[xxsurroundedbyxy]

Originally Posted by kakuehl

Dear xxsurroundedbyxy,

It seems to me there are a couple issues here. As I understand the story, part (a big part) of the problem was the teacher's attitude. It was a bit of "the best defense is a good offense," except that she came across as very defensive. Not "this is my plan for discipline" but... "This is how it is, and don't think you're going to complain about what I do." It set up an adversarial relationship with the parents rather than an expectation that "we're on the same team."

The second objection that I heard in the original post was the appropriateness of the length of the punishment for the age of the children.

I taught for many years, beginning 35 years ago. In that time many things have changed including how one can discipline. That is both good and bad. The problem that I frequently ran into was that if parents' questioned anything, they went immediately to the superintendent of the schools to complain and rarely checked with the teacher first to hear his/her side of the story. Superintendents don't like being blindsided. I, personally, am very tired of the education wars! Maybe my problem is, that when I started to teach, the schools were still in locum parentis and teachers were expected to have some expertise. (OK. I'll stop now... this is becoming a rant, lol!)

I don't think the teacher's attitude was the best foot to start on either, but seeing the reaction it got here I can understand why she started the year on the defensive. Not the best approach....but understandable.

I didn't see a problem with the length as I read it to say 5, 10, or 15, etc depending upon the behavior problem. Our kids only get 15-20 min recesses so 20 minutes would be the max.

I guess my question would be: At what age is it appropriate to start having them walk at recess since many feel 5-6 yr olds are still babies?

It is no wonder teachers' hands are tied and schools are what they are today if people treat walking at recess like corporal punishment. Most schools shy away from paddling understandably (and most parents sign to not have their child paddled anyway). Now we are saying walking is "child labor" and "humiliating" to children. OMG....what does that leave us? THIS IS WHY CHILDREN ARE WHAT THEY ARE TODAY IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. There are private schools and homeschooling available where the parents can call the shots.

I am a good teacher so most days no child is sitting OR walking. But if positive reinforcement and redirection don't work, I am not sending a child to the principal when I can make attempts to change behavior myself. Because where I teach, if your child makes it to the principal they are either getting a spanking or they are going home. Let some take off work several times this year and then ask how they feel about their child walking the playground?

Kim