Incidents at Nursery

[mumtoone]

I am just wondering how many times your children have ended up in the Incident book at nursery, if at all. My ds has been in the Incident book 3 days out of the last 4 due to scratching other children. I am really embarassed but I'm not sure there is a vast amount I can do. I can't tell him off when he gets home because its so long after the event that he doesn't understand. He's had these little phases before where he scratches or hits for a couple of days then he's fine for months. Is this fairly normal for a boy who's just over 2.

Hi mumtoone,

I'd say first of all try not to be embarassed as alot of kids go through periods of biting, hitting out and as you say scratching. They do this for many different reasons but I think that in most cases, as yound children are so egocentric they haven't got the skills to share, take turns, or verbalise their desires so being physical is a natural response to wanting something that a peer may have.

I would ask the staff to tell you about the setting and tinings of these incidents to see if there is a common link or pattern. Is he scratching the same child? Does it look as if he wants a toy? Did another child do something to him/take something from him?

I find having the whole picture gives me a clearer indication of what may be causing certain behaviour and that way the staff can help him overcome this phase. As I say, don't feel embarrassed- at this age, children do not do these things on purpose, rather they are exploring, pushing boundaries or instinctively protecting 'their favorite possessions/toys' as they see themselves as the center of their world.

Did I understand correctly that your child's nursery records incidents that THEY have caused? I have never heard of this. At my ds's nursery the incident book records actions that have been caused to him.

Sorry aboutn the poor spelling- it's the bewitching hour!!!!

Hi mumtoone,

I'd say first of all try not to be embarassed as alot of kids go through periods of biting, hitting out and as you say scratching. They do this for many different reasons but I think that in most cases, as yound children are so egocentric they haven't got the skills to share, take turns, or verbalise their desires so being physical is a natural response to wanting something that a peer may have.

I would ask the staff to tell you about the setting and tinings of these incidents to see if there is a common link or pattern. Is he scratching the same child? Does it look as if he wants a toy? Did another child do something to him/take something from him?

I find having the whole picture gives me a clearer indication of what may be causing certain behaviour and that way the staff can help him overcome this phase. As I say, don't feel embarrassed- at this age, children do not do these things on purpose, rather they are exploring, pushing boundaries or instinctively protecting 'their favorite possessions/toys' as they see themselves as the center of their world.

Did I understand correctly that your child's nursery records incidents that THEY have caused? I have never heard of this. At my ds's nursery the incident book records actions that have been caused to him.

perfectly normal. They don't think of anyone save themselves at this age. It's all experimem=ntation in my view.