Spacing out in K

[MPJJJ]

My son is in K. My Dh went for the first PT conference, in which the teacher told him that Michael spaces out a lot. She is concerned about his hearing because she often has to call his name or repeat himself several times. She is concerned that he will do things hands on, but when asked a question to figure out in his head, he will get frustrated, act silly, or just guess. She says he is behind in his class. What should I do? Does this sound within the realm of normal kindergarden behaviour?

ETA: He does not have a hearing problem, he has had his hearing tested within the last year and it was normal.

[lauren]

I was wondering what you have observed at home? Is this typical for him and maybe getting exaggerated by the demands of k-garten (more pressure) or does this sound completely unlike your son? It's certainly not too far outside the realm of normal behavior, in my opinion, but a wee bit concerning because he's 'falling behind.' (though the reason I put that in quotes is because it seems the academics of k-garten keep getting more demanding and I'm not sure this is right).

[KermitMissesJim]

Good heavens, you can fall behind in kindergarten? It's kindergarten, right? Socialization, learning through play, easy-going kindergarten? Sorry, I sound dense, but I can't understand the concept of "falling behind" in kindergarten.

[MPJJJ]

Originally Posted by lauren

I was wondering what you have observed at home? Is this typical for him and maybe getting exaggerated by the demands of k-garten (more pressure) or does this sound completely unlike your son? It's certainly not too far outside the realm of normal behavior, in my opinion, but a wee bit concerning because he's 'falling behind.' (though the reason I put that in quotes is because it seems the academics of k-garten keep getting more demanding and I'm not sure this is right).

Honestly this all came as a bit of a suprise to me. Sure, at times he ignores me hoping that I will forget what I want him to do, but then again I clearly remember doing this to my own Mom. I'm only 23, so maybe I am young enough to remember what it was like being his age. I certainly dont think it is enough to be concerned about, though. Apparently she has him seated between 2 "gifted" children. Can one be gifted in kindergarden? This is so new to me, I remember just cutting out shapes and practicing colors and numbers in kindergarden.

[Katana]

You have my sympathy.

I too, have a son in K, and it was a huge shock to me what is expected of him academically. I admit, I did not prepare him for some of what he needed to know, because I had no clue that what I learned in second grade is now introduced in kindergarten.

Is abstract thought a skill a 5/6 year old should have? Whatever happened to duck, duck goose and eating candy? (Can you tell I'm still coming to grips with this 'new' K philosophy? : )

I know, with ds, if he doesn't understand something, or doesn't want to do something, he does tune people or things out. With school, I had to talk to him several times about how he needs to at least listen, and then, if he doesn't understand, to ask questions until he does understand.

So, he asks about fifty questions a day, and now he's doing 'fine' academically. But those first four weeks were something else. :

I say, your son is normal. The expectations put on him may not be. And that is not your or his fault.

[CarrieMF]

Is it possible your son is having mild seizures and he is spacing out because of them. When my neighbors dd has seizures she gets extremely tired after and is easily frustrated when asked to do something.

[indie]

When I was in second grade I spaced off all of the time and it made my teacher crazy. My reasons for doing so was mainly that I was bored. For some strange reason even though I was in the high reading group in 1st grade they put me in the lowest group for 2nd grade. Most of the work we got was filling out papers which was so boring. The way I figured out to get my work done was to pretend that I was a secretary filling out paperwork.

Since you said that your son does physical work, it is possible that he is a predominately kinestetic (sp?) learner and the way the teacher uses is not working well for him. If he has trouble figuring things out in his head maybe an alternative could be given. For example, if he can't figure out one plus one in his head see if he can figure it out when given objects to do the problem with.

[Jaimep]

Seizures..

I was also going to suggest this possibility. When I was in 5-6th grade, my teacher always accused me of spacing out, she would have to call my name several times, etc...
We found out I was having "petty mal" seizures. Where the seizure itself would only last a few minutes, so it appears the person is "spacing out".
I don't want to scare you, as the seizures themselves are harmless. We only found out about my seizures because they progressed and I had a Grand Mal in front of my parents. That is the seizures most people think of, with the thrashing, flailing, eyes rolling back in your head and such.
I had Childhood epilepsy, it was unexplained, I was on meds for 3 years and now I don't take meds and don't have seizures. Apparently I outgrew them. Now my youngest brother is having them and is on meds. Hopefully he will outgrow them as well.

Oh and I didn't realize myself that I was having the small seizures.

[Ms. Frizzle]

I was told the same thing when my son was in JK. He acted totally different than he does at home. She was also worried about him.
I didn't take it to heart, cause I knew he was still adjusting to being away from home.
By the time he got to grade one, he was his jolly self in class as is he is at home.