Can you tell what they'll be like in the future?

[MrsSnape]

This is more for people with older kids/teens or teachers...

If a child is silly, misbehaves and generally a pain at school during his or her primary years, does it tend to continue as the child grows older?

My DS has been every teachers worst nightmare since he started reception, he's now 7 and in year two and rather than calming down, he seems to be getting worse and more daring. He is and always has been the class clown, he loves to be laughed at.

He's no angel at home or elswhere either.

People used to tell me he'll grow out of it but they no longer say this to me, instead they say "wait while he's a teen..." and "just think, if he's like this now, what's he going to be like at 14?"

So some of you will have experience of this...does the trend continue through the years or do some kids completely change?

I think kids can grow out of it, when the penny finally drops that they need to knuckle down and get on with some work. Unfortunately, for a lot of kids, this realisation doesn't sink in until it's too late.

I would suggest that your DS needs some kind of intervention to nip his behaviour in the bud. Is it an option for you to go into the classroom?

It is wonderful that you are taking his behaviour seriously and looking to the future. If only other parents did this.

Hi, is he young for his school year. I think it can be very difficult for the younger ones.There can be a whole years difference with some of the kids, and being a boy,with these little girls who just sit down and studiously colour or whatever. Does he enjoy sports? A friend of mine had similar probs she found talking to his headmistress very helpful, guidance and reassurance. The class teacher had also labelled him as a disruptive boy, and expected no more from him. He sounds like a lovely spirited boy who needs praise for what he is good at. I'm sure as the last person said he will be fine as long as he never feels you have labelled him too. He gets it from one of you two! It just needs to be guided in the right direction. well done for standing up for him.

mrsSnape, has my ds1 moved in with you. I am besides myself with the very same thing.

I am trying to take a firm stance but he can make a normal situation into a silly one, this then starts ds2 and dd who are both younger but both more sensible than him.

Every parents evening I get, very bright but not working to his ability. So much so I have to go in to see the head after Easter break.

Have you got any tips? (hopeful)

My brother was like this.... mostly as he wasn't being stretched then he got bored - then got behind. He is very highly-strung as well which hasn't generally helped since situations he shold have laughed at, he's fretted over. He's just completed his MA now though and is training to be a London Walks guide on top of his normal day-job.

Unfortunately he didn't settle down to anything until he was 21. Hopefully your dc won't take anywhere near as long. I think teachers these days are more sympathetic to 'difficult' children's needs as my db was termed .