a bit shocked by teacher

liney

jenhug wrote: »

You would have thought she would have picked up on their subtle changes in body laguage after she said it and realised she had upset them then.

I'm not trying to be argumentative here, but I really disagree with her methods, as a qualified teacher she must have been taught a better way.

I take your point, however, on collecting my son from school one afternoon he burst into tears saying he didn't feel well. He'd not told the teacher who had no idea there was anything at all the matter. She ushered us in thinking something was seriously wrong, but he'd only got tummy ache. (Aged 4)

What children say, mean, and actually do at this age are usually very different things.

sandiep

Is this what School is about, as much as passing exams? Learning to be in social situations, learning to read people, understand meanings, language, interpret moods, be in groups, get on with people you don't like, etc etc et.

Janepig

I can't believe the fuss some parents make. Honestly. I've got a bit het up in the past when DD (who is still only six and just gone into year 2) has come home and got a bit upset about playground teasing, but I've learned my lesson because the next day they're invariably all pals again. I keep out of it now.

I'm sure that most of us have had good and bad teachers and aren't irrevocably scarred from it - although there is one teacher I had who I see now and again and I have to fight the urge to run him over in my car!! Basically, I couldn't teach a classfull of kids, so it would have to be something major before I would go criticising. Perhaps those who moan should have a go at doing it themselves :rolleyes:.

Jxx

lostinrates

liney wrote: »

We, as polite human beings should of course attempt to upset people where possible, but the teacher has only just met the children and is likely unaware that she has done anything other than made a jokey comment.

I think this is probably closest to the mark.

We can't possibly know how the teacher said it. I know the teacher I spoke about said it in a terrifying way, but this was not in UK, where standards are on average very high. I've been thinking, since I posted, about what I'd do in reality, and I think though because of my experience I'd be shocked, I also agree that making a big deal or showing disapproval would probably make it worse for a child who was not sure which way to take it or who is hoping to get some milage out of it.

poet123

jenhug wrote: »

Not everyone can read body language unfortunately. My daughter is ASD and cannot. She would take the comment literally.

Surely the teacher has better ways of getting the classes attention?

Then you are probably looking at this issue from your daughters perspective, with respect, most other kids, can and do recognise when a comment is lighthearted, or a joke. If they do not, a little reassurance is all that is needed. We cannot wrap them in cotton wool and shield them from normal interaction, it is not helpful nor required. The process of growing up requires that kids learn to make judgements about comments and actions they see around them.

jenhug

I have 2 children, one with ASD, one without, so I think that gives me quite a balanced view of both sides of school life.
A teacher that has never taught my children made a similar remark to some year R children, it caused a huge fuss, one that I wasn't involved in I have to say.

I really don't think teaching children its ok for adults to speak to them in this way is good. Joke or not.

Spendless

Just as well she doesn't have my kids in her class. They'd have told her that the tongue has the capacity to repair itself and they were likely to be back talking in no time. (they know this cos their Dad had an op on his tongue last year).

If mine came home saying anything though I'd be checking what was actually said because my son tends to not be listening and my 6yo daughter suffers from over-active imagination.

Rummer

I certainly would not go to the teacher about a comment like that. If over the next few weeks there are other comments made that upset your child them maybe ask her for clarification.

tandraig

liney wrote: »

Average children can ready body language from a very early age. They understand body language and tone of voice before real words which is why it doesn't matter what you read to a baby as long as you read with a soft voice and a smile on your face.

We, as polite human beings should of course attempt to upset people where possible, but the teacher has only just met the children and is likely unaware that she has done anything other than made a jokey comment.

we should attempt to upset people? liney you for real?

tandraig

my grandson is ASD one of my twin grandkids are also possibly ASD and for those who dont know ASD is Autistic Spectrum Disorder. these kids take EVERYTHING you say literally. so do most six year olds. I would have a word with head teacher telling them the kid took it literally. then see how things go.