Hard time focusing and staying in seat

[bumblebeeskies]

I help raise my friend's 6yo (kindy) daughter. I take complete care of her during the week (days and nights) and she goes to her dad's on weekends. Her report card came on friday and stated, that she has a has time focusing and often gets out of her seat. It further stated that it was fine for now, but may cause her trouble in the months to come as the work gets harder. I was wondering if this is teacher-speak for her needing medication?

[momtokea]

It's hard to know what exactly teacher means without actually speaking with him/her. But I wouldn't make any assumptions, nor would I worry about it. It may become a problem as the work gets harder, or she may just mature and be able to stay in her seat longer. If she still can't sit still then the teacher will need to structure the lessons to accomodate her. It's only kindergarten, and I wouldn't ever consider medication.

Just my 2 cents.

[LynnS6]

Well, this is well within the range of normal for a 6 year old. Does she show these behaviors at home as well as at school?

Can you (or better yet you and her father) talk to the teachers and find out what the expectations are and when she's having trouble?

It would also help think about what kind of learner she is - is she an active learner who needs hands-on things? Is she a social learner who likes to talk to other kids and so is getting out of her seat for those reasons? Is she a visual learner? In that case, getting up would be more unusual.

Also, is the work at her level? Too hard? Too easy? Sometimes 'behavior' issues are really learning issues.

I wouldn't say that I would 'never' medicate, because 'never' is a long time. But, I'd never consider it for a kindergartener who's mostly doing OK.

[bumblebeeskies]

Thanks for the opinions! Parent-Teacher conference was last week, and the teacher didn't mention any behavior problems. This is her 3rd year of school and last year she attended pre-k at this same school. The things she comes home and talks about learning, seem to be really similar to what she learned in pre-k. Her backpack is routinely full of drawings that she's done during the day, so I don't think her work keeps her busy. I actually hate sending her there all day, as there seems to be too much wasted time.