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Post by Chester on Sept 5, 2006 11:55:46 GMT -5
This totally bugs me and I'm trying to figure out how much I should push it. JT has his first IEP meeting in this school district soon.
JT goes to preschool for three hours a day, four days a week. During his three hours they go outside to the playground and also eat lunch. The teachers and the aides sit on a bench and chat during recess time. They also sit together at the lunch table and chat.
It frustrates me that they aren't using playground time to interact with the kids. Kids learn the most while they are playing. They could be working on language, physical, social, etc, etc. Same for lunch time.
I've noticed that this isn't just JT's teachers, it is a school wide attitude. We've got a new principal and I'm toying around asking her about it, because I think it makes her staff look so unprofessional!
I am more concerned for JT and others with IEP's. One of our past goals at the other school was for JT to use utensils correctly while eating. I pick him up early on Thursdays, JT was sitting on one end of the lunch room table and the adults on the other. JT's fork was on the floor and he was happily using his fingers. Grrrrrr!
Okay, I'm ranting. I want more than babysitting! Am I expecting too much?!
Dawn
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Post by ValerieC on Sept 5, 2006 13:16:27 GMT -5
The fork thing would have made me upset as well. It was in his IEP, it should have been worked on. However, teachers and aides chatting during recess, as long as their eyes on the children, I don't really see a problem with it. It is PLAY time and a child doesn't nor should they have an adult on TOP of them at ALL times.
Are you on top of JT at all times at home. Does he ever get down time to be just a kid?
Just a thought...
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Post by Chester on Sept 5, 2006 14:28:35 GMT -5
You see Valerie that's why I haven't said anything at school yet. I was a teacher, and wouldn't have dreamt of sitting and chatting while being paid! I think there is a way to be standing out by the equipment and chatting with the 3 and 4 year olds, pushing the little ones on swings and counting, reminding kids not to crawl up the slide because of safety, etc.
JT does get down time at home, that's why I don't think he needs it at school from paid professionals. It's playtime for the kids, not for the teachers. There were twin brothers playing "Freddie Krueger" on the playground yesterday. My 11 year old doesn't know who Freddie is. I do think it is the teachers job to redirect the boys.
Thanks for your thoughts Valerie.
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Post by ValerieC on Sept 5, 2006 18:05:15 GMT -5
Dawn,
I see your point there. I, too, am a teacher, though retired since having children. I was one of those teachers who listened to playground conversation, corrected, but allowed them to play. I maybe would have chatted with a teacher as we passed on the playground, but not sit and chat. I see your point there.
However, I fought this with the school I worked in this past year as a long term sub. I would walk and whomever I was on duty with would often stop me and want to chat. I really believe it's the era in which we live. Stinks! But it is what it is. If you feel you need to say something then maybe you should. It might make you feel better, but I don't see the district changing it. Is this a battle you really want to fight?
The "Freddie" thing would have irritated me immensely as well.
BTW, I reread my previous post and it sounded rather well, not nice. My heart and intention was not that, and though it didn't seem like you took it as being rude, I needed to apologize for the sound of it anyway. So please forgive me for the unintentional rude sounding post I left for you. I truly am sorry.
Valerie C
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Post by Chester on Sept 5, 2006 23:57:57 GMT -5
You are just fine Valerie! No need to worry. I appreciate your thoughts.
I'm still not sure how much I'll bring up....maybe this first time in a round about way when I ask how they plan on meeting his IEP goals.
Sigh. I know, I know schools don't change easily or quickly.
Dawn
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Post by momofrussell on Sept 7, 2006 8:15:37 GMT -5
Maybe the way to incorperate "interaction" is to get GOALS in place in the IEP!  THAT is how I'd do it... passive aggressive approach LMAO! AND.. I am having a BIG prob if he has a FORK/EATING goal and they are NOT doing the goal at eating time. doing the goal say in classtime is a mute point if you ask me.. that goal either needs to be more specific to times/eating or they need to kick it into gear because they are out of compliance then.. no excuse. As far as the playground stuff. I can only speak for Russell. His whole class has spec needs to the teachers and aides ALL interact and play with them.. no other way around it. Sitting around wouldn't happen. In PE Russell gets APE so he also has someone to help him. IF, he was in an inclusion setting instead, and he could handle playing with his peers with no help, I'd think if they had a good watchful eye on him, I'd be ok. But.. from your post I am not getting they are truly "watching" them. And yes... it would bug me too... I always picked preschools where they interacted with my kids more... that's just me though. A. |
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Post by steffipoo on Sept 7, 2006 10:25:05 GMT -5
HI!!!! I wholeheartedly agree with you. The kids should be learning to eat appropriately and Jt should have good models sitting around him to well model after for lack of a better word. LOL... Also when Liv was in preschool the teachers always played with the kids during recess. Actually not always play but they would start up an area and get em started. For example, one teacher may have been by the boom box and area where they could dance like crazy and sing like mad. Generally they would have typical preschool songs that have movements with em. The kids loved em. Then a teacher may have an art area set up under umbrella tables. One may be showing the kids how to throw discs into their same colored baskets. So many different things and the teachers I believe ate lunch at different times they did talk but generally it wasn't so they weren't paying attention. They usually talked about what a kid was doing etc. Your child should perhaps have a peer model that he likes a lot. If it were me I would be there doing the hokey pokey with the kids at recess. Kinda modeling for the teachers LOL. I am a PITA(don't ask lol) I was more and still am someone who will show by example and hope they get the jist. Find out when the director is gonna be there then come and do it. LOL Give em some ideas. Good luck Steff
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Post by Chester on Sept 7, 2006 15:02:15 GMT -5
JT is in the public school preschool. I (for some reason) am more comfortable with him there in a not so great private. I do have him on a waiting list for an AWESOME preschool, that filled last March. Rats, that is one of the tough things about moving, starting from square one again. Both of my older kids went to the University of Wisconsin Lab school, it's the preschool on campus.........where they teach/train teachers, counselors, etc, etc, SO INCREDBILE! The waiting list for that preschool was literally years.
I think I will just wing it at the upcoming IEP meeting, I can throw in a few passive/aggressive slugs if I've got to ; )
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Post by momofrussell on Sept 7, 2006 15:27:48 GMT -5
Hey Chester... have you looked into a Head Start program? they have wonderful Head Start programs all over and with a child w/spec needs... income is not a requirement. They have to alow so many spec ed spots where income is not a factor. I know a few that have used the Head Start program and loved it!
Goodl luck at the IEP... I'd write down some things you'd like to see JT do, tailor some goals, clarify things, ect... keeps you in the "team" loop and lets them keep being held accountable!
A.
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Post by ALLISA on Sept 7, 2006 21:39:21 GMT -5
Dawn, too bad we are not at the same school....'cause man ...that is a huge peev of mine !!
We could rally together for the kids sake !
When Erin was in preschool there were a couple of teahcers who were ALWAYS gabby. I can't even be polite and say "chatty" they'd be having full converstaions with each other durnign the kids "choice time"...but mind you.....these are preschoolers some of whom need physical attention to stand, walk, etc.....
They'd bring in thier Coffees and just have a ball.....the kids seemed to be an afterthought....it is a tough battle......one that you need to decide about...becaause there really isn't a tactful way to say " please stop socailaing and come help the child you are being paid to do so " ! LOL
Valeire, I do think that SOME children need one-on-one attention 24/7.....they need that aide to help with eating skills, and playground skills.....Erin absolutely needs it...we joke and say that Erin actually needs 2 on one !! Without it, Erin may hit, pull hair, or eat mulch. Even when she is doing GREAT ( no bad behaviors)....she still needs direction to try new things or she'd do the sme thing over and over and over and over and over and over again.....not kidding....she'd climb the monkey bars, hang, drop, chanting something the whole time and REPEAT...REPEAT...no variance, chanting is the same....she needs someone to TALK to her, clap for her, ask her if she wants help, is she having fun...etc.....
She is very physical....so I feel like that is PRIME TIME to work on speech/communication becsause she is engaged in an acitivity she LOVES and wants to commnunicate. If teachers are chatting and Erin is her own "zone" ....all those opportunites are missed and that upsets me !!
My guess is yes, you'd have to re-word his IEP to set SPECIFIC goals....and then that would shift the focus back to the child where it belongs.
In the meantime, if you find a tactful way to request more attention and less talking.....tell me !!!
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Post by Kristin on Sept 8, 2006 23:24:51 GMT -5
I agree that for your child it can be addressed in the IEP. If it's in there at least you have a non-compliance issue if they don't follow it. Social skills are appropriate. I'd also have a chat with the principal. The principal can do a lot to influence the philosophy of a school. The focus of school should be the children at all times! Social skills on the playground and in the cafeteria should be practice by all kids at all times. For many children, school is the only time they eat with a group of people! Good luck! I hope you have a principal with a listening ear, who also is willing to take action!
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Post by Chester on Sept 9, 2006 20:34:10 GMT -5
I think I'll play around with some IEP goals and let you guys take a look at them. You guys will be able to tell me if it addresses the whole issue.
Dawn
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Post by victoriasdad on Jul 28, 2007 15:45:57 GMT -5
so..... when the children are eating there lunch and u have the teachers helping them .... ect......... when do the teachers get to eat lunch........ or are they automations and they go in the closet after school is over each day? |
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Post by Chris too on Jul 29, 2007 15:06:52 GMT -5
I help my daughter, Stevie, with her self-feeding goals every day WHILE I'm eating my own meal. I'm sure that the teachers can eat their own lunch while helping JT with his. It isn't as if they are being asked to feed him - even if they were, they can still eat while they do that - parents do it all the time.
Chris, too
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Post by Chester on Aug 1, 2007 12:18:52 GMT -5
The teachers and aides had their lunch and break times too. They didn't have to eat with the students. Because it was pre-school they had more adults that were suppose to be helping, supervising etc.
The older grade levels just have one teacher to watch the whole grade, they switch off so one person wasn't stuck in the lunch room, but even the person in the lunch room got their lunch break.
Dawn
Dawn
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THAT is how I'd do it... passive aggressive approach LMAO! AND.. I am having a BIG prob if he has a FORK/EATING goal and they are NOT doing the goal at eating time. doing the goal say in classtime is a mute point if you ask me.. that goal either needs to be more specific to times/eating or they need to kick it into gear because they are out of compliance then.. no excuse.
