what should i do??

[tytanium]

i have a five year old son. he is a very bright boy. he is learning how to read, can write his abc's captial and lower case, can write his name, tie his shoes, etc. he is in his second year of pre-k because he missed the cut-off. lately he had been acting out and normally he is very good about knowing the difference between right and wrong. what he has been doing consist of, putting a girl in his clas in a "jaguar" hold aka a choke hold, hitting other children(but he tells me that he was just playing power rangers, so we have limited how much he watches that now), pushed a child off the jungle gym, when i tell him to stop jumping he listens for a moment and then starts doing it again, he colored on his pants and then he colored on his dvd player in his room. i just do not know what to do. i really believe he is bored but i just simply do not know what to do to keep him and his mind busy, more than i already have. the pre-k school is no help at all and everyday he is in trouble for something. they pretty much treat him as a teachers aid because he already knows all of what they are teaching. is he just being five or is there something more that i am just not getting? i am very proud of my son!! lately i feel very disappointed in my son because of his actions and would like suggestions. he is my one and only child and i am a young mother but i believe i have done an awesome job with him....just hoping i havent made a mistake.

[specialmom]

Oh, and yes, I think a healthy little snack helps behavior.  In the school system, some kids have written into their IEP's that they are to have a small snack break at some  point in the day.  

Use of food items in occupational therapy is actually quite common.  Chewy and crunchy things are used for a desired effect on the nervous system. It is really fascinating.  

And anecdotaly, I do much better with a snack break and protein is most satisfying.  (smile)  

[specialmom]

It sounds like you are certainly trying with your boy.  I think it is great the academic strides that he is making.  I think one thing that really helps is consistency.  Keeping rules very firm and never waivering from them.  Also, following through is helpful.  If you threaten something, such as if you shout, we will leave.  Then he shouts----  you must immediately leave. That kind of thing.  Then he knows you mean what he says.  I'm also big on natural consequences.  If you throw something, it is taken away for a time.  There is a book called "sos for parents" by Lynn Clarke which really helps with the time out technique.  You may be able to find it at the library.

I think little boys possess lots of energy.  They need physical outlets for such.  Try to work into his day many breaks for this.  You can play physical games with him, set up an obstacle course, run races, crash into pillows, etc.  He may get a little revved up during the activity but it has a calming effect afterwards.

As far as impulsive behavior.  Well, 5 year olds are working on this.  I talk to my kids about that we all have an on button that is pressed all the time.  But we also have an off button that we need to remind ourselves to press.  Getting a pause between impulse and action is good so whatever means you can do this is helpful.  It comes more naturally starting at the age of 6.  

Good luck and always be cooperative with school people as it makes for a team approach for handling any issues.  

[cdnskmom]

Food makes a big difference in my kids behaviour. Mainly Omega 3 (Udo's Oil) in a smoothie every morning, and a little protein every few hours, even just a couple of small bites of meat, a few nuts or a boiled egg. They argue less, are calmer, cope better, and more cheerful when I do this.

Especially if behaviour seems to be always at certain times of day, I would make sure they have that little bit of protein a half hour or so before it would usually happen. I clued into this when an adult friend of mine told me that he had noticed that he feels 'squirrly' if he doesn't eat a little protein every few hours, and sure enough, it worked for my kids too.

Hope these small ideas help you too, they are pretty easy.