Child Inattention?

Question

My partners child (from a previous relationship) is 5.5yrs old - and as very little attention span. She is waaay behind the other kids in her class and the teacher reports to her mother that she is often seen 'shaking', as if being mildly electorcuted (sic?) often.

When she was 2 yrs old she was first noticed doing this 'shaking' by her parents who took her for neuro type tests - which showed no problems. I've never seen her do this shaking in the 13 mths I've known her for.

Other than the shaking she can't yet write her name or read basic words, she is quite forgetful and at most times is an attention seeker - but once the school homework books come out she goes all quiet and almost introverted. It doesn't help that her mother is quite similar (not meaning to sound horrible) but you know how the child resembles one parent more than the other and to put in perspective a possible resolution eg; this could just be genetic?

Answer 1

Try putting extra time into helping her study and don't allow her to do things she enjoys (like playing) until her school work is done. If this does not work after the first few times you may want to try spanking her.

A very sound spanking applied after it is first made very clear why it is being given to her and how she can avoid it in the future should shape her right up.  If she does it again give her another spanking.  Make sure she understands why before and after you spank her and check with her parent first that it is all right for you to use this form of discipline.

Answer 2

aww the poor girl. It seems that she's discouraged by the expectations she can't fulfil at the moment. She probably feels quite frustrated if she can't cope with the homework, so she would be sad about this. Maybe you should see a specialist who can assess her abilities, so that she can go to a school where she's happy.

Answer 3

hmm, well it does sound horrible to talk of the childs mother that way especially since you're more than likely  not in a position to be making a diagnosis like that concering the mother, i hope that you dont say things like that in front of the little girl about her problems or about her mother, there are great step parents out there they do exist, but more often than not no one will love your child as their own parents would, as far as the shaking goes if you are truly concerned i would talk the father into tryin to get a 2nd opinion since you are his "partner" now, or better yet leave it to him and the childs mother to deal with. as far as her learning pace is concerned , being the mother of 3 myself, it isnt unusual for a 5 yr olds to not know how to read and spell ect. at that age if they havent been properly prepared. my children all went to preschool before kindergarten so they would be better prepared, has she even been to preschool? children who dont get to go to preschool tend to be a bit slower then the children that have,unless they have been worked with at home. preschool is very important, and if she has been then she should be evaluated and be worked with every day and night and during summer break, it does sound like shes going through alot! too much for a 5 yr old to deal with indeed, maybe she is being an attention seeker because she "feels" neglected?

Answer 4

labeling her is a good start... way to go step-mom!!

Answer 5

Considering you start kindergarten at 5 and often kids cant write their names or read - so this might not be as significant of  a problem as it seems.  Kids develop at different paces, i would just ensure that she reads every night -very simple picuture books so she wont get frustrated, help her with pencil grip etc and see if the school provides additional guidance for kids who arent learning at a rapid pace.  The shacking actually sounds like a nervous tick...she has been through a divorce, her dad is dating/or remarried (not sure sorry) so this is ALOT for a small child to deal with...she may need counseling at some point, or just time to work through things.  Be as supportive and positive as you can for her. SHe is still so very young.