My dd has told me she's a bit worried about a boy in her class - should I approach his parent or the teacher?

[peggotty]

Dd is 7 in year 2. There's a boy in her class who I know has struggled a bit socially ever since reception. Dd has always played with him on and off throughout the time they've been at school. Today she said she felt sad that she couldn't play with him because other boys 'kept chasing him and wouldn't leave him alone'. I asked if she thought he was enjoying this type of play and she said she wasn't sure and that sometimes he seemed to be but not always. She's mentioned before about rough play this boy has been on the receiving end of and that she thought he'd been upset about it.

I'm not sure what to do, it sounds a bit to me like he's being ganged up on in the playground a bit as dd says a lot of boys are doing it and 'won't leave him alone'. Or could it just be dd being sensitive (which she is, and hates rough play of any sort)? Should I mention it to his dad or go to the teacher?

Teacher.

Ok teacher it is. Do you think it does warrant me approaching her about it?

Teacher.
And yes.

Teacher.
And yes, I think it does. You pass it on and s/he can assess what to do based on what has been noticed in school.

Teacher, and yes definitely worth letting her know.

Tell the teacher.

Teacher. Defo. Do mention it. No one else might have bothered.

Who supervises the playground at lunch time?

I would talk to the teacher. The teacher can pass on your concerns to whoever is in charge of the lunch time staff, and they can keep an eye out.

I wouldn't go directly to the parents. You might stir something up that will blow out of all proportion, and seeing as your DD isn't sure whether or not he is enjoying it, it might become a much bigger issue than it really is.

Teacher. I did this a year ago. Good results followed (the other boys had been successfully blaming the victim until that point).

In fact, I think that reporting that someone else's child is being bullied is much more effective than saying your own child is being bullied - your evidence is considered more objective if it's someone else's child!

Teacher. And definitely. And re-inforce with your DD that she did the right thing telling you - well done her.

Yes, quick word with the teacher.

Agree with everyone else, but just wanted to say how nice your daughter sounds!

Hope you're very proud of your daughter.

Your daughter sounds adorable and kind and brave. Tell her so!

Teacher, and definitely.

Thank you all, i have spoken to the teacher today and she is going to ask the playground supervisors to keep an eye on it. I hadn't thought about telling dd she's done the right thing, but you're absolutely right, I should and I will!

Make sure you follow this up. IME the playground staff are just mums of kids in school and generally prefer to chat than supervise and/or suffer playgrounmd blindness.