Classroom Assignment question

[Crush]

I have a child starting kindergarten next month. She's a rather strange breed...completely shy until she knows someone, sensitive to touch, sounds, and loud noises, and can be quite a (how can I say it nicely) BRAT. She klings on to one friend and demands exclusive attention, whines when she doesn't get her way, and overreacts at the tip of a hat.

In her PreK program she learned quickly and already knows all her letters, sounds, and numbers plus simple addition and subtraction. I promise...I didn't teach her this stuff...

I am in a unique position to be able to choose between two teachers for her next year.

One is a retired Lt. Colonel from the Air Force and runs a tight ship in the classroom.

The other is a new teacher who has been teaching in a PreK environment for years.

I initially chose the Lt. Colonel. The Principal at the school called me this afternoon and said that my daughter's former PreK teacher thought it wouldn't be a very good idea to put her into such a strict environment because of her sensitivity.

The Principal has left it up to me.
My DH, also a military officer, believes the Lt. Colonel is the best for the job.
I just don't really know what's best, and since you guys are always full of great advice, I thought I'd see what you have to say.

Paige

 

[isyne4u]

Hi Paige,

As a teacher myself, I go for the ones that have a more structured environment. This is not to say I want a drill instructor that doesn't allow kids to be kids, but ones that set the rules and stick to them AND can do the teaching are the ones you want. If the preK person has good classroom management and doesn't let the kids dictate the rules because she is used to working with the wee ones then I think that would be fine.

Whom ever you choose, I would let them know about her sensitivity to loud noises and sights. Not so they can adjust what they do necessarily, maybe a tad but not much, but so they will know and understand what is going on when your child suddenly erupts into tears and such. You also want the teacher to encourage her to meet new people and to become independent at the same time.

Geez it's late and I'm beginning to sound goofy, maybe in the morning I will make more sense.

tara

 

[RNMOM]

I agree. I have a difficult kid who is now 16. He has ADD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD). He has ALWAYS done better with teachers who were strong personalities and set limits. The weaker, mild, softer ones he chews up and spits out. Really. I have had more than one soft spoken teacher call me in tears.

Don't think he gets away with it at home but something the school often forgets is that they need to apply the structure on their end too. I vote for an experienced teacher.

 

[nonnymouse]

I am a retired kindergarten teacher ... (not that I'm old enough to retire, you understand. It was just that the job was aging me rapidly ... did I write that part or just think it?). I suggest that you talk to both teachers, separately, and ask their opinions. In the school where I taught, parents could also request teachers, and I was approached several times by parents with pseudo-similar situations. Just be very up-front with them (you might want to leave out the BRAT part ) and ask each of their opinions. Don't ask them if they WANT her as a student, but rather how they would handle her needs and quick learning style. You will accomplish two things: A) get their hopefully honest input, and B) give them an insight into her bright and challenging personality.

Whether you realize it or not, she isn't alone in these attributes. Her sensitivity to noise and touch, her need to affirm self worth and friendships by staying "tight", and her over reaction to stimuli are becoming more common in a world where everything is quite rapid, loud, and often frightening. If routine is a big part of her needs, she would do well with structure and a program that moves in a similar manner each day. This promotes security and might ease her ability to adjust. Ask questions and more questions, talk to former students, and also ask each teacher what you can do for the remainder of this summer to help with the transition. Good luck and I hope you find a worthy solution!

 

[MerryPoppins]

A highly structured classroom is usually very good, but some children don't learn best in a "military" environment. I speak from experience. I've been a teacher in early childhood and elementary classrooms. I've known teachers who ran tight, structured enviornments and those that ran a loose ship. Personally, neither is ALWAYS best. I think a lot depends on the child.

I'd listen to the advice of her former teacher. She knows her learning style best and I'm sure is thinking of what would be best for your DD. Since last year was a success, I would guess that her teacher knew what worked last year.

I also have 2 children who are sensitive to sound and touch. They both strongly dislike loud teachers and those with highly structured classrooms. DS had one in 3rd grade and informed us part-way through the year that he intended to drop out of school. He just couldn't take her teaching style and her loud voice. He felt like she was always angry. He also said she never smiled. He was the kind of child that needed smiles and softness on top of the structure.

And don't get me wrong, he was a straight A student at the time so he wasn't a troublemaker and he wasn't wanting special treatment. Loud sounds seriously bothered him. I know kids need to learn to deal with all kinds of teachers, but early elementary might not be the best time. DS finished that year, by the way, but now I wish I had asked to change his classroom.

We later found out that their sensitivity was due to Sensory Integration Disorder. Basicly that means that when they recieve too much sensory information, their brain overloads and doesn't process information correctly. Might be something you would want to check into. I'm not saying that all kids who are react to sensory information have a sensory disorder, but it might be worth checking into. I wish someone had told me earlier. My kids don't have strong cases and they compensated well for years without treatment. But their lives have sure been easier now that they have learned some coping strategies.

If you are interested let me know and I'll point you toward a checklist. Hope whatever decision you make that it will be a productive year for your DD.

 

[cc1954]

You could have been describing my 9 year old! I want to share that we were active duty E8 enlisted when my DH was assigned to the Pentagon; we lived on base at Bolling (bottom left of the Potomac in Washington DC) where they had the ONLY air force run Kindergarten.

Services/MWR runs a K program there because the public schools are so bad - EVERYBODY generally ends up home schooling - but that is another subject entirely!

Anyway - the K program a was VERY structured, but creative, and I was totally awed by what they accomlished!!

Two things I want to say - I am TOTALLY easy to give in to his demands sometimes - but I always try to make sure he is always stretching himself and learning. I ended up being a soccer coach, and a t ball coach so that he would have a team to play on. Now he is in Tae Quon Do, and he is self motivated to work hard - but the EXPOSURE to many things is what helps!

Bottom line - he ended up doing better with MORE STRUCTURE - and (I would almost bet your daughter will do the same if directed) he is now in Gifted classed, with straight A's plus, and has been tested with a high IQ. I have to say, of the 23 kids in his current program, they all have high energy, DEFINITE high maintenance behaviors, and about half are on ritalin, or other drugs for ADD or ADHD. I personaly think it is just cause their little brains are just going so fast that they need definite BOUNDRIES - so you see where I am going? go with the light bird, and I would bet your results would be better. (PS - we are now retired and living in FL after dual AD careers, 26 year retirement)