Do your kids like school?

[mumof three]

My 6 yo was asked if she like school the other day, and I was surprised when she answered "I hate it, it's boring". We have had some problems with her teacher but we had sorted them out.

I am particularly bothered because she is at a private montessori school and I really thought she would be happier there than at the local primary. I didn't like school much, but we had no choice about what school we went to. Our kids are lucky enough to have options.

Moving classes, or moving schools would be a big disruption for her, and is not a decision I'd take lightly. I don't know if she'd be happier elsewhere or not, but I'd be happier with "not really" or "it's ok" than "i hate it".

What do your kids say when you ask them? And how old are they? If they "hate it", would you move them, if you could?

[jasminesmum]

I think kids go through stages of liking and hating school depending on whats going on there at the time.

My 8yr old ds generally likes school, but occasionly he will say it sucks. lol.
A teacher can make a big difference too, as to whether the child likes school or not.
Maybe it might be better for your dd next year when she has a different teacher.

I think to it would depend on how long they hate it before I thought about moving schools.

[KarniF00l]

Sorry to hear that your DD isn't enjoying school. It sounds as though maybe she not particularly fond of the teacher still. Does she have alot of friends at school.. maybe ask her what she doesn't like about school so it can give you some idea as to what is going on with her.

My DS started prep this year at a public school and he loves it. Thank god he's back today after having holidays because he was driving me crazy as he wanted to go to school. I thought all kids loved school at this age :confused:

I would be deffinatly asking your DD and see if you can get to the core of the problem. If she's not happy with the school or teacher i would think about moving her because at this stage it's not too late. If she were in grade 3 for example i think you would have a rough time then.

Goodluck and i hope it all works out for you and your DD!

[mumof three]

Maybe it might be better for your dd next year when she has a different teacher

That's the problem. In Montessori, you have the same teacher for three years, so she will have 2 more years with this one, unless we shift classes. Normally this is a great feature of Montessori, but in this case, her teacher is not ideal. Montessori is a great philosophy, but this particular teacher doesn't always apply it.

[mumof three]

It sounds as though maybe she not particularly fond of the teacher still. Does she have alot of friends at school.. maybe ask her what she doesn't like about school so it can give you some idea as to what is going on with her...........................

If she's not happy with the school or teacher i would think about moving her because at this stage it's not too late. If she were in grade 3 for example i think you would have a rough time then.

She has not made close friends and school, and is on the "young" end of the scale socially. When I ask her "who is your favourite person in your class?" she answers her teacher :confused: which is odd, because her teacher was growling at her a lot for working too slowly (this is very un-montessori :mad: ). We have stopped the growling, and DD is much happier than she was, and I thought she was liking school, until she answered the question that way.

When I ask her why she doesn't like it, she says "it's boring" which could mean a lot of things. She is bright and capable, but easily distracted. I think that a really good teacher would recognise and enjoy this, and engage her interest more.

You are right about it being better to move her sooner, rather than later, it's a good point!

[Elfin]

Changing classes sounds like a great idea, it sounds like the personalities are not gelling. Given that you are paying fees you are entitled to have a good teacher and a happy daughter.

My son is in Year 2 at a state school and just loves school, I find his teacher excellent and he constantly challenges the kids.

[mumof three]

Any more out there who can respond to the poll?

Thanks for your comments, those who have replied, I think I will move her into a different class. The principal is really good and I know will help us.

[KarniF00l]

Are you going to see it out until next year then move her. It's the forth term so there's not long to go KWIM. It might be alot easier on your DD if she moves classes next year. Just a thought!

[mumof three]

Are you going to see it out until next year then move her?

Yes, I would say so. The other class on her campus is taught by a man, who she is not especially keen on. As it happens, he is moving to the school's other campus next year to start a new classroom. A new teacher is therefore starting in his old room, and I could probably move her across at the same time as the new teacher starts. As the new teacher has been recruited by the principal, whom I think is fantastic, I think she will be much more "montessori" and will cater better for someone like Rose.

[Cheekychops]

:thumbsup: DS1 loves school!!!

[Hokey Pokey]

Liv loves it :thumbsup:

[bundymum]

I think if the school is Montessori and the teacher is not practicing their methods then you need to speak to someone higher up for starters! The teacher makes a HUGE impact on your childs education, if they make it an unpleasant experience then it's not going to be one of their favourite places to go is it..... My middle son was having trouble with his teacher, he's in year one and still has a long way to go so I knew I had to jump on the problem immediately! As it was a small school with only one year one class we decided to change schools completely and I must tell you it was the best thing we've done for his education! He's gone from kicking and screaming all the way to school to loving school so much he now hates school holidays!!! He was struggling to concentrate before we moved him quite simply because the teacher bored him, he's now doing so well!

[mumof three]

Thanks bundymum, it's great to hear from someone who has had similar problems and found a solution.

I've had an interesting twist to the event... When I spoke to DD1 about it again, and said I was going to talk to the principal about moving her, she was adamant:
"NO, i'm NOT moving!" :confused: GO FIGURE!!

The good news is that, having started term 4, she is feeling more settled socially, and that's why she doesn't want to move. The bad news is that she is still bored! I think the other reason she doesn't want to move is that she doesn't believe that any other teacher will be any better, or that school actually CAN be fun - she's resigned herself to going, regardless, and figures better the devil she knows...

I still wish we could move her. I'm glad she is happier socially, but I don't want her to spend three whole years believing that school is boring and something to be endured - not a good way to start your educational experience. :banghead: I am so frustrated. I am caught between her staying with this teacher, who is just not right for her, or else moving her against her will...

In the meantime, I have spoken to the principal and she is very much on board with making the experience more interesting for her, so :fingerscrossed: things will start to improve. I think Rose is at least feeling more supported, so that is a start. I think this is all I can do, at the moment.... I hope it is going to be enough!:(

[TanyasGot3Boys]

I have to agree with her teaching needing to be more "Montesorri". Unlike public schools where its hard to get teachers to be more accountable or relocated, a private school gives you the expectation that the teacher will be far more accountable. What I mean is, you enrolled Rose because of Montesorri's unique methods. Rose at minimum should be exposed to that in her everyday classes. The tricky bit when your child starts school is that its like you're starting prep too. Remember you are the one who will always look out for Roses best interests and sometimes others need a reminder of what YOU have chosen. Sorry Im babbling but it really gets too me that you have to be put in this situation - its not an easy start for Rose or You.

I have 2 boys in Primary School, in Prep & Grade 1. They both love it and Im very lucky that our local public school is fantastic.

Good Luck :)

[mumof three]

Thanks Tanya,

I've been working with the principal and the teacher and things seem to be improving. Rose is getting more choice, and i am working with her to be more assertive and ask for what she wants, which is helping too. She will also have an opportunity soon to work on and off with another cycle two (6-9 yo) teacher who will most likely have a different approach.

Her teacher is really good at making sure that all her kids learn the curriculum really well - they do heaps of the three Rs and the kids coming out of her class apparently have a really good grounding. Rose is really bright and finds the repetition boring, but no matter how bright you are, you still need to learn this stuff!! One good thing to come out of this is that I think her teacher is starting to realise that Rose is bright, which i don't think she did before. Her biggest strength is reading - In the last 3 days after school she has read 3 x 180 page chapter books to herself! I don't think I did that when I was six :eek: . Her teacher tells me that she's writing a story at school at the moment and said "I think it might be exceptional" - she was was funny about it - like she wasn't sure...:confused:

It's been great to have everyone's feedback on this. Thanks

[lovingmotheract]

ask her if she plays with anyone there at lunch time as i had no friend in school till i got to high school so it's good to as this i hated going every day it's not fun eatting lunch all by your self.:o

[mumof three]

Thank you everyone who helped me on this issue last year. We moved Rose to a different class at the beginning of this year, and now she really LOVES school.:yelclap: :smiliedance:

It has made such a difference. We had to push pretty hard to get her moved, but it was worth it - I can't believe the difference!!

Cheers all!

[Elfin]

Thank you for updating us:) Glad things have worked out so well:)

[punkbaby]

dd is 9 now she has been at this school for 2 years she loves it and she is so confident now too...her last school she used to cry and not want to go
ds loves school/kinder too
i hope i find good ones when we move now

[toni796]

I had this written out already and then my browser froze @$#@#%$&%^& grrrrr.

I had my girls in a private catholic school up untill the beginning of this year. I was not happy with the progress of the school since it got a new principal and then by the end of last year both girls were going backwards in there school work. DD#1 did not have to many friends and most of the girls her age were little B$#ches to her. DD#2 had a lot more friends but was still going backwards in her work. Both girls did not want to change schools.

So at the beginning of this year I put them into a public school. DD#1 now thinks it was the best thing ever changing schools and now hos alot of friends and is also picking up on her school work. DD#2 has taken a little longer to settle in but has now made friends and has also picked up on her school work.

I guess the question to ask is how many kids are there at the school that she gets along with and how well she likes her teacher and the work that is being done. Maybe she will like it better to change classes or just wait until the end of the year when she changes classes.

[Mumof6]

4 of mine are in school, and 'generally' they like it... but sometimes they don't.
I have 1 at an environmental school, 1 at a public and 2 at a catholic... (We would of personality preferred all at the catholic... but that was OUR preference... not what was best for each child)

I feel if you honestly believe that this school is the best for your DD , leave her there... maybe she would hate any school, and many teachers... Some kids just don't like it much.

Just make sure you are picking the school that suits HER the most... not the one you hope suits her the most. Just because you feel she would like the Montessori teaching... maybe it isn't really for her. She might like a more structured traditional environment IYKWIM

IMO, if you feel you have honestly done what is right for her, and feel this school is the most beneficial, they just have to work it out... I feel it is a good learning experience for them in some ways, because they aren't going to like every situation, person or authority figure they come across in life.

[RaryGirl]

My DD isn't really happy at school - she's being bullied (we are working with the teachers/principal to sort this out) - so school isn't her favourite place.

Though when I mention changing schools she's not keen on that idea either. DD is at the local catholic school.

[~Candy~]

My 2 kids (8 and 6) love school. I never have a problem with them getting ready and going in the mornings, and they love doing homework every night too!