Discipline Policies at Preschool
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Discipline Policies at Preschool
Sept 2009
I would appreciate some input on this: my son goes to what seems
to be a great preschool, but I recently saw through the window
that the teacher grabbed his arm during some circle dance they
were doing. He is very energetic and was running around outside
of the circle. The teacher then grabbed him by the upper arm and
quickly pulled him back into the circle dance. It looked like
she was grabbing him a little to forcefully, but then again he
is very quick...I am not sure what to make of this. I know my
son is very energtic, he was not crying or anything, but just
looking at it, it seemed a little harsh. My husband thinks it's
better for him to learn to listen to the teacher and stay with
the group so that he will be ready for kindergarden. I would
hate to switch preschools over this, because of all the friends
he has made. I will definitely talk to the teacher, to see what
she has to say. Any thoughts?
Concerned
I think your husband is right. Grabbing your son so he would
stop running around and come back in the circle with the rest
of the kids was appropriate so that he remains with the group
(safety) and so that he learns that he must listen to teachers,
both for his own development and so he doesn't interfere with
what the other kids are doing. This is your son's opportunity
to develop some self-control and discipline.
It's a good thing.
Not knowing your kid or the situation exactly, but having been a
preschool teacher and having observed lots of ''energetic'' kids at
my daughter's preschool (and other venues where the preschoolers
go), I'd bet your son is just fine and he just needs to learn to
follow rules. The teacher probably had to react quickly so as
not to have chaos in the whole group. Even by your own admission
he wasn't doing what he was supposed to be doing. Again, I
didn't observe it, and I'm not saying it's impossible to have a
teacher who is too rough, but my experience and observations have
been that the ''energetic'' kids sometimes need more direct
intervention and have a tendency to disrupt the entire group.
Sounds like your son didn't even notice what you are terming
''harsh,'' and it sounds like your husband is conscious that your
son may need a little more discipline in order to survive in
kindergarten and beyond. Sounds like you'd be doing him a
disservice by switching preschools (and who knows, if he's that
''energetic'' he could encounter teachers who really aren't willing
to deal with him.)
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