does this seem like an appropriate punishment for kindergarteners?

[Sadie22]

I remember my entire class being disciplined except for me and one other girl. The two of us had delivered the attendance sheet to the principal's office, and while we were out the class did something that warranted discipline. So we were the only ones that didn't serve the punishment. This was in the Dark Ages, so they probably lost recess time.

I think extra activity is great. Some kids do not have enough opportunity to run and play or even walk. Some are driven everywhere and go straight home to TV and video games.

 

[Jedana]

OT: but I went to 16 years of Catholic school and never saw any nuns or teachers do this, I am sure it happened but I never witnessed it and I guess discipline like that stopped by the time I got there, and I went to 3 different Catholic grade schools due to moving.

Now DH who went to public school was forced to be a righty and kids were paddled.

I always find it interesting that people like to point out the nuns when this was done in other school settings as well.


Ok back on topic....

My dad was a lefty when he started school. The nun tied his left hand to the desk and forced him to use his right. He had scars where the rope would rub against his skin. This was back in the early 40's.

 

[Jedana]

DS's school allows walking the fence at recess as punishment. They go in 1 minute increments, up to 10 minutes. If a student earns more than 10 minutes, they go to the guidance counselor. If they are doing something really bad (like fighting), the vice principal is called in, and then the parents get a call.

DS (in 3rd grade) earned 10 minutes one day. I asked him what he was doing that earned him 10 minutes. He told me he had a really important story to tell his neighbor and the teacher kept stopping him from talking. Outside, I was , but inside I a little bit. We had a talk about talking when he was allowed to, and as he didn't want to lose that much time in recess again, he learned to stop talking in class when he wasn't supposed to.

Now, he gets to start his recess by walking the fence, because the 4th graders are still at recess when his class comes out, and there is a 5 minute overlap. He says it's ok, they are just getting warmed up for the massive run to the basketball or 4 square courts.

I'd rather have him out walking than sitting at a desk. I think children--and especially boys---need to have that physical outlet frequently throughout the day. Sometimes, I wish the school days were like they were when I was a kid---15 minutes recess in the morning and again the afternoon, and 30 minutes for lunch/playtime. We ran ourselves silly, and came back in, ready to learn.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

Yes, totally appropriate.

This is the method our ENTIRE school district uses.

The kids still get exercise, the kids still get up and move around, the kids have to walk around the perimeter of the play ground, for the lap. For *most Kinder playgrounds in our area, it's close to the 1/12th of a mile range. Heck the run around loads more than that, when they are playing on the equip.

Gives the kids a moment to think about what they did, and that they are missing out on recess.

All 3 of my kids have had to do laps. I see nothing wrong with it.

Yes, there are limits as to how many the kids can do, and no they can't force the kid to walk them if the kids is refusing, they have alt plans when the kids refuses, and no they can't force the kids to walk them on the weather index days either.

 

[shortbun]

I'd rather it be exersize than sitting in silence in the lunch room. Kids need to move and this teacher knows that. I'd say it's a good way to quiet most of them. Some of them might even like it.

 

[Coonhound]

it's getting to the point where teachers are not allowed to do ANYTHING when kids misbehave, because no matter what they do, it's "singling a child out" or it's "shaming a child" or it's teaching them to have "negative associations"....everyone is so concerned with "it will make the children FEEL bad..." Well guess what, when children choose to act in a way that is disobedient or disrespectful, they are SUPPOSED to feel bad! THAT is how they learn that the behavior was not acceptable! It's really getting ridiculous. Parents are more concerned with their child's feelings and self esteem than they are concerned that their child grows up knowing appropriate behavior and respect for others.

 

[NewRVLady]

I have NOT read entire thread

Questions_

-Is this for THIS YEAR??? School her has only been in session for 2 weeks...if the class is THAT OUT OF CONTROL ALREADY something is seriously wrong



-Here, in the South, it is SERIOUSLY hot and I would be LIVID

- So the rest of the school teachers SEE THIS and make no comment?

-My kids were quiet and shy in those first weeks of K-I cant imagine a rowdy KINDRGARTEN class!!!!

 

[DopeyDame]

How long have the kids been in school where you love? My kids just started last week, so yeah, I'd be upset if 3 of the first 5 days of school didn't include free playtime for 5 year olds. I'm not inherently opposed to walking as a punishment but it just seems like a bad start to the school year for kids who literally may not have ever been in a classroom before.
Like many others have said, though, 5 year olds aren't the best at relaying what happened accurately.

 

[Annadesu]

I don't think walking IS a punishment... It's good for them to walk, and it's not like there's anyone behind them with a megaphone or whip. I doubt walking around the field once takes away their entire recess, either.

When I was in that grade, kids were punished by being made to sit in the corner during snack time, and watch as everyone else ate.

 

[kamik86]

I agree with some of the other posters that depending on how long school has been in session (where I live they started on wed. So only 3 days total yet) that she may be doing this too often. Then the question would be what is she punishing for.

As for the punishment. Well if the only thing they can really do is take away recess (kids are too young for detention as they wouldn't have a way home or to after school care, so what else do you propose they do exactly?) then it seems better to have them walk then not get to go play at all and just sit at their desk the whole time. This was what the punishment was when I was in school (or if the teacher was a recess monitor sit on the bench near one of the teachers the whole time)

 

[Jedana]

it's getting to the point where teachers are not allowed to do ANYTHING when kids misbehave, because no matter what they do, it's "singling a child out" or it's "shaming a child" or it's teaching them to have "negative associations"....everyone is so concerned with "it will make the children FEEL bad..." Well guess what, when children choose to act in a way that is disobedient or disrespectful, they are SUPPOSED to feel bad! THAT is how they learn that the behavior was not acceptable! It's really getting ridiculous. Parents are more concerned with their child's feelings and self esteem than they are concerned that their child grows up knowing appropriate behavior and respect for others.

When I was a kid (oh, boy, get off my lawn!), if I got into to trouble at school, I didn't want to go home! I knew whatever happened at school = punishment at home. One or two swats from my dad was the worst I got physically, but that man was (at various points in his life) an Army vet, a minor league baseball player, a firefighter and a truck driver--he had a powerful upper body--and those swats HURT!!!!

I learned very quickly to NOT cause trouble in school. Disrespecting an adult got the worst. Fighting, my dad would be upset because mom was upset, but he didn't care about the fighting unless one of his kids started it, just about mom's thoughts on the matter.

My kids have all learned--very quickly--that while their thoughts and feelings matter to us, their behavior will not be that of a little hooligan.

 

[sunshinehighway]

When I was a kid (oh, boy, get off my lawn!), if I got into to trouble at school, I didn't want to go home! I knew whatever happened at school = punishment at home. One or two swats from my dad was the worst I got physically, but that man was (at various points in his life) an Army vet, a minor league baseball player, a firefighter and a truck driver--he had a powerful upper body--and those swats HURT!!!!

I learned very quickly to NOT cause trouble in school. Disrespecting an adult got the worst. Fighting, my dad would be upset because mom was upset, but he didn't care about the fighting unless one of his kids started it, just about mom's thoughts on the matter.

My kids have all learned--very quickly--that while their thoughts and feelings matter to us, their behavior will not be that of a little hooligan.

That's a lesson too many parents don't teach. Many parents out their kids' feeling above their behavior and let those feelings excuse bad behavior.
Look at this thread. If there's concern about the class being punished for bad behavior, shouldn't the concern be how the kids are misbehaving? Nope. The concern is if WALKING is an appropriate punishment.

 

[kellyg403]

Totally appropriate in my book.

I went to Catholic schools in the 70's and 80's and honestly, I don't remember some of the things people posted. But, regardless, I knew better than have the nuns call my mother for anything, it was way worse than a ruler. Yes, we would get smacked with a ruler, but they didn't do it just for the fun of it. Just my two cents on that.

For those thinking this is not an appropriate punishment, what would you prefer?

Kelly

 

[Happy Snowman]

I hope the OP comes back and fills in the gaps in the story.

 

[Mkrop]

Not the first time I have heard of nuns doing this.

That wasnt the point. I have only heard about NUNS doing this type of punishment and forcing kids to be righties when they were lefties. I entered Catholic school when I guess the tide had changed and nuns or lay teachers were no longer doing this and I never witnessed it.

I have always heard how bad the nuns were, and they probably were, but my DH who went to PUBLIC school had the same punishements and had the same push to be a rightie when he probably should have been a leftie (Both of our kids are and no one else in the family is)

My point was that this happened in other places besides where the nuns taught. Hope it is clearer now

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Is it is appropriate punishment? IDK. If it is the only punishment they rely on, I say no.

You cannot count on using it all the time due to weather and the effectiveness of the punishment will wear off anyway. I can see using it on occasion when the punishment fits the crime so to speak.

My opinion on the matter is that there are more smart, effective ways of dealing with rowdy kids in the classroom. I guess I would prefer a more structured punishment for the kids so they learn the classroom rules due to the fact they are in K. It just makes more sense to me.

 

[Mkrop]

I have NOT read entire thread

Questions_

-Is this for THIS YEAR??? School her has only been in session for 2 weeks...if the class is THAT OUT OF CONTROL ALREADY something is seriously wrong



-Here, in the South, it is SERIOUSLY hot and I would be LIVID

- So the rest of the school teachers SEE THIS and make no comment?

-My kids were quiet and shy in those first weeks of K-I cant imagine a rowdy KINDRGARTEN class!!!!:scared1:

Oh they are out there. I help at lunch and there are certain classes that have that dynamic and it only takes a few (who are not shy and scared) who can get the whole class going. And if this is at lunch it is not a classroom management issue, the teacher is most likely not there, she is having lunch.

Our younger classes get one day on the playground equipment, well for this particular class (K) we had to have two monitors over there because the dynamic of the group was different and they struggled to listen to the instructions on safety. This was the first time in years that they had to have 2 people. We had another group who when we had indoor recess they were a handful. Other classes were fine with a few exceptions.

 

[TLSnell1981]

LOL, maybe the 5 year old in question actually got in trouble and had to sit on the sidelines during PE!

Just kidding OP. I hope you'll post back here when you confirm what really happened.

you weren't the only one, thinking that...

I have no issues with it - kids are still getting out, getting the exercise they need, but the "fun" aspect of it is taken away...thus, a punishment.

If, they are unable to control themselves in the classroom? I'm all for a "structured activity", during recess.

 

[mom2rtk]

That wasnt the point. I have only heard about NUNS doing this type of punishment and forcing kids to be righties when they were lefties. I entered Catholic school when I guess the tide had changed and nuns or lay teachers were no longer doing this and I never witnessed it.

I have always heard how bad the nuns were, and they probably were, but my DH who went to PUBLIC school had the same punishements and had the same push to be a rightie when he probably should have been a leftie (Both of our kids are and no one else in the family is)

My point was that this happened in other places besides where the nuns taught. Hope it is clearer now

I have vivid memories of my early public school years, living in terror of being sent to the principal's office for swats.

 

[Jeafl]

. Also remember that your kid is probably telling some strange tales about things that happen at home too.
.

Trust me, the things the students tell me about what goes on at home have me looking like this.

Our hands are tied. Going to the office is a joke bc they call their parents and parents yell at the principal for upsetting their kid.

This is sad, but true. I had a student who threw his shoes and tipped over several desks because he wasn't chosen for something. He was screaming and crying and carrying on so I had the assistant principal come and get him. His parents later called me and yelled at me for "embarrassing him". Sorry mom and dad, he embarrassed himself by acting like that. They felt that I should have let him continue that behavior because he just has a "strong personality". I will not let him disrupt the entire classroom because Mom and Dad taught him that everything he does is cute. His mom wanted me to apologize to him in front of the whole class and I told her that wasn't going to happen. I did tell her that he was welcome to apologize to the whole class for scaring and disrupting them though. That went over like a lead balloon.

I have NOT read entire thread

Questions_

-Is this for THIS YEAR??? School her has only been in session for 2 weeks...if the class is THAT OUT OF CONTROL ALREADY something is seriously wrong



-Here, in the South, it is SERIOUSLY hot and I would be LIVID

- So the rest of the school teachers SEE THIS and make no comment?

-My kids were quiet and shy in those first weeks of K-I cant imagine a rowdy KINDRGARTEN class!!!!

Are you kidding? Not all kids are quiet and shy like yours Some kindergartners don't go to preschool and are in a classroom setting for the first time. They have no idea what is appropriate behavior. I wish all parents would volunteer in the classroom at least once to see what really goes on. It's a real eye-opener!