.

Although from what DD says they need to be pretty awful to move even onto amber. She was warned that her giggling/whispering was moving her name towards amber and she was mortified. Job done!

Original poster
mykidsmum · 12/01/2006 18:54

Like that idea Gomez
martianBishop, thats just awful.

OP posts:
Blandmum · 12/01/2006 18:54

It is, isn't it?

gomez · 12/01/2006 18:57

But if they are as bad as MB's example they probably won't care if they are in The Sad Cloud - might in fact be a badge of honour!

Original poster
mykidsmum · 12/01/2006 18:57

And I suppose not that uncommon? My main worry is labelling children particularly at such an early age, also on the part of the parents, who may think, "ohh he's a naughty boy, maybe I won't invite him to ds' party."

OP posts:
Blandmum · 12/01/2006 18:59

You'd be surprised what can turn kids around. When they are that bad parents often don't give a toss, and the kids have never been taught how to behave. Most kids want to get the approval of adults at least until they are 12 or so , at which point we have them in secondary . there wil always be kids that you can't reach, but most can be helped.

jane313 · 12/01/2006 18:59

and children can get labelled very early by other children and gossipy parents. I remember a parent complaining to me that one boy had been hitting her daughter (he had various special needs) and he wasn't even in school that day.

Original poster
mykidsmum · 12/01/2006 19:02

I really take my hat off to teachers.

OP posts:
MaloryTowers · 12/01/2006 19:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

kalex · 12/01/2006 19:08

DD has a sad cloud, which I have to say I was really worried about, and therefore spoke to the teacher, she said it was for bad behaviour, pushing in line, shouting out and other minor indiscretions. They are there until their behaviour improves, 1/2 hour, 1/2 day, whole day.

The day we went in to see the class, the names had all been taken down.

They also have a reward rocket, and this appears to be far more used. Positive reinforcement.

DD says children are warned several times before going onto it, and so I really don't have a probl;em with it. And if her name was ever on it, she knows she's be in big trouble at home too.

jane313 · 12/01/2006 19:08

yes most schools have something like it. The issue is its up there for a week surely.

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