Pet Peeve

I may step on some toes this morning, so go find your steel-toed shoes.

Each year I have at least four students who are constant, daily, habitual, “that’s just who I am, so get over it” behavior problems. It’s just the law of averages.

I deal with behavior problems. All of us in education deal with behavior problems.

What I sometimes find challenging is the reaction of parents to their child’s behavior problems.  

I report behavior problems to parents. I expect them to talk to their child about behaving appropriately in school. However, in most instances I do NOT expect them to be able to solve the problem. The child has to solve the problem. That being said, my least favorite parental response to a behavior problem is,

“He/she doesn’t do that at home!”

Well, of course he doesn’t! And I mean that sincerely. School is a different environment with different expectations.

At home your child probably doesn’t have an audience of peers quite willing to participate in misbehavior, applaud it, or laugh at it!

At home your child probably isn’t expected to listen intently, follow directions, and complete a task.

At home your child probably isn’t competing for attention with fifteen to twenty other children.

At home your child probably isn’t expected to be quiet and stay in one place for ten minutes.

At home your child probably isn’t expected to keep his hands off other children.

At home your child may be allowed to wash his hands three times and use extra soap and wipe off all the counters.

At home your child may be allowed to blow food across the table and put tortillas on his head and eat with his fingers.

At home your child may be allowed to run across the room and sit on the tables and color on the floor.

At home your child may be allowed to crawl under the bathroom sink.

At home your child may be allowed to yell out anything that occurs to him at any time of the day.

But in school things must be a little different. Some behaviors have to be modified. Other behaviors must be saved for home.

Most children figure that out for themselves.

 

Comments

[commonweeder]

I know I am a cranky old granny, but I do believe that parents, and grannies, can point out to children when they are in public that a slightly different set of rules apply. And hope that carries over to school behavior. School is a public place.

[Classof65]

Now I remember why I never became a teacher -- you have my sincerest sympathy.

[Megan]

I teach preschool so all of that applies to my experiences! Let's add that we cannot just scream at the top of our lungs and throw a fit to get what we want. Because at school, you are not the baby of the family and will be catered to.

I swear I'm trying to get them prepared BEFORE they get into kindergarten . . . I promise!