Getting a child to obey the teacher?

Question

My oldest son just started kindergarten last week. The teacher has a system where the child gets a card pulled each time they misbehave (after a warning). Two cards pulled means a note comes home from the teacher and three cards pulled means a call from the teacher. My son has already had one card pulled two days in a row and today was two cards pulled. How do I make him understand that he needs to obey the teacher the first time and just make better choices in general? We use the "nose in the corner" technique at home and that works well for us.

Is he just settling in to school? Did your children have an adjustment period when they first started school? Open House is next week, should I wait to talk with the teacher then or go ahead and call her now to chat?

I'm looking for answers from parents with school aged children that have already gone through this. Thanks!

Answer 1

Kids love incentives so I think that if you give them some kind of reward for being good but not to drastic then maybe he will begin to be good naturally. Maybe keep in touch with the teach to see how he does each day.

Answer 2

it is very exciting and new at school. As soon as there have been a couple of notes sent home he will settle down. He is still learning the ropes. It is all new and talk with the teacher next week and see what other consequences she puts in place. It should not just be a note home to be dealt with at home. She needs immediate consequences  if they do not listen to the warning. Waiting for a parent to do it is lazy teaching. By then the child has forgotten why he is being punished.  

Answer 3

Teach a child to obey ALL adults then he/she will obey their teacher!

Answer 4

All children need to settle in. Every year after summer break. Every year after Easter break. Everytime a child goes into school after a break, it takes settling in. Same with us after a summer off or a week of holidays. It will come. I would not worry.

Answer 5

I would give him some more time. It has only been a week. I am an EA and trust me there are kids even on the last day that get their card pulled LOL These are the ones who's parents should be worried. For now just wait it out, if it is still going on in a month or so I would give him punishment at home as well. I would also ask the teacher what it is he is doing. Also did he have preschool? It really helps them learn how  to behave at school. If he did not have preschool then you have to allow a little more adjustment time.