does this seem like an appropriate punishment for kindergarteners?

[Luv Bunnies]

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!!!!

Actually, it's more common for kindergarten classes to start the year being loud and out of control. Some of the kids are in a classroom for the first time. The teacher needs to establish the rules and consequences early and often at this point in the year. Otherwise the class will stay loud and out of control. The teacher in question is showing the entire class what happens when they don't comply with directions and rules. As I said in a previous comment, the teacher will likely be able to fade out the lap walking as the kids get with the program.

 

[Mkrop]

Actually, it's more common for kindergarten classes to start the year being loud and out of control. Some of the kids are in a classroom for the first time. The teacher needs to establish the rules and consequences early and often at this point in the year. Otherwise the class will stay loud and out of control. The teacher in question is showing the entire class what happens when they don't comply with directions and rules. As I said in a previous comment, the teacher will likely be able to fade out the lap walking as the kids get with the program.

And not only are some in the classroom there for the first time, most of the kids came from various settings, daycare, home daycare, SAHM, preschool a few days, staying w/ grandma etc. The rules and allowed behavior could be totally different in all thos scenarios. And these little ones have no clue how the school itself operates, so they have to learn, some catch on better and quicker than others. Like Johnny might catch on after being told once that there is no talking during assembly, Joey understood from the minute he walked in, and Jimmy well Jimmy still hasnt figured it out weeks into school and sometimes punishment might be what Jimmy needs to realize he needs to be quiet. Or sometimes it is a full moon and none of the can remain quiet


ETA: Oh and just bc you think your child is shy, they may not be. I know one mom who thinks her DD is an angel and so shy and quiet and boy I could tell her differently. That girl is loud and mean girl to the fullest. So sometimes behavior at home doesnt match up with behavior at school either

 

[NewRVLady]

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!

Since this was directed to me...... I WAS in the class a lot- every grade
Room mother, chauffeur to sports after school. 20 years ago - when mine were in Kindergarten- things weren't total bedlam as depicted by others on this thread

 

[stm61]

Since this was directed to me...... I WAS in the class a lot- every grade
Room mother, chauffeur to sports after school. 20 years ago - when mine were in Kindergarten- things weren't total bedlam as depicted by others on this thread

My oldest kids are in their early 20's, my youngest just turned 3. I'm also a teacher. Believe me, there is a huge difference in what went on in my oldest son's kindergarten class and what goes on in kindergarten now. There's a huge difference in what is tolerated in every grade, not just 5K.

 

[Coonhound]

And not only are some in the classroom there for the first time, most of the kids came from various settings, daycare, home daycare, SAHM, preschool a few days, staying w/ grandma etc. The rules and allowed behavior could be totally different in all thos scenarios. And these little ones have no clue how the school itself operates, so they have to learn, some catch on better and quicker than others. Like Johnny might catch on after being told once that there is no talking during assembly, Joey understood from the minute he walked in, and Jimmy well Jimmy still hasnt figured it out weeks into school and sometimes punishment might be what Jimmy needs to realize he needs to be quiet. Or sometimes it is a full moon and none of the can remain quiet


ETA: Oh and just bc you think your child is shy, they may not be. I know one mom who thinks her DD is an angel and so shy and quiet and boy I could tell her differently. That girl is loud and mean girl to the fullest. So sometimes behavior at home doesnt match up with behavior at school either

My friend who is a teacher used to teach kindergarten and always said that they really need to split the kids into two classes- one class for the kinds who are going to school for the first time, and one for the kids who have been in classrooms prior (kids who have been in daycare for years).
She said there was a huge difference in the kids.
(Not every child of course but in general)
Kids who were coming to school for the first time were generally more quiet and somewhat scared and were just getting used to being in a classroom setting- learning that they need to stay in their seat, raise their hand, etc. Those kids tended to cry sometimes in the very beginning of the school year because they missed their mommy or because they wanted to run around and play and weren't able to do what they wanted when they wanted, they had to follow the schedule of the classroom.
The other group of kids were the ones who had been in class before, in daycare/preschool settings. Those kids understood how classrooms worked and knew the rules so to speak, but, they tended to be a lot rowdier, sassier, and more inclined to try to get away with things.
She always said they needed two separate classes because the kids who were used to being home with a parent got very overwhelmed by the daycare kids, and the teacher needed to be more stern with the daycare kids but it wasn't fair to the stay at home kids.
Now this isn't every child but it was her experience from years of kindergarten with mixed classes of kids who came from years of daycare and kids who were used to the home setting.

 

[Wendy31]

I was a kindergarten teacher.

A good kindergarten teacher will spend time in the first 2-3 weeks of school concentrating on procedures & how the classroom "runs" - it sets up a good tone for the rest of the year.

I once spent a good bit of our recess w/ my class practicing how to walk from our classroom to the playground.

We were still up & moving & getting some exercise, but we were also learning the right way to walk in line - hands to ourselves, following our line leader, mouth quiet, feet quiet, etc.

As a parent, I wouldn't have a problem w/ my child having to walk laps as a disciplinary method as long as the "discipline" was justly earned. It's much better than standing against the wall or having to stay inside the classroom at his/her desk.

 

[CaoilinnsMom]

A few thought from someone that has taught 5 year olds:

First, remember that your child is 5. It would be pretty unusual for a kindergarten teacher to discipline all the children but one. Your child COULD have been the only one not involved, but I would not be so sure.

on that particular day, the whole class was involved. My daughter was the only one who sat out, because she was the only one who had a "blue" behavior card for the day. It is supposed to be something special.

 

[carissa1970]

on that particular day, the whole class was involved. My daughter was the only one who sat out, because she was the only one who had a "blue" behavior card for the day. It is supposed to be something special.

Interesting. I sure hope you do go speak to the teacher, and then update us as to what was really happening, if it is different than your daughter's version.

Now this has me wondering about that blue card. My teammate at school allows her students to earn a "no mile pass", so that when the class runs a mile for PE, they can sit out. Maybe that is one of the perks of earning the blue card?

 

[brookmey]

My kids' school also has walking laps for misbehavior. I have no problem with it because the kids are still getting exercise. They only have 1 recess a day and PE every other day, so the walking is better than sitting in a classroom.

When DD was in 2nd grade her teacher took recess away frequently. She didn't even let the kids go out and walk. I had a big problem with that because the kids need a physical outlet for some of their energy. That is especially true for ADD or ADHD kids. DD has ADHD and on the days when she had no recess and no PE we got phone calls from her teacher about her "hyperactivity" in the classroom. It's funny how we didn't get those phone calls on days when DD had recess. So, I fully support a teacher's decision to have the kids walk laps instead of playing.

 

[CaoilinnsMom]

A few thought from someone that has taught 5 year olds:

First, remember that your child is 5. It would be pretty unusual for a kindergarten teacher to discipline all the children but one. Your child COULD have been the only one not involved, but I would not be so sure.

I finally just read all the posts. Thank you to everyone who responded. I am sorry to hear that some of you had such a negative school experience.

I guess i shouldn't be so surprised that so many of you suggested I not listen to what a five year old would say. Some of you will probably will think that I put to much trust in my daughter, but she is not prone to making up stories. She is not even likely to act out, in fact sometimes I wish she would because she is a little too compliant.

I picked the school she is at because the class size is small and it's a fairly sheltered environment. I think she needs to be in a small class, so she doesn't get overlooked as she is so quiet and well behaved. It is not a typical public school environment, and the kids are not "out of control." They are about to start their 4th full week of school, yes they started early.

On the particular day my daughter was the only one who sat out, the whole class was involved. Talking while walking through the halls, I think. My daughter was the only one who sat out, because she was the only one who had a "blue" behavior card for the day. It is supposed to be something special, she helped a friend complete a school task without being asked. The teacher told me that day, everyone had to walk but my daughter. On the day it was just boys, the boys were yelling in the cafeteria. This is about 2 hours before recess, I'm not sure if they are even able to connect the punishment with the behavior. It seems most times it is that the boys are acting out, nothing horrible just getting out of their seats and talking out of turn or something similar.

I do plan on talking to the teacher about it, I volunteer for her a few hours a week making copies and such. I don't want to come across as a complaining parent. I just want to understand why they are walking laps.

 

[Disney Doll]

It's threads like these that make me glad I'm not a teacher.

And we wonder why so many kids are turning out to he screwballs? Because so many parents think that a relatively mild punishment is like making them do the Bataan Death March.

 

[jrmasm]

My oldest kids are in their early 20's, my youngest just turned 3. I'm also a teacher. Believe me, there is a huge difference in what went on in my oldest son's kindergarten class and what goes on in kindergarten now. There's a huge difference in what is tolerated in every grade, not just 5K.

I believe it. My kids are 10 years apart and I have noticed a dramatic difference in the behavior of my younger DD's friends compared to her older sister's friends when they were the same age.

It's not "kids these days" it's "parents these days".

It's threads like these that make me glad I'm not a teacher.

And we wonder why so many kids are turning out to he screwballs? Because so many parents think that a relatively mild punishment is like making them do the Bataan Death March.

It totally agree.

 

[sunshinehighway]

From the info in the update, it sounds like the class is having trouble walking quietly in line. It sounds like she's having them practice.

 

[Colleen27]

I believe it. My kids are 10 years apart and I have noticed a dramatic difference in the behavior of my younger DD's friends compared to her older sister's friends when they were the same age.

It's not "kids these days" it's "parents these days".

I think to some degree it is also "schools these days". I have 10 years between my oldest and youngest too, and the expectations for 5yos have changed a lot even in that time. My older two were in a full day K program that was half day academics, half day semi-structured play and electives. My youngest (10 years younger than the oldest) started school the year our state mandated full-day K and the classroom expectations at the public elem much more closely resemble those of upper elem than the play-based program I attended or the half-and-half program my older kids were in. Even good kids sometimes have a hard time with adhering to classroom behaviour standards for hours at a stretch.

 

[Mkrop]

I finally just read all the posts. Thank you to everyone who responded. I am sorry to hear that some of you had such a negative school experience.

I guess i shouldn't be so surprised that so many of you suggested I not listen to what a five year old would say. Some of you will probably will think that I put to much trust in my daughter, but she is not prone to making up stories. She is not even likely to act out, in fact sometimes I wish she would because she is a little too compliant.

I picked the school she is at because the class size is small and it's a fairly sheltered environment. I think she needs to be in a small class, so she doesn't get overlooked as she is so quiet and well behaved. It is not a typical public school environment, and the kids are not "out of control." They are about to start their 4th full week of school, yes they started early.

On the particular day my daughter was the only one who sat out, the whole class was involved. Talking while walking through the halls, I think. My daughter was the only one who sat out, because she was the only one who had a "blue" behavior card for the day. It is supposed to be something special, she helped a friend complete a school task without being asked. The teacher told me that day, everyone had to walk but my daughter. On the day it was just boys, the boys were yelling in the cafeteria. This is about 2 hours before recess, I'm not sure if they are even able to connect the punishment with the behavior. It seems most times it is that the boys are acting out, nothing horrible just getting out of their seats and talking out of turn or something similar.
I do plan on talking to the teacher about it, I volunteer for her a few hours a week making copies and such. I don't want to come across as a complaining parent. I just want to understand why they are walking laps.

How do you know they are not out of control? You are not in the classroom daily. And if you are 4 weeks in than the kiddos should be getting the hang of the rules. The things that they were disciplined are important. Talking in the halls and yelling in the cafeteria are big no nos in my kids school. You can not hear instructions if you are not listening. What if was a fire drill and they were talking in the halls. All of this on an everyday basis is practice for when it is super important. And I dont know about your cafeteria but ours is a huge echo chamber and even mildly yelling is very disruptive and once again makes it hard for kids to hear announcements. Plus volume that loud isnt fair to the kids who may have sound sensitvities (My youngest had horrible sound sensitivties, the cafeteria, bus and assembly stressed him out bc it was so loud)

If the kids are not listening to her instructions, what type of punishment do you propose she uses if you dont think the walking is the way to go? Although it sounds from your post, that you dont think the kids did anything wrong.

ETA: also last year I started as a Recess Aide at my youngest school, and getting out of your seats is not allowed at lunch and I spend a good portion of my time there telling them to get back to their seats. They try to move their seats, go to the water fountain, go to the bathroom, go get a spoon etc. This is NOT safe. They can run into each other, most are too excitied and not looking where they are going, we need to keep track of them, and some days hot food is served and we dont want that knocked over. The kids have a hard enough time balancing trays w/out others up out of their seats

 

[jrmasm]

I think to some degree it is also "schools these days". I have 10 years between my oldest and youngest too, and the expectations for 5yos have changed a lot even in that time. My older two were in a full day K program that was half day academics, half day semi-structured play and electives. My youngest (10 years younger than the oldest) started school the year our state mandated full-day K and the classroom expectations at the public elem much more closely resemble those of upper elem than the play-based program I attended or the half-and-half program my older kids were in. Even good kids sometimes have a hard time with adhering to classroom behaviour standards for hours at a stretch.

I was making a general comment about children's behavior (as did the post I quoted). Not specifically kindergartners.

 

[DopeyDame]

Given the update, it sounds pretty reasonable to me. Walking laps quietly is a good way to practice walking quietly, and seems directly related to the initial infraction (talking in the hallways instead of walking quietly.) And 4 weeks in, it's time the kids should know how to behave and meet expectations.

Like I said in my first post, if this were the first week of school I'd be a little mystified but given it's a month in, I don't see a big problem. Maybe not how I'd handle it, but not a big deal.

As for your daughter being the only one not to be punished, if it was a "bonus" because of her blue card, I guess that makes sense. Although if she was talking in the hall, it seems like she still should have had to walk with the rest of the class. Hopefully it doesn't go to her head or anything.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

Given the update, I'd probably say the best way to correct the behavior is to have the kids practice walking in the halls during the first few minutes of recess. They may not connect hallway behavior with recess walking.

HOWEVER, I don't think walking at recess is a huge deal.

 

[Coonhound]

OP I honestly think you're overreacting. You said "I just want to understand why they are walking laps". But you already know why they're walking laps- it sounds as if you already answered your own question- they were made to walk laps because they were misbehaving. That's why. They were talking in class, moving from their seats etc which are big no-no's in any classroom setting. If they can't walk down the hall without speaking or jumping around, that is probably why the teacher is making them practice walking in line with no talking. It's not a thing to get upset over. She's disciplining her class. Maybe after they do this the children will see that they need to sit quietly in their seats, no talking to neighbors, etc.

 

[jodifla]

I think to some degree it is also "schools these days". I have 10 years between my oldest and youngest too, and the expectations for 5yos have changed a lot even in that time. My older two were in a full day K program that was half day academics, half day semi-structured play and electives. My youngest (10 years younger than the oldest) started school the year our state mandated full-day K and the classroom expectations at the public elem much more closely resemble those of upper elem than the play-based program I attended or the half-and-half program my older kids were in. Even good kids sometimes have a hard time with adhering to classroom behaviour standards for hours at a stretch.

I volunteered a lot in my son's K class and it was always the boys who were in trouble. The school model is too little-girl, sit-up-and-shut-up based as it is, and the new demand for academics for 4- and 5-year-olds is just developmentally inappropriate for so many kids. Female teachers in particular don't seem to get it.

My son's K program had hours and hours of talking and worksheets and sitting still, and the boys couldn't sustain their attention long enough. His teacher set up her boys to fail.

She was gone the next year.

Edited to add: I forgot, there was also one little girl constantly in trouble. She started school at 4, and the academics and social demands were swamping her.