Urgent help needed - 5 year old hates kindergarten

[spasquino]

My daughter just started kindergarten three weeks ago. She has been to daycare and pre-school before and I never heard of her having behavior problems.  She received a "yellow" stick the first week of school.  Two weeks into school and the teacher basically e-mailed me last week that she is a disruptive force in the class and she describes her as a very "young".  What does "young" mean?  She has problems following directions, and does at home sometimes.  She talks to other kids in line and the teacher says she "is not afraid to tell me she does not like what we are learning and will shout out answers to defy me and make other children feel bad".  I did not think this was such odd behavior for a young one getting adapted to a more structured environment, but I get the picture she is a troublemaker and all the other kids are perfect angels.  She can write his name, count to 30, knows and knows her alphabet.  What is your professional opinion as to what I may do or questions I need to ask at our conference with the principal tomorrow? I have suggested to her that her method of disciplining may not work with my child (the stick system) and the teacher replied to me that "her discipline system will stand and my child may spend her recesses in the office".  My child is not perfect but I don't believe she is the only one causing all these problems.

[messyjessyann]

My son is going through a similar situation. He was sent to the principals office on the 3rd day of school for "stomping his feet in the hallway" (what????)  and several times since for various reasons.. Of course now he hates school because he feels like he's  a "bad kid" (his words, not mine). I am working directly with his teachers AND the principal by phone and email to resolve  the issues...  Kindergarten is a BIG transition and trust me, your child is NOT the only one acting out.  My sons principal has been very helpful! Hopfully yours wil be too..

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Try not to take the teacher's comments personally, or as an effort to single out your daughter. Your daughter may need a bit more limit setting; it's worth considering. I would suggest adopting an interested, curious approach when you meet with the school personnel. See what they have to say and ask their opinion about how they think things should be handled. My guess is that the teacher regards your daughter as a bit immature, but it's important to remeber that she is only five and it's reasonable to expect a bit of time to settle into this new routine.

[Vabonk]

I am going through the exact same thing with my 5yr son.