My sweet, innocent, amazing daughter has gotten into "trouble" at least once a week since the start of school. They have a discipline system based on Green (good), Yellow (a couple of warnings), and Red (multiple warnings and they get a recess taken away). At first, she came home with greens for a couple of days and then she came home with a dreaded red. She shoved and pushed and threw sand. On top of that she disobeyed the teacher when she was asked to sit at the wall.
The teacher called me that night. Oh, what a joy, to speak to a teacher on the third day of school about disciplining my child.
"I'm a stay-at-home mother. Annie's an only child . . . Yes, she does play with other kids, but there are none that live with us . . . she went to preschool, but it was only for a couple of hours, three times a week . . . this long day of kindergarten is a HUGE thing to her . . . no, she doesn't usually act like this at home, but I've known her for a little longer than you have. . ."
We had an intervention with Annie. "No more pushing or shoving, there are other ways to solve problems." "You will get in trouble at home if you get on yellow or red at school." "We want you to be a good girl at school, and good girls say 'yes ma'am' when their teacher asks them to do something." She was a little distraught when we told her all these things. We told her we loved her, even if she got on yellow or red. We told her we would always love her, which is thankfully the truth. We told her that no matter what color day she had, she'll always start on green in the morning. We read about Lilly and her purple plastic purse and say "Tomorrow will be a better day." I think she means it every time.
She's been sorry every time she's gotten on yellow. I think she's learned a new boundary every time, too - which means she's learning what she needs to learn from this experience. No matter what people think about half-day kindergarten, this full-day stuff is terribly stressful on the little people whose mother's decided to stay home with them.
She'll get it. So will we.
We have a new tactic this week. We're hoping it works. If she gets on green all week, we're going to Peter Piper Pizza (which, for those in California, is Chuck E. Cheese without the scary mouse.) Positive reinforcement.
Let's cross our fingers and toes that we go this week!
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2 comments:
OK so i've had both the GREAT child (which honestly only ment he was shy and quiet) and the child who we had to bribe for a week of greens.. this too shall pass.. I did LOVE all day kinder but now having had both there is something to be said to the half day KayLea's transition was much smoother.. good luck to ya, and DONT take it as an attack on your parenting (been there done that!) we are starting our first FULL day today it will be interesting to see how this all comes out in the wash!
luv and hugs
This is the agonizing part - the adjustment. There are other agonies to come, but you'll tackle them as they happen. This one takes time and love and you have both of those on your side. Annie's going to be great.
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