QUESTION:
I am at the end of my tether with my 6-year old son. He does not pay attention and is distracting in class. At home everything is fine. He has got a behavior book that he brings to school so his teacher records his behavior for the day. He brings that home and he is punished accordingly, such as early bedtime, no toys/cartoons. He promises to behave, but he never does. Could you please point me in the right direction.
RESPONSE:
Take him for a walk and have a conversation with him. (Boys will not open up like girls. Boys will open up more if they are doing something—playing checkers, walking, or involved in some activity.)
After starting the conversation on a light subject, ask him if he finds the work very difficult. If he does, get a commitment from him to show you an example. If you perceive he has some learning difficulty, inform the school that you would like him tested. Also, have his hearing and vision tested.
During your activity with him, also ask him how he FEELS about his teacher.
If he does not feel he has a good relationship with his teacher, there is a problem. Have him relate his feelings to you and determine (a) how he can choose to respond to his feelings and (b) develop some procedure he can use to redirect negative thoughts so his impulses will not overcome him.
Share your observations with his teacher. Include sharing the three practices of the teaching model.
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