school taking away recess as a punishment

[benjimom]

My son has sensory processing disorder. They have been taking away bits of recess and now tomorrow it was written on his report that he will miss one recess tomorrow. I don't think this is a good idea. Do you think I should have his therapist write a letter to the school about it and ask that they find another punishment??  Thanks for any help as usual!!  

The vast majority of problems he has are on the playground. I know it's unstructured. also, he's hanging around another boy who is having a lot of behavioral issues (ie anger issues, etc) and he's copying. I'm not happy about it.  ALso, on those days, he's more out of whack when the babysitter picks him up, etc.  

I just need some ideas. thanks!!

[benjimom]

Yes, they are in the same class and tehy do love playing together. They both seem to have similiar interests.  Some kids just get in trouble when together, but I keep telling my son just b/c so and so gets in trouble, he does not have to follow!!

On Friday, they are going to let them bring some toys outside and see how that goes with the boys together. I told them that maybe they should put up a marker point where the kids cannot go past on the field, esp in the afternoons when people are playing games.  In themorning, people aren't playing games, etc, so that is not an issue.  

Any suggestions on kids and kids who like to follow others...

[Sandman2]

   Yes, it is tough.  Its also really hard to separate kids at school.  Hopefully, the two are not in the same class.  I know when we set up classrooms I always asked teachers if they had any kids that should not be together the following year.  You also might want to invite this other child over sometime just to watch and see how the interaction goes.
  I do like what your childs teacher said.  Hopefully things are still going well with her.  I remember your posts at the start of the year.   I also like what the school is doing.  It sounds like they are taking a measured approach to this  - which means they are thinking and not just reacting.  Best wishes!

[benjimom]

So they are going to seperate the boys today and see what happens. My son is 6.  He is doign better overall.  I just hope this does not go into "all day" problems.  I guess I fear us going backwards.  The teacher said this time of year is harder on kids, the change of weather, etc.  I don't know anymore.

My son is just bad about doing what this other boy does and he follows him and makes bad choices.  Not good.  I just keep talking to him, but it's tough.

[specialmom]

At our school, teachers are required to be out supervising recess with their class.  I've never been on recess duty without a teacher for the class being present.  I had a concern over some recess things and the teacher made it a point of observing my son and intervening.  Maybe I'm spoiled but this does not seem unreasonable to me if a first grader is having issues only at recess.  Especially at the start of the year like this when boundaries are being laid.  I think Sandman has a good idea of not allowing him in that part of the yard as punishment or doing a time out directly after an incident.  Compared to last year, your son is doing so much better!!  The teacher should be made aware of this.  Recess problems vs. all day of issues is a pretty dramatic change in  your child and he (and YOU!!) deserve credit for that.  So work the problem and get him on track but remember how much better he is doing to.  I think that is a great idea to do some exercises at the start of recess to slow his engine down and of course, on your end work on behavior with discussion and ideas.  Talk to your OT as well.  good luck

[Sandman2]

  Crud, I can't believe that I can't remember how old your son is?  It makes a bit of difference as to how this punishment is handled.  If he is between 5 an 7 or 8, to punish the day after an event is not productive.  He does something at recess, its a timeout.  Of course if all of this is happening because some kid complained after recess - then the whole thing is bull.
  Also I think I remember that your son has a 504? or an IEP.  Does that have anything in it about limits during recess time.  If not - it should!
  Based on very limited knowledge, I would think that the best punishment would be for him not to be able to go to that part of the yard.  Of course the other question is what are they going to do with him during the recess?  Most teachers are not going to stay in there room during there only break of the day.  And as a Principal, I always spent my time during recess on the yard with the kids (most fun of the day for me).  Anyway, I would certainly find out what the plan is for him - it might be kind of logical.  Communication is always the priority!  Best wishes.   Hope you get this in time to read.  I was substitute teaching an 8th grade science class all day and kind of got behind in my posts.

[benjimom]

apparently, he said today the went down to where some kids were playing soccer, my son said his friend was pushed down and then he said he started to act like he was kicking, but he wasn't but the teacher said he was kicking. I'm not sure what happened, but boundaries need to be drawn so they do not go down there at all.  It's frustrating....  The recesses are 15 mins. each.

I was thinking maybe if they encouraged him to do some exercises at the beginning of recess.

[specialmom]

So he is getting in trouble due to his behavior during recess?  What is going on that he is threatened with recess taken away.  I guess I had thought that other times of the day he got in trouble and recess was taken away because of that.  Does he have two recesses?  It does not take much structure to keep your eye on a situation.  It is probably a 15 minute recess, right?  Not difficult to give "jobs" to the kids before they go out.  I'd do it with a few kids and alternate who so no one knows why.  And I'd work with your son about his behavior vs. the boys.  Perhaps you can have him name another friend in class and encourage him to spend recess with that child.  Perhaps YOU can offer him what to do at recess.  If you have any time off during the week, volunteer for recess duty and check the whole thing out for yourself.

[benjimom]

My son does well there most of the time and we just had to swtich due to the old babysitter being turned in to Child Protective Services and an investigation going on. This lady has worked with sensory kids before and she is very familiar with them. I actually talked with antoher mom who used to have her watch her kids who has two kids w/sensory.

I have asked for it to be structured more outside.  I will ask again and I will get the Ot's advice as well.  they don't seem to want to structure it much and they say that they have the majority of issues at recess time.

When he has these rough days at school, you can see it in the behavior in the evening hours.  It's really frustrating.

Overallhe's been doing better.  This other child has anger issues and is defiant to authority.  He is adopted and his parents are adjusting his meds now.  

I just wonder if he has a rough time at recess, what alternative punishments can we look at?

[specialmom]

Oh NO NO NO NO> they can NOT take recess away from a sensory seeker!!  That is their opportunity to "get just right" in order to  maintain in class.  It's really important that your son have the opportunity to do some things for his nervous system at recess.

Now, I'm going to say after your last post about it------- I'd search for another babysitter.  There is some kind of dynamic with her (and her children) that has a negative effect on your child.  I know, easier said than done.  But I do think that if he is escalating at all and it is linked to her, it is not worth using her as the sitter.  Even "school aftercare" would be better than that.

As to the playground---------  well, the teacher knows that your son is working on things.  What if the teacher got more involved in direction of what takes place.  Gives your son a "job" during recess along with some other kids----------  swinging for 10 minutes or jumping rope for 5 minutes or setting up a game of tag.  There has to be teacher supervision during recess--------  so they are out there.  They need to give a bit of direction and then you give it to your son as well.  

But yes, if you have to get your therapist involved-------- it is worth it to keep that recess time for his sensory needs.  good luck