DD is being cheeky with after-school Teacher .

[FuntoLearn]

Hi,

DD (6) has been taught (after school) english and poetry lessons every weeks for for around 18 months.

Trouble is, she is on Christian name terms and DD is a bit cheeky with teacher. Teacher doent really discipline her either. She is retired BTW.

Think it should be more like school. Any suggestions on how to make it more formal but not discourage DD from going - Dont want to be wasting money and want her to learn before Teacher gives up on her. Think the teacher should have been more formal to start with but she is a little eccentric (and lovely with it) and wants to make the subject matter exciting...

Any advice would be welcome.

I think that's 2 separate issues TBH - if the teacher doesn't mind it being informal, and your dd being a bit cheeky, then I don't think that in itself is a problem - it's kind of up to the adult what she thinks is appropriate, so long as cheekiness doesn't spill over to home or school.

But it sounds like you don't think she's actually learning anything - maybe you could talk to the teacher about what they're covering, and what she thinks your daughter is gaining from it, so that you are both clear what you're trying to do with these extra lessons?

It sounds like they're both enjoying themselves, but you need to know what it is you're paying for - just fun or something more specific.

What are you expecting her to gain from the lessons? What is the agreement you have with the teacher?

Hi thanks for the comments,

She is reading from poetry books and passages from books that have a similar theme. This will then move onto a LAMDA type recital exam - but we havent really broached the exam idea with DD yet and I dont think DD is ready for this yet as just 6 (but very bright).

She seems to treat it as if Teacher is like a family friend rather than a teacher.
I have spoken to DD today about calling teacher by Mrs X rather than X so its just like teacher at school. She seems happy with that.

Just not sure if she is learning anything.

Why dod you decide to send her to this particular teacher? Sorry for the inquisition - I don't really understand the situation!

Wanted her to appreciate poetry and this int really covered in school.

Also DD very into reading and poetry at home. She also does Drama so its really for her to underatnd the writing aspect of it all and to move her into LAMDA exams at a later stage (elocution etc etc) - and this isnt covered at state school.

So the point of it is about reciting poetry aloud then? I guess the only way you can decide if she is "learning" anything is if she seems to be getting better at it, and/or exams at some stage. I'm thinking of it as something similar to singing or musical instruments lessons - with those, you hear your child practice at home and can tell if they are improving. Does your dd do practice at home for this?

I think, also like music lessons, you have to think through what the point of it is - some people just want their child to experience making music, others hope that they will get grade exams in it. You need to agree with the teacher what it is meant to be "for", if anything!

If the teacher thinks you are just sending your dd because it's something she enjoys, then her idea of "progress" will be different than if she thinks you are focussing on exams for the future.

OK, See your point. Many thanks for the feedback all.

Will discuss with the teacher and go from there.