2yearold teacher says she allows some wrestling, roughhousing

[Anonymous]

DS is a pretty aggressive kid already, and I was somewhat surprised when his 2 year old class teacher said she allows kids to do some wrestling and roughhousing, "within reason and as long as no one is getting hurt," during school day. This blew my mind, because it seems like kids at this age aren't able to differentiate when that kind of behavior is appropriate and when it's not. We've had issues with my child being aggressively and --- while I'm no prude --- seems to me that this wouldn't help curb that sort of behavior. Is this the norm? Am I overreacting? Not trying to send a toddler to a reform school but would also like any program he attends to help him learn appropriate social skills

[Anonymous]

Yes, you are overreacting. Read the article below.

A slew of research suggests that regular roughhousing sessions make for happier, more successful children.

http://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/roughhousing-aggressive-or-constructive-behaviour/

[Anonymous]

I would be very upset and tell her you do not want your child roughhousing. So, what happens when one gets hurt?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't mind

[Anonymous]

I allow it between my boys with the same guidelines (consent of both and lack of injury or even malice). I think it comes down to trust - do you trust the teacher to know when to stop it? I can see good reasons both ways (she's a professional but has so many kids to watch), but it really comes down to your comfort level.

[Anonymous]

Actually, I think this is great. Toddlers are physical. They play rough. It's their nature at this age. I welcome a teacher that understands that and doesn't force my child into constraints beyond their capability. I'm sure she's not letting the children beat each other up, so chill OP.

[Anonymous]

I would breathe a sigh of relief that my active 2 year old could get some energy out without being overly penalized.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would breathe a sigh of relief that my active 2 year old could get some energy out without being overly penalized.

Ditto.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, you are overreacting. Read the article below.

A slew of research suggests that regular roughhousing sessions make for happier, more successful children.

http://www.todaysparent.com/family/parenting/roughhousing-aggressive-or-constructive-behaviour/

+1 Kids need to be kids. They have to get their wiggles out. They don't have weapons, there aren't going to be serious injuries from rough-housing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would breathe a sigh of relief that my active 2 year old could get some energy out without being overly penalized.

Ditto.

Also agree.

[Anonymous]

She must not have a big class. I teach 3 year olds and with the amount of students I have plus the size of my classroom, letting a few kids tussle would inevitably lead to total mayhem.

[Anonymous]

Our day care seems to allow it outdoors but not indoors. In the young 3s/older 2s class, I have seen the teachers put a stop to roughhousing indoors. But they don't say much when the kids wrestle or put each other in headlocks on the playground, unless any kid seems to be objecting. My son is often the headlock subject though I have not seen him initiate. It looks uncomfortable to me so I asked him if he liked when kid X or Y does it (seems to be a thing with just 2 of the other 7 boys). He said yes, it was fun or funny. So I let it go. I figure he'll speak up or get away or retaliate in some fashion if he doesn't like it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is a pretty aggressive kid already, and I was somewhat surprised when his 2 year old class teacher said she allows kids to do some wrestling and roughhousing, "within reason and as long as no one is getting hurt," during school day. This blew my mind, because it seems like kids at this age aren't able to differentiate when that kind of behavior is appropriate and when it's not. We've had issues with my child being aggressively and --- while I'm no prude --- seems to me that this wouldn't help curb that sort of behavior. Is this the norm? Am I overreacting? Not trying to send a toddler to a reform school but would also like any program he attends to help him learn appropriate social skills

OP I think this is crazy and I agree that letting kids do this is not teaching appropriate social skills. I would be really annoyed if this was my child's school. I also agree with the preschool teacher who posted that it would lead to mayhem. Then how do the teachers get it under control?

[Anonymous]

I would not be okay with this as a parent. I taught twos for many years, and this would not have been acceptable with my director. Kids this age have lots of energy, but it's the teacher's job to have enough constructive activities available to keep kids engaged and busy indoors, plus lots of outdoor playtime daily.

Check this out with the director -- they would be liable if anything happens.

[Anonymous]

Wouldn't bother me, so long as I trusted the teacher's judgment. Kids wrestle and roughhouse. At our daycare, there's no roughhousing allowed indoors, but they are a little looser outside. As long as all the kids involved are having fun, and no one is really at risk of getting hurt, I don't see a problem. Kids will learn where the line is.