Case
It's Just Kindergarten!

There is a problem student in Mrs. Smith's Kindergarten class. He plays constantly while instruction is going on and is falling behind in class work because of his behavior. The teacher has made his parents aware of his behavior and addressed that it is a concern. The parents continue to avoid the situation because they say that "It is just Kindergarten and all they do is play all day anyway". The teacher has made it clear that it is more than that and has went over standards and state requirements with the parents but they still do not seem to get it. The teacher has also tried to motivate the child in many different ways. What are some ways the teacher could handle this situation?

Posted on: 10/16/14 | Views: 1394
Solution #1
Invite the parent in for the day. Let the follow the student and see how the other students are behaving and learning skills. This may help you with parental support. With the child, try seating him in a location that will cut down on distractions. Try to a reward system to reenforce his good behavior.

I like the idea of inviting the parents in for the day, that way they can see the material that is being taught to their child, and how the child responds in educational settings. Seeing is believing.

That's a great idea, allow the parents to come in for the day and be in their child's shoes. I would treat them as if they were a student in my class. We can't change or better our students' parents that is who they re and how they incision kindergarten.

I would try and include more hands on and interactive work. Maybe that will help a little.

I like making the parents get involved.

19 0
Solution #2
I also liked that you shared the standards that must be mastered in Kindergarten. Sadly, many parents do not realized how much school has changed. My solution is both for the student and parent. As a 2nd grade teacher, I allow students that won't behave in Kindergarten and 1st grade to come to my class for a little while. Then, after the student has been in my room I ask them if they think being in 2nd grade is harder than 1st. We discuss how they have to sit still for longer periods of time, copy from the board, write in paragraphs, and do really hard math! ;) I would also ask a 1st or 2nd grade teacher to sit in with you the next time you meet with the parents. They can help explain the importance of building a strong base in Kindergarten. I have done this and it helps when the parents see what is expected in 2nd grade and that there are grades attached.

I think this could be a good possible solution. I agree that having the student shadow in a grade higher may help them understand why learning what they can from the grade they are in now is important. I also think having the first grade teacher conference with the parents and discussing how important Kindergarten instruction is would help as well.

I like this response. I would also inform parents that the student may risk being retained another year in Kindergarten and how this would negatively affect his education for the rest of his schooling. I also would inform them that if the problems don't get corrected early on they just increase and intensify.

14 2
Solution #3
I like the idea of inviting the parent for a day but they may cause more of a distraction for the student. I think a behavior management plan would be a great start. In my class students are not allowed to do certain activities unless they have a certain amount of behavior tallies. For example the students start out with five tally marks on the board, if the student disobeys or acts up take a tally away each time. Then say you must have at least on tally left to go to recess. Also incentives are always good, if you have all your tally marks by the end of the day you can pick from the treasure box.
1 0
Solution #4
Showing the Kindergarten standards is great. What if the parents were also shown the expectations for first grade. They could meet with a first grade teacher. Then they may realize that the expectations get more intense and so do punishments.
1 0
Solution #5
A lot of what has already been done is a great start. Showing the Kindergarten standards to the parents is incredibly important. I might even go so far as to show the VPK standards/a VPK curriculum to further prove the point that "school doesn't start in Kindergarten anymore" (or whatever the logo is). I also like the idea of having the parents come in for the day--although I would say to have them only come in for a part of the day, so that the entire day isn't spent in distraction. I would also have them come in towards the end of the day, just in case the student's day is set off and they either cry about their parents leaving or are distracted and looking for their parents for the rest of the day. Another thing that you could do is intermittently reward the student for appropriate behavior.
1 0
Solution #6
I agree that letting the parent come in for class one day may help if it is possible. Then they will be able to see it isn't just play all day. Even preschool has students doing certain tasks that prep them for higher grade levels. Just because they're extremely young doesn't mean their work is pointless. In fact, if they do not get the scaffolding they need in kindergarten, they may be at a huge disadvantage in the years to come.
0 0
Solution #7
I've worked in Kindergarten before, and it is a beast of its own! I agree with everyone else that having the parents come in may help, however sometimes you just can not get the parents to care enough. This is why the student has you! He seems very active and jittery, so perhaps he may work for "brain breaks". Get him to do 15 min of progressive work, and he can earn a short, 3 or 5 min break. Perhaps play a song or dance (I use GoNoodle every day!). Have a visual reward chart, if he ears X amount of points, then he may earn Y. Have a progress chart he can move himself. Something physical as he seems he may be a very kinesthetic learner! Even hands-on drawing worksheets or tracing letters with play-dough, etc. Just something that lets him use his body in a productive way!
0 0
Solution #8
Involve the parents more or ask administration for ideas.

Yes I agree, having more parent support would help.

Parent involvement is a great and easy.

0 1
Solution #9
I like how you said the teacher did provide the parents with the standards to show it is not like kindergarten used to be. At the end of the day, you cannot motivate a parent to care. Start with the child by giving positive reinforcement each time he completes an assignment or stays on topic. Take away things when he does not. I wish more parents stayed involved and cared about their student's outcome. Kindergarten is an extremely important year now!

Sad to say but I agree with you, you can't make a parent care, you can only do your best.

2 6