When do our children change? Classroom dynamics?

[Loonytoonie]

I ask because DD's are still only 6 and 3. Whenever I've gone in as a parent helper, I've noticed that, bar one or two pupils, everyone is really amiable and 'easy' with one another. No sniping etc.

I've also been working in a different primary school, and it's the same atmosphere in the younger classes, but in the Juniors, there starts The Divide. Mostly girls too, I may add. Groups form, power levels are asserted, quiet one's (especially one or two with ALN's - as in the case of the school where I'm working) are flying solo. Sit alone, work alone.

So I anticipate, with some anxiety, this Divide happening with my DD's. When does it start happening?

I am seeing this just starting to happen with my Y1 DD. Definitely heard the odd "slightly bitchy" comment with one of her friends about another girl. Most of the time they are best of friends though. I guess it just increases gradually until (by Y5 maybe?) it is most noticeable.

Y4 can be a bad year for this sort of thing. Depends on the group though. DD1's year went through a terrible Y4 and 5. DD2's not nearly so bad and DD3 has steered well clear of it all (she's Y5 now). Other two are now at secondary (DD1 almost Y11 now, eek!) and it hasn't been nearly as bad as Y4/5 was!

Year 4 is definitely "the year" closely followed by year 6 ( especially once they know which secondary school they are going to!) And generally, yes, it is the girls who cause the most problems, the boys are just increasingly naughty, some of the girls become right cows!