Navigation

Welcome Guest
( Log In | Register )


> 

Is your child starting school? Find information and articles on the first year of school at Essential Kids: www.essentialkids.com.au/younger-kids/starting-school

 
Reply to this topicStart new topic

> Does your Kindergarten child have trouble concentrating after lunch

V
overthehill
post 22/02/2013, 05:28 PM
Post #1
**   Posts: 233   Joined: 25-March 12     
Member
Hi
DS started kindergarten 3weeks ago and as well as having a few sensory issues the teachers have said that after lunch he pretty much switches off and doesn't concentrate.
He still has the occasional day sleep in the car on weekends so I know he must be tired, but the teachers say this is not 'normal' behaviour for kindy kids which surprised me as I thought some kids would need a bit of an adjustment period.
So I'm just interested if this does happen at the beginning of the 1st term in your kids class and if it how did the school deal with it?
Thanks
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
baddmammajamma
post 22/02/2013, 05:48 PM
Post #2
******   Posts: 13,678   Joined: 10-February 08     
++
Hi there:

I remember your post from last week re the sensory concerns.

It could well be that your poor little guy is just EXHAUSTED if he is dealing with sensory overload and possibly some anxiety (I know you mentioned he had been battled anxiety in the past). When my daughter was in kindergarten/FYOS, she found all of the sensory input to be draining for all those hours.

Teachers *do* see a lot of children and often can have a very informed view on what constitutes "normal" settling in.

(The cynical interpretation would be that your son's teachers have pegged him as "the kid with issues," and they want to push you to seek a diagnosis of some sort -- unfortunately, that does happen from time to time).
'
As I mentioned in my earlier reply to you, I definitely think you should forge ahead with the sensory assessment with an OT but also still consider consulting a developmental paed, esp. given that your son has had some other challenges in the past. That way, you will truly learn whether there is SOMETHING going on (or not) and you can let the school know that you've taken their concerns on board & have had things properly checked out.

If I were you, I would sit down with the teachers and say, "We are looking into any potential issues that might be driving Johnny's sensory sensitivities and apparent lack of concentration & energy after lunch, but since we won't have those answers right away, I'd like to get your input on what sorts of strategies can be used in the immediate term to help Johnny settle in better." Something like that. You want to signal to them "I am taking your concerns seriously, but I also need your guidance and support in helping my child succeed. Let's collaborate." original.gif

Good luck! Hope things settle down soon.

This post has been edited by baddmammajamma: 22/02/2013, 05:54 PM
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
overthehill
post 22/02/2013, 07:14 PM
Post #3
**   Posts: 233   Joined: 25-March 12     
Member
Hi BMJ,
We have the OT assessment next Friday so hopefully things will be a lot clearer soon.
I definitely feel they have him down as the problem child so quickly, that is why I wondered if this was quite common at kindergarten for kids to zone out in the afternoon because they really make me feel that he is the only one causing any disruption but surely not all 90 kids can sit still and listen already! After the assessment I will go back to them and ask, like you said, what strategies they can implement in the meantime.
Thanks
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Brattacino
post 23/02/2013, 01:25 PM
Post #4
**   Posts: 206   Joined: 29-February 12     
Member
If he's getting tired it might be also worth getting him checked out physically to make sure there's nothing wrong there either. Something as simple as eye strain could be causing it. I am only saying the because after 3 years worth of school we've discovered the problem with behaviour (refusing to do work, difficulty focusing on tasks on the board or written tasks) and tiredness and what we thought was unresolved torticollis is actually due to eye muscle issues. Poor thing has been seeing double all this time. It wasn't picked up because you could never tell- he does so well academically otherwise and was actually on the highest reading level in his class etc. so you'd never guess he was struggling to read or copy off the board or subtle things like him covering one eye to see his work properly. Instead teachers had labelled him as "lazy" or "difficult to engage" as he'd try his best to get out of the most frustrating tasks or sometimes not even try very much at all.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
lilwonder
post 23/02/2013, 03:11 PM
Post #5
**   Posts: 140   Joined: 19-December 07     
Member
I can see you are looking into some other issues with your son as well, but as for your question in general I would say that many kids in my experience are like that - and not always just in the first year or so! Not sure how old he is but I know my 4.5 year old gets a bit silly and over it after lunch and as a teacher even Year3/4 kids do their best/most concentrated work in the morning, there is a reason why teacher's usually plan less mentally taxing stuff after lunch!
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
Julie3Girls
post 24/02/2013, 02:34 PM
Post #6
******   Posts: 13,090   Joined: 9-May 03   From: Newcastle, NSW, Australia  
Julie
This is the reason our school structures their school day the way they do ...2 hrs solid learning in morning, with crunch and sip in there. Most of literacy and maths gets done. Then lunch, to give the kids a brain boost with food, and plenty of time to run and play. Ready for another solid 1.5 learning session. Recess then another hour or so in the afternoon which is much more relaxed, usually craft etc

So I think, just starting first year of school, only a couple of weeks in, it's normal for them to be tired. I know one little kinder who is falling asleep in t he afternoon after school most days, she is just tired.

That said, I'd imagine an experienced teacher would be able to pick when it more than the usual, so I would be having a chat with her about it.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post
overthehill
post 27/02/2013, 09:37 PM
Post #7
**   Posts: 233   Joined: 25-March 12     
Member
Thanks for these replies. I went to the initial OT appointment and she said perhaps DS has some core strength issues and also as she thinks he has sensory defensiveness the sensory overload could cause him to be exhausted. She is meeting him Friday to assess him.
I think what's bothering me is that the teachers aren't positive or constructive about his behaviour so far, their attitude is that he is the disruptive child. I feel there are reasons for this that we need to look into. However the teacher has told me he is defiant. I feel like they are judging him prematurely so the OT assessment will hopefully give us something to work on.
Go to the top of the page
 
+Quote Post

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

 

Download now: Essential Kids Activity Finder app

Got bored kids? Quickly find the best activities for kids wherever you are in Australia with the Essential Kids app.

Helping families keep up-to-date

We know you're busy. That's why we've made it easier to connect with us online.

Video: Convos with my 2-year-old

It?s a simple premise: a dad re-enacts the conversations he has with his two year old daughter ? but the daughter is played by a grown man. And the results are very, very funny.

ISOFIX child seats finally approved for Aussie families

At last, a new Standards Australia revision now allows for ISOFIX child restraints.

Warning on NSW mumps outbreak

NSW Health has warned of a current outbreak of mumps across the state, urging members of the public to check their vaccination status.

Shower tragedy shows need for postnatal help

The tragic case of two young boys who died while their mother was only metres away has highlighted the need for ongoing awareness of postnatal depression.

Family cycling: options for carrying kids on bikes

Whether your child is on a special seat on your bike, is sitting in an attached trailer, or is 'helping to pedal' on a half bike, there are lots of options to keep everyone comfortable and safe while cycling as a family.

Why the Mirena IUD wasn?t right for me

For many, the Mirena IUD is a brilliant contraceptive option. For me, however, it was a dreadful mistake ? and I've since learnt I'm not alone.

The babies who sleep in boxes

In 1938, the Finnish government began giving parents-to-be packages to help them care for their babies, supplying them with clothes, nappies, and a box that could be used as the child?s bed. Today, the tradition is still going strong.

The ultrasound you can touch

In parents? ever-increasing search for the perfect memento of their pregnancy comes an ultrasound you can touch.

Losing (then refinding) my 'me'

Somewhere along the journey, someone removed my ?me? identity and replaced it with ?mum?. Here's what I've learnt about finding my 'me' again.

The Kate Winslet double standard

Gossip sites went into meltdown over news of Kate Winslet's pregnancy to her third husband. Amy Gray looks at why people judged her so harshly while so many others go unscathed.

It's time to pay our foster carers properly

Why do the ordinary people who go to extraordinary lengths to help give children a better life often end up out of pocket?

Lisa Curry trying for a baby at 51

Lisa Curry may be 51 years old, but she?s not letting that get in the way of trying for a baby.

Free: 'The First Year' ebook

Check out our new interactive ebook, part of the brand new SMH Shortbooks series, for free!

 
Advertisement
 
Advertisement
 
 
 

Competitions

Win a Safety 1st Custodian Plus car seat and travel pack

You can win a Safety 1st car seat featuring Air Protect side-impact technology and a travel pack, valued at $290.

Win a Cosmopolitan pram from Mountain Buggy

You could win the stylish 4WD Cosmopolitan pram from Mountain Buggy, valued at $799.

Jay Laga'aia 'Ten in the Bed' giveaway

You could win one of 10 copies of the album Ten in the Bed by Jay Laga'aia.

Win a Babyography voucher!

You could win 1 of 4 $50 vouchers to spend at babyography.net.au.

 

It's party time!

Planning the perfect party?

Find everything you need to plan your next kids party. Essential Kids has ideas for kids party themes, free printable invites, cake ideas and tips for party games.

Featured Promotions
 
 
Advertisement
 
 
RSS Lo-Fi Version
Skin by IPB Customize
Time is now: 20/06/2013

 
Essential Baby and Essential Kids is the place to find parenting information and parenting support relating to conception, pregnancy, birth, babies, toddlers, kids, maternity, family budgeting, family travel, nutrition and wellbeing, family entertainment, kids entertainment, tips for the family home, child-friendly recipes and parenting. Try our pregnancy due date calculator to determine your due date, or our ovulation calculator to predict ovulation and your fertile period. Our pregnancy week by week guide shows your baby's stages of development. Access our very active mum's discussion groups in the Essential Baby forums or the Essential Kids forums to talk to mums about conception, pregnancy, birth, babies, toddlers, kids and parenting lifestyle. Essential Baby also offers a baby names database of more than 22,000 baby names, popular baby names, boys' names, girls' names and baby names advice in our baby names forum. Essential Kids features a range of free printable worksheets for kids from preschool years through to primary school years. For the latest baby clothes, maternity clothes, maternity accessories, toddler products, kids toys and kids clothing, breastfeeding and other parenting resources, check out Essential Baby and Essential Kids.