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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Behaviour in class

9 replies

Criteria16 · 24/09/2025 09:56

DS in in Y2 and last week his new teacher called to discuss his behaviour in class. He gets distracted, doesn't listen and is a little disrupting. Nothing over the top, not violent, not using bad language or shouting, not disrespectful, nothing crazy, but while he's curious and participative in many activities, he's also sometimes not engaged when it comes to do things he doesn't like to do and he does silly things like talking to friends/make noises/scribbling instead.

Now...what do I do?
For context, this is a conversation we had at nursery, pre-school, Reception, Y1 and most of his clubs at the beginning of every new year/club, without fail. Later during the year, those teachers always said all is fine and he adjusted. End of year reports all good every year, and he ends up following instructions at his clubs and making progress.
When he was little the action we took were to be consistent in letting him know why his behaviour was not ok, ask/remind him to control it, be specific in what is not ok, apply consequences but also make sure he had enough sleep, not too much sugar, enough exercise. There are no issues at home, he's very much loved and has lots of friends.
Is he doing the same at home? Yes. He has a strong personality, pushes boundaries a lot, he's very independent and can be intense. He's also clever, quick, sweet and a bundle of energy.

How do I tackle this? When can I do at home differently and what can I suggest the teacher to do in class?

OP posts:
myfourbubbas1 · 24/09/2025 14:20

All of this screams ADHD to me and I'm very suprised that school hasn't said anything to you.
I have 4 neurodivergent children so have experience of this!
The whole not listening, only doing things he's interested in, making noises, chatting being disruptive, doodling along with your description of him being a bundle of energy.
Do look into ADHD and see what you think, this could very much be something that he's unable to control. Get him assessed if you think it applies and ensure that school are supporting his needs.

Criteria16 · 24/09/2025 14:50

Thanks - we briefly looked into it as we always suspected that in a way. But all of this so far hasn't been on a scale large enough for seeking a diagnosis. No one of the tens and tens of teachers and coaches he's met so far in school or clubs has ever suggested that.

Out of curiosity, what type of support would be put in place if there is an official diagnosis vs any other measures the school could adopt to help him? Bearing in mind he's not disruptive to the point of getting the class unable to listen or making anyone upset, and he's doing well academically. I need to understand this better!

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Tiredreal · 24/09/2025 14:50

It sounds like this is something that is at the start of the school year where perhaps he has forgotten expectations over the summer but then once you do pay the attention to his behaviour it calms for the rest of the year.
an d whole its a red flag that all places are raising issues so adhd is something to bear in mind But i would say my dd with adhd the difference is behaviour charts etc do not work at all in fact can make her behaviour worse. No matter the punishment etc her behaviour never improved through a year. Overall it did improve woth time though remained the 2/3 her age etc.
Have a look at the dsm for adhd. And the connors questionnaire etc.
Also directly ask the teacher if they think it is adhd.

of you sit down to listen to him read does he do so for say 15m ins without losts of distraction?

Criteria16 · 24/09/2025 14:55

Yes, he can read for 15 minutes without distractions, he loves reading and he loves math. He doesn't like to write and find any excuses for not doing it!
And yes, I think there might be an element of ADHD as I can tell he can't control certain behaviour. But at the same time...he also can. Overtime he's getting better and better.
For instance there was limited progression in some sports he's been going since he was 3 or 4, as he didn't listen to the instructions and only wanted to have fun his way (he's a VERY confident child). But now he's 6 he's just fine, he listen to the coaches and improves regularly, no silliness or distractions anymore.

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JustMarriedBecca · 24/09/2025 21:47

I would discuss with school and get on the waiting list. It can be 2 years plus depending on where you live.

These things tend to become more obvious as they get up the school.

The fact the teacher picked up the phone so early in the year AND this isn't the first time made me think it was something a bit more serious than a little bit of a restart of expectations

arcticpandas · 24/09/2025 21:52

It's probably just maturity.. I was the same until around 7 years old. But by all means put him on a waiting list so that he can be seen (2 years almost everywhere) when he's 8 if he still got problems. Most likely he will have matured..

MinnieMou5e · 24/09/2025 22:13

Sounds like ADHD to me too.

Ask the school for support, the new teacher this year could prove really helpful with her views of how he is as she’s not worked with him daily like now previously (I presume?)

Criteria16 · 25/09/2025 13:30

Thanks all for the suggestions.
I will look into the ADHD assessment route, and try to understand the benefits of having a formal assessment vs just putting in place measures to help him anyway. Basically, what changes once you get a diagnosis?

In the meantime I had a longer conversation with the teacher and also other parents. Several parents in the class have been called to have a very similar chat and see if we can all work together to bring the class back to listen. Yes, it's mostly boys. Yes, it's mostly silliness.

On the bright side, DS has been described as brilliant in the way he's learning, interacting around subjects, writing, math etc and no issues with misbehaviour when he's doing things. But playtime sees a number of children releasing a lot of energy in a way that is difficult to control, and he's one of them. As shared, he's also got a big personality. We will try to work together on reminding him what good looks like!

OP posts:
Mamaspice89 · 25/09/2025 20:13

Could have written the exact same post for my son.

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