Gettin to the bottom if things-

Posts: 3673
9/10/11 11:17 P

been doing my research and feel like I need to update-

The thinking chair isnt punishment or timeout- it chosen by the child when things become too overwhelming and they want to sit out for a moment. I misunderstood my lo- He isnt being punished- he is choosing to have personal space and free time to himself. Never thought of it myself, but I am okay with it! : ) Much releaved too!

Guess something was lost in translation during the first explanation!

Things are going some what better- trying to keep an open mind and stay super involved.

Posts: 3673
9/1/11 2:31 P

I have- one of the children is already in the process of being moved. 3 or 4 others parents are concerned after having had similar strange encounters. One said she feels bullied- another says she feels like her parenting skills are being criticized.

Glad you picked up on that- I thought laughing was extreme too. As a family we laugh all the time! It's part of who we are. I know, there are times when it would be inappropriate- but a time out for it seems a little over the top.

Posts: 206
9/1/11 1:09 P

I would be very concerned!! They have to sit in the thinking chair for laughing?? Thats absurd!! I would definitely do a few drop ins to see what was going on. Have you talked with any other parents who have similar concerns?

Posts: 3673
9/1/11 11:08 A

I did some digging this am- asked a lot of questions to the new teacher and really listened. I also watched my lo- truth is one thing he hasn't learned to disguise just yet. He froze at the door to his class and refused to go inside WITH me. He has this melt/hide behavior that he does when he's scared.

I have called and put us on a wait list at an alternate school as a tentative back-up plan. In addition, and perhaps more active approach- both DH and I are also going to go speak with the manager of our place about our concerns. I mean, we have really loved the place until now, and I would hate to have it lost. If we can fix this I would love for him to stay.

And, with some drop in visits- which we are allowed to use to observe the class in progress I think we will have our answer.

Edited by: HC2007 at: 9/1/2011 (14:32)

Posts: 3673
8/31/11 9:14 P

LO stared prek a week and a half ago. He's been in the same facility since he was 8 weeks and until this semester we have LOVED everyone that we've worked with there.

Two weeks ago our PREK teacher had to quite unexpectedly, and in a pinch they've hired a new lady to take over. She's hard to explain but she's not like the rest of the staff- THe only way to descrbe the new lady is she'd like a Marine staff sargent working in a Montessori/unschool system. The change is so dramatic, so unbelievable that I am quite dumbfounded.

My LO went from cheerily telling me what he did all day (before the pre-k class change to new teacher) to not uttering a word about what he does all day for fear of being punished by me. I have no idea what this lady's told him- I have never yelled about things outside of school.

He did tell me that he doesnt want to sit in the "thinking chair anymore". I asked what kinds of things make a kid sit in the thinking chair and he answered, laughing, crying, not sharing, and what not.... Not saying hes perfect but he's never been in time out repeatedly.

I tried to kiss my LO's forehead tonight as I buckled him in the carseat and he told me "No kissing Mom. MS XXX said no kissing." Again dumbfounded.

I am going to head in extra early and see if I cant talk to Ms. XXX in the am. Wish me luck!