7 year old boy's school trouble?

Question

My son has just turned 7 the first week of second grade. He is an only child and is CONSTANTLY coming home with "sad faces" from his second grade teacher. When I ask the teacher what he did today, the answer is always "bad choices" or talking after being warned to be quiet. The teacher says my son is doing his classwork, but proceeds to cause disruptions and talk to others when he is done. Each day that he's come home with a sad face he is grounded from TV, video games and some of his favorite toys. He gets off the bus crying that he had a bad day. The next morning he promises his dad and I that today will be a better day and then gets off the bus crying again. I'm wondering if this is just something that will get better with maturity...that he'll gain some self control. Punishing him is obviously not solving the problem, and I feel badly that he is punished every day. Further, I'm not sure if I should always side with the teacher as I have been doing...perhaps this teacher has unrealistic expectations for seven year old boys. His sad face means having to speak to the child more than twice for some negative behavior. I asked the teacher to give him more work. Any other suggestions? I'm sure there are some super moms out there who've already crossed this bridge.

Answer 1

When my son was in Kind. if they were good for the day they would come home with a stamp on there hands and if they were bad then they would have no stamp on there hand.  My son had a no stamp for a little while and when I asked him why he would tell me we would talk about and he would promise that he would be good the next day also but the samme thing would happen so what we did was we made a chart at home and for everyday that he came with a stamp on his hand we would give him a smiley face on his chart for that day at the end of the week if he had 5 smiley faces at home we would take him to the store and he would get to pick out a toy we of course set a dollar amout on it so it did not get to crazy but he really wanted that toy at the end of the week so he tried real hard and he did maybe something like this could work for your son.  Good luck!  I am sure it will get better

Answer 2

I too have the same problem with my third grader. He has not been able to play video games for 2 weeks now. It's very disappointing when your kid comes home with a sad face. You feel terrible taking their things but I believe its necessary. Children need to know consequences and what is expected of them in evey situation of life.In the beginning of every school year my son hates his teacher, "she's mean", but after a month or two when the groove gets going things work out. I've learned that communication with teacher is a great tool. Most teachers want all star students and will work with a parent and child. Your doing the right thing. Stick to it. Don't give in. He'll get happy faces soon and you can go get an ice cream cone.

Perhaps a parent teaher conference so you can get the feel of this teacher. My son is also a motormouth, class clown, dramatic to the extreme. We have to remember our children behave differently when we are not there. How does your son act at home? Does he listen right away? Does he push the limit sometimes? Does he annoy you at times? Find out what's with the teach. Then I would reward him for good behavior at home if her expectations are too high. But constantly remind him about behavior in school. We can only expect our kids to try and do their best. Your son is probably just like mine. He's a great kid, polite, smart, funny, and somewhat annoying. Good luck, just remember to take deep breaths and remind your son how much you love him and want him to do well,

Answer 3

I would take those sad faces and shove them were the sun don't shine.I also would take the smiley ones and do the same. Getting any thing for doing what your supposed to do is wrong. Average students tend to drop by the waste side.I would sit in one of his classes, all day if necessary, and see what goes on.Sounds to me as if he has a teacher that yells and does not know how to interact with the students.If this keeps up your child will end up hating school and getting low grades because he will hate to ask the teacher any thing for fear of being insulted or scolded.Your child may be above average and gets his work done fast then tends to get bored. Its up to the teacher to focus his attention, not just yell.

Answer 4

lol...and  i'm in the middle of that bridge. Last year, my son was in kindergarten, and sad faces reports every day, even to the point that the principal called me and has asked me to keep him home instead of a suspension. My son would be violent towards classmates.

I know what my son is capable of, but it still doesn't allow another child to tease him to the point that he has to hit back. And of course, he would get caught hitting.

This year, he's in Grade 1 and I know, it will be the same, cross my fingers, I hope he got over that stage.

My son is also the class clown and the problem is: he's bored.

Gave him an alarm clock to disassemble and he'll do it, but gave him school work, he's bored.

The school also wants me to put him on medication because of his energy and I won't. He does not have ADHD, he's a 6 year-old boy who likes to play and full of energy.

Answer 5

Did he have problems in 1st or kindergarten?  If not, it could be a conflict with the teacher.  It is only the 1st week, she needs to ease up off him otherwise he will get turned off of school.  

But since she is already punishing him by giving him a 'sad' face which is obviously distressing, I am wondering if being punished at home is too much.  He may feel that no one understands him and he has no allies.  I would proably ask the teacher for a conference and even ask to observe the class - most schools accomodate this.  Observe how the teacher is and how your son reacts.  

  If he finishes his work early, he should not be 'punished'  (i'm sure that is how he sees it) with more work.  Perhaps tell him what he is ALLOWED to do instead of talking to another child.  Maybe he can read or color or draw.   I'm sure he is not the first kid in her classroom to be ahead of the class and need a little direction on what to do with the free time.