Any advice - son is scared of his teacher?? any teachers out there??

[spudpudding]

Yr 2 son is frightened of his teacher, I think that this is affecting him. He has become bit withdrawn and reluctant to talk about it says that she is angry and shouts alot and says things like dont be such a baby and fusspot (not to him - otherwise would have been in to school) feel a bit weird going in to see the head about this - any advice?? Other parents have made similar comments but do I make this into something.

Also have star of the week at his school and previous years he has had this but not in this class, this is starting to bother me!!

A problem child from another class has now been put into her class and children have been told that its cause she is naughty and this teacher is stricter. Worried this will unsettle him even more! am I overreacting??

I would go in and have a chat with the teacher - is this a recent thing, starting this term, or has it been going on since September? You could start "I am becoming concerned that DS seems to be increasingly withdrawn at home. Could you tell me how he is in the classroom?" and build a conversation from there.

I would ignore the Star of the Week thing - we're only half way throuhg the year yet so your DS may yet get it.

I'd be more annoyed about "A problem child from another class has now been put into her class and children have been told that its cause she is naughty and this teacher is stricter" - who the hell tells Yr 2 children that? Hey, Teacher x in Yr 2 is a soft touch, problem child will be mean to you...." Not helpful.

You have 2 choices, speak to the teacher directly if you feel they are approachable, if not have a word with the head.

Thanks for that, he has not been keen since september and I also find her unapproachable and she takes offence very easily. It sounds daft but worried that it may make things worse for my son. Am also worried about this problem child, so think I'll make an appointment to go and see the head.

Thanks for your advice ;-)

I thi k you would take all reports about so called problem child with a massive pinch of salt. Head will not discuss tis with you and you are actually repeating your ds impressions and opinions about this. Being worried that this might have an effect in him is not a good enough reason to complain.

Ds has not been star of the week. There is plenty of time for this. If you complain about this and he gets it in the next few weeks will this be because he has deserved it or because teacher wants you to be happy?

Ds is scared of teacher. Is he scared in that he isn't getting on well with his work and is unhappy? If so go and talk to her and tell teacher he is nervous about approaching her so she can reassure him. Teacher may well be strict but that can be a good thing because he will then have the structure and calm that he needs to learn. If classroom was disruptive then I would be more concerned tbh.

Thanks that really helps, his work is OK I think - but he is really nervous around her and sort of clams up, not sure this is the best environment for a 6 year old to learn. I think that I will just keep an eye on things. He was really happy last year and think that his teacher was more happy / smiley and he is normally a happy kid so probably a better fit. Thanks guys.

The trouble is some teachers are a bit scary. And for children who are well behaved and do their work, it can be just as upsetting if a teacher shouts all the time as it can be for the badly behaved. I am not sure there is not much you can do about it. I bet there are lots of children in your DS's class who tell their mums much the same thing and those mums would also rather their DCs were in somebody elses class. If she has been teaching for quite some time, then that is how she is - I doubt if a few words from you, or even from the head, will change her. If you would really like your DS to go into another class, you can always approach the head to tell them how unhappy your DS seems to be, and it may be helpful just to have a chat with them in order to get another perspective on things.

However, I would not refer to the other child and neither would I mention the 'star of the week' thing.