5 Year Old Boy Acting Out in Class

If it's only once in a while, I would just talk to him, but discipline him in a gentle way. If he did it again, then I would get firmer taking away privledges--a bedtime snack, the t.v for the night or something that you know will make him think before repeating the bad behaviour. Punsihment doesn't have to be loud and mean. It can be gentle, but firm. I explain to my five year old and I don't yell, but I still discipline. Daddy is a pushover. Errrr...LOL. My little one will listen to me and respects me, though!

If the behavior continues, I would seek help. I would perhaps talk to other parents in the class or even stop in and observe, if possible, without the teacher knowing you are there. You want to make sure your child is not getting picked on by another child, the teacher or an aid.

It is normal for kids to misbehave or have a bad day here and there, though! I would address it, but not worry if it's only an occassional incident!

It sounds like your five year old made a very good choice that day. He wasn't in the mood to work with other children, so he found an appropriate alternative. He should be praised and you congratulated, and the teacher has no reason to complain. Reference standing on his seat, he's five!

There may be a deeper issue going on: His teacher may be too controlling.

Relax, this little boy is doing great!

He may be bored in class and maybe a little jealous because you are expecting another.....ask the teacher if he completes his work well and quickly....he may need to do alittle more work....or he is just trying to get alittle attention.

How long has this been going on? I noticed on the bottom at teh alittle about me that you were 4 months pregnant. Does he know? and has the behavior been happening since then? If so it could be his way of trying to deal with your pregnancy. Kids are scared of the unknown. If this is the case. You might need to reassure him that just becuase you are having another baby doesnt mean your not going to be there for him. You might need to make special time or a routine for him now and as hard as it is carry it over to when the baby is born. Kids are alot smarter than we usually gve them credit for and maybe if you havent told him yet he has heard you and your husband talk about it. If thats the case then maybe you both need to sit down and talk to him about and make sure he knows that the love you guys have for him wont change with the new baby. Get dad involved and maybe have him create a special boys night only routine with him. That way you can have a break while still being pregnant and he gets special attention, you could also have a mommy and son night so that he gets indivual attention from both of you. Good luck! Let me know how it turns out!

I know where you are coming from. My son is 6yrs old and when he was in kindergarten he was alot like you son. He did not want to do his class work, he would not sit in his seat and he refused to color. Not too many kids do not like to color. My son has grown up so much between kindergarten and 1st grade it almost seems like I have a different child. Now he loves to read and is a good student. The coloring has gotten some what better but atleast he does do it now. Some boys take a little time to mature. I would ask the teacher to send any work home that he did not finish in class to do at home. Talk to your son about his actions in class. I also used a behavoir chart at home for him to be awarded prizes if he did his work at school for a certin amount of day. I gave the teacher some award cards to give to my son at the end of the day to give to me so I knew how he was. If he did not bring anything home I knew he did not do what he was to do in school. It made him feel good when he brough home a smily face stating he was good. Anything to make him feel proud of himself.

Have you asked him what it would take for him to want to participate? Is there something his teacher could be doing to make him interested in the activity? What does he suggest?

I mean, not wanting to participate and making a different decision... honestly, it's only a problem in the public school system where young children are expected to behave like what I call Sheeple (sheep/people). Sounds to me like you have a young man who knows his own mind and is probably very bored with the teacher's lessons. Ask for his input before doing anything else. If you don't teach him a new way to deal with his boredom, the problems will only increase.