Could your 7 year old do this? - Page 2

[mamalisa]

I'd just send in a note to give her a heads up "ds is having a problem with someone in class, could you please speak to him about it". That way she has an idea of what's going on and can bring it up to him.

[LynnS6]

*update*

I sent her an e-mail saying that ds wanted to talk to her about his math partner, and she and he talked. I'm pretty sure she brought it up, but he was at least able to talk to her about it. I really just wanted HIM to tell her as a very small way of getting him to articulate his needs.

His teacher was a bit surprised, especially since she said his partner is usually good at working with other kids.

I'm going in next week to talk to his teacher and the counselor about ds' tendency to attract bullies and we'll see what happens.

[griffin2004]

Maybe he was less afraid of talking to the teacher about it than he was the possibility of increased nastiness from Kevin as a result.

[TiredX2]

In 2nd grade with either of my kids, we (DP or I) would have requested an appointment with the teacher and then been there to facilitate the conversation for a major issue. We went in several times with DD from 2nd-3rd grade to be there while she talked to the teacher. That way she had support and we could make sure she said everything she meant to say. This year DS is in 2nd grade and he reports small issues with no problem, but we will go in a few minutes before or after school so he can talk to his teacher without other kids being present. For a minor issue we would expect the child to bring it up themself.

When DD was nine she felt a homework assignment due date was unfair. She was able to bring it up in class and make a good enough arguement in front of the class that the teacher changed it. At 7 we had an appointment with the teacher where she told her she considered parents having to "okay" homework assignments was demeaning. The teacher had never heard that one before and happily had us NOT sign stuff that came home as long as DD kept up her side of the bargain.

[runnerbrit]

Yes, my boys both could and did do this at 7. We practiced what they would say first so that they would feel comfortable. I agree with you that it is important that your child is able to advocate for what they want.