My 4 year old started school reception In September and is settling well. I’m really happy with the teaching and what he is learning in class, my problem is with some of the little boys he seems drawn to.
My one issue is that He seems to go along with obnoxious, rude little boys and is picking up language and behaviours which are unacceptable in my home. For example there is one little boy who he has taken to whose mother seems to have no grip over him or his siblings. I’ve caught the little boy pointing and laughing at other children, pointing this out to my son, and my son then copying. It’s small things like touching another child’s bag without permission (child doesn’t speak good English and doesn’t like people touching his things) or mimicking the way they may speak…. The little boy is also prone to roughhousing which isn’t encouraged in our household.
They seem to have created a little group and find happiness at the expense of mocking others… at 4/5 years old it’s shocking to me how exposed to words and the world some of them are! We’re in London but even so I am surprised by how unkind they can be (based on what I’ve seen/heard and stories my son tells me about this day)
If I see something I don’t like I’ll immediately pull my son up about it even if the other child/Rens parents are within earshot. Just because they won’t correct their child, doesn’t mean I’ll follow suit!
Maybe I’m being too precious, but I can see how this behaviour could develop into what might be seen as bullying and I don’t want my son involved in it. I was bullied as a child and I know how easy it is for kids to fall into a group mentality if not challenged.
Am I being too precious? If not, what can I do to discourage this behaviour and/or encourage him to build relationships with others in his class instead of these boys?