Is it OK for teachers to shout at children

[chocolateface]

My DS1 (in y3) is very reluctant to go to school,and on one occation we just couldnt't physically get him in - he seems terrified. The school have wanted to move him up a maths class, but he is scared of the teacher of that class(he says she shouts a lot), so we've kept him down. Today when I popped into school during play time a teacher was shouting at a couple of pupils in what I considered a very harsh/sharp way.( for comming back inside when she had already told the to go out) This is the kind of thing that would really upset DS1. Does much shouting, by teachers, go on in schools these days? I won't pretend I never shout at my children, and I realise children in schools need discipline, I just feel rather unsettled by what I whitnessed. Should I mention it to the head?

I think a bit of shouting is probably part of the job but I guess you have to consider what is excessive - I think if the teacher's behaviour id putting your child off moving up a set and potentially impacting on his education then it may be worth having a chat with his class teacher and if there's no joy there, the head. The teacher may be having trouble disciplining the children and I'd think it's important for senior staff to be aware of the problem so they can deal with it.

Sounds like your kids and mine go to the same school....

My DD's yr 4 teacher was always shouting. For the first few weeks of term, DD was coming out with a headache. She's just one of those teachers. I haven't heard much about her shouting nowadays (DD is in yr 6 now) so perhaps she was told. I agree, if you feel it's unacceptable, speak to the Head or Deputy Head.

I've never come across a primary teacher who has never shouted.
The problem with shouting is that if you do it regularly/frequently then it's just going to wash over them and will not be effective.

Personally, I actually find whispering or 'the look' to be much more effective on a regular basis. Then, when I do shout, they listen.

I have to say, though, that in the circumstances you witnessed, I would shout(or at least use a loud, firm voice) 9 times out of 10!

It may well be that the teacher your DS is worried about shouts a lot. Perhaps she has a very draining class. However, in my experience, children often use excuses such as that when something else is worrying them. Talk to him to see if there's possibly another reason. Perhaps he doesn't want to be separated from his friends for instance.

The trouble is, I'm not sure if it is unacceptable or not. I think other people would find it perfectly acceptable, and if it's the norm in schools, I feel I shouldn't be fussing. On the other hand I don't want to be sending DS1 into an envoirnment where he doesn't feel comfortable.

If you're asking if it's ever acceptable for a teacher to shout then yes, of course it is.

It is not acceptable for this shouting to be either constant or aggressive. Nor is it acceptable to shout in a child's face.

If you're really worried then why not ask to help in school one day.

Good advice homemama. I don't think the children who were shouted at were at all bothered. I just know it would make my son feel uncomfortable. Does he just need to toughen up?

I think when the viewpoint swings to primary kids being 'tough' or resilient enough we have missed the point of child development entirely. A teacher should be able to communicate with the class in a clear way without raising his voice, and a teacher, if they are worth their salt should know when a child's self-esteem is being impacted by their actions. Any school that questions the toughness of a primary school child is substandard. Primary is about exploration, fun, discovery and joy, the problem is when teachers feel the pressure of getting kids up to standard pre/post-pandemic for example, the pressure to perform is great and the ethos in a school can be tough leading to the teacher using poor standards. If your child is at the stage where he/she doesn't want to go to school, go and see the teacher involved without any fear whatsoever, challenge their approach and note what they say. If the situation continues, go and see the Head, and suggest that the teacher and not your child requires extra support to teach children in a way where they are relaxed and ready to learn. Hope this helps everyone

It depends on the shouting - aggressive then absolutely not acceptable. Raise voice to get yourselve heard above hubbub then possibly yes. My children have had some 'shouty' teachers and their shouting quickly becomes pointless as the kids just switch off to it after a while and it just adds to the noise.

Tibtom, well put!