So much time spent disciplining kids in K

[Anonymous]

Have you spent a day observing the class? I was shocked when I did and the aid in the class did not communicate with the teacher or engage with the kids. So basically the teacher was on her own. It was a PK class - but you can sometimes see the dynamics of the class by observing. It helped me figure out the issue I had. I removed my child from the school.
It was not a healthy, happy environment - he is doing great in his new environment. I realize it is difficult to move kids in DCPS, but observing may help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you spent a day observing the class? I was shocked when I did and the aid in the class did not communicate with the teacher or engage with the kids. So basically the teacher was on her own. It was a PK class - but you can sometimes see the dynamics of the class by observing. It helped me figure out the issue I had. I removed my child from the school.
It was not a healthy, happy environment - he is doing great in his new environment. I realize it is difficult to move kids in DCPS, but observing may help.

Similar experience in our DCPS PK. where did you move your child?

[Anonymous]

I observed my child's class on more than one occasion this fall due to concerns about behavior from several kids in the class that were fueling others to do the same. Despite a well meaning teacher, she was in over her head, and did not have the skills necessary to manage the classroom and foster learning.

The teacher was removed from the classroom over winter break- and the class now functions positively. 95% of behavior problems removed. Now more of a typical 5 year old nature. Such a relief.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too many children who haven't learned that no means no and are being asked instead of told by adults. Don't care what spectrum or income bracket they belong to. It's everywhere and adults can't understand why things are so hard. Because kids haven't been taught to do what they were told the first time!

Probably the most brilliant DCUM parenting post of the month.

I agree. This is so true.

[Anonymous]

Young kids need exercise, creative and engaging teaching, and lots of time for play. Play and free time are extremely important for young children as play allows children to practice and consolidate new information and experiences. Your child's brain will not function properly, and he/she will not be able to achieve his/her academic potential without ample "play time". Part of the reason for the explosion in ADHD diagnoses is children's free time and time for physical activity being severely and unnaturally restricted in modern schools. The current school day is too long and includes too little physical activity for children's needs...this is especially true for boys. Moreover, people are born with different abilities and thus have different learning styles (visual vs oral vs tactile, ect.) and require differentiated teaching. This can only be achieved in relatively small classes. All of the above is supported by tons of research.

Most public schools (and quite a few privates as well) are failing to meet the psychological needs of young children. This leads to behavior problems and difficulty learning. If you can find a way to afford private, do so. My kids' small, not well-known private gives children three outdoor breaks a day (two 20 minute plus 30 minutes for lunch and 30 minutes for recess) from pre-k through first grade, and then two breaks (20 minutes morning play, plus an hour for lunch and recess) through elementary school. They have Phys Ed twice a week as well as music and art. Classes are small, with individual attention, topics are taught using different modalities and lots of creative projects. Kids learn a lot without realizing it. At pre-k, many of the kids are already reading simple books and they start teaching multiplication and division in second grade. Lots of play time actually aids in having strong academics. The pre-pre-k class (3 year-olds) is all play with teachers taking small groups of kids aside during the day to work on phonics, numbers, and writing skills. Behavior problems are dealt with one-on-one (one of the teachers takes misbehaving child away from the group to discuss behavior) and even the three-year-olds line-up and stay quiet and still when asked. The point is, kids are given appropriate outlets for their energy and curiosity and this leads to a calm and disciplined atmosphere. Of course, since this is a private school, if a particular child is causing repeated problems, they will eventually be asked to leave the school. However, to my knowledge, the school has not had to use expulsion before, as the measures teachers and administrators undertake are effective at changing negative behaviors. That is the way a school should function.

[Anonymous]

I would love this for my DCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Young kids need exercise, creative and engaging teaching, and lots of time for play. Play and free time are extremely important for young children as play allows children to practice and consolidate new information and experiences. Your child's brain will not function properly, and he/she will not be able to achieve his/her academic potential without ample "play time". Part of the reason for the explosion in ADHD diagnoses is children's free time and time for physical activity being severely and unnaturally restricted in modern schools. The current school day is too long and includes too little physical activity for children's needs...this is especially true for boys. Moreover, people are born with different abilities and thus have different learning styles (visual vs oral vs tactile, ect.) and require differentiated teaching. This can only be achieved in relatively small classes. All of the above is supported by tons of research.

Most public schools (and quite a few privates as well) are failing to meet the psychological needs of young children. This leads to behavior problems and difficulty learning. If you can find a way to afford private, do so. My kids' small, not well-known private gives children three outdoor breaks a day (two 20 minute plus 30 minutes for lunch and 30 minutes for recess) from pre-k through first grade, and then two breaks (20 minutes morning play, plus an hour for lunch and recess) through elementary school. They have Phys Ed twice a week as well as music and art. Classes are small, with individual attention, topics are taught using different modalities and lots of creative projects. Kids learn a lot without realizing it. At pre-k, many of the kids are already reading simple books and they start teaching multiplication and division in second grade. Lots of play time actually aids in having strong academics. The pre-pre-k class (3 year-olds) is all play with teachers taking small groups of kids aside during the day to work on phonics, numbers, and writing skills. Behavior problems are dealt with one-on-one (one of the teachers takes misbehaving child away from the group to discuss behavior) and even the three-year-olds line-up and stay quiet and still when asked. The point is, kids are given appropriate outlets for their energy and curiosity and this leads to a calm and disciplined atmosphere. Of course, since this is a private school, if a particular child is causing repeated problems, they will eventually be asked to leave the school. However, to my knowledge, the school has not had to use expulsion before, as the measures teachers and administrators undertake are effective at changing negative behaviors. That is the way a school should function.

Which school? Spill it!

[Anonymous]

Wonderful, but you're paying, what? Close to 30K a year for the special/appropriate treatment? Glad to learn what you're getting for your hard-earned money, because hearing about such experiences helps keep our eyes open to the reality that it pays to work at filling gaps public schools create, at least in this city. I'm not remotely impressed with the dry DCPS K curriculum and scattershot approach to enrichment.

I don't doubt that the education on offer at your private is far better than that in even the best DCPS elementary schools, but perhaps there's still something to be said for being in public school with the neighborhood kids. In our experience, learning to put up with this and that teaches children resourcefulness. We've learned to look for, and find, the sort of stimulation your child is getting during the school day elsewhere.

I no longer open my child's DCPS report cards. I used to, but the system wants her on a conveyer belt, so I'm better off talking to the teacher about how's she's doing and leave it at that. We make a point of ensuring that she's involved in various extra curriculars in small groups with strong instructors who get to know her better than her DCPS teacher has. We also take advantage of good quality public library and DC Parks and Recs activities and summer programs to supplement, and limit screen time. We're even raising her bilingual at home in a language DC public does not teach.

Glad you love your private but remain unconvinced that we all need to pay independent school tuition to ensure that our kids thrive, even if we can afford to year in and year out.