Advice needed
I am a lead pre-k teacher (first year- last year I was in Kinder). This pre-K is at a private daycare facility.
The student I’m having an issue with has exhibited multiple PA and PD. When he gets upset, he spirals out of control and begins to throw things in the room, kick the walls, scream, and elope from the classroom. On occasion, he will hit and kick us (me and my TA).
We have tried a few different strategies including a reward system, smilies on a paper after every part of the day, being firm, and being gentle. PER MOM (who works as a Pre-K TA in the classroom across the hall) she says “don’t let him get away with anything- if he takes an inch, he’ll take a mile. You have to be very firm with him and take him by the arm, make him pick stuff up, hold him down if you need to. I DONT feel comfortable doing ANYTHING physical. Coming from the public system- that was a guaranteed way to get fired. Besides, if state were to show up, it’s her word against mine. I worked too hard for my teaching cert. to lose it over a he said she said situation. Admin has said to call them every time (but we all know how that goes).
Today, he got particularly bad at circle time/story time and got up to play. We told him it wasn’t time to play- he needed to come join us (he mocks us when he’s doing something he’s not supposed to). He told us no- we got firm with him and he proceeded to do all the above behaviors. My room was DESTROYED. He’s disrespectful and disruptive. The only triggers I’m noticing is anytime we have academic time. Otherwise, he’s fine. He plays well and he does great outside and in centers. It’s just during circle/story and journals.
Mom came to talk to us after work and ended up storming out of my room after I told her we were already trying everything she has suggested. She claims he was never this bad before in the other daycare classes and she doesn’t believe we are doing all that we say. Mind you, he’s used to playing all day. I cannot have both me and my TA giving him 100% 1-on-1 attention during instruction time while the other 19 kids suffer!!
I was hoping we (all four of us) would adjust, but this is creating stress and strained working relationships. I need help and advice. We are on our third week and I’m already fed up and overwhelmed.
Oh, and he can’t be serviced because he’s out of county and mom can’t seem to find/follow through with therapy on her end. He is not diagnosed with anything.
Help! Anyone go through anything similar and found a tried and true method?? I need something to stick without being mean and physical!!