Parent's evening

[B00]

Didn't post this last night as I was still annoyed about it. I still am, but wanted some 'outsiders' views- if you don't mind :-)

We went to Mini Boo's parents evening last night. And she's doing well in both literacy and numeracy (within and slightly above the national average), and behaving well in class, but her teacher mentioned a characteristic of Mini Boo's which she seemed keen to stamp out of her, and I was deeply unhappy about her even bringing it up.

When Mini Boo wants something, she's a habit of putting on a slightly babyish voice and simpering a bit I guess. I'm assuming in her head she thinks this affectation will somehow win whoever she's asking over to her way of thinking.

Her teacher claimed that now she's older, this really should stop. Now bearing in mind Mini Boo's only 7 I thought this ridiculous. I pointed out that I thought it was a tiny flaw (is it really?) that wasn't even worth her bringing up. Yes if MB was aggressive, or rude and cheeky then yes by all means tackle it.

I then asked how she thought we'd go about it? To which she'd no answer but said she's like to try and get MB to request things more grown up like. I told her I was not happy her doing this as a) i believe its something MB 'does' and eventually grow out of anyway b) I'd hate for MB to think she daren't ask for anything in class for fear of getting pounced on.

Shes assured me that she will not bring it up with MB, so im not worried on that score, im just fuming that i think she sees it as a flaw that needs to be stamped out of a 7 year old.

This teacher is a new one to the school, and one Mr Boo says is trying to make her make and prove a point (eh?). He by the way didn't say a word throughout this exchange and he was even more furious than I was so kept quiet for fear of just walking out in a rage.

Any thoughts? Am I being a bit precious over my own child here?

[B00]

Yeah I know factor.

A part of me was astonished that she'd called, a nice thing for her to do which I can see. As I've said we've reached a truce about it.

[Tilly2]

left us all feeling pretty mutinous last night.

So what are you all going to do?

[B00]

I've no idea what the other mums are going to do Tilly, entirely up to them! What I did was make my feelings known last night and this morning when she called, and the teacher did likewise.

I don't think this is a major issue, if it was I'd have asked for a meeting with the headmistress.

All I was asking here was whether my feelings were justified.

[sunny-dave]

I think 'stamping it out' is a bit harsh at 7 ...

... "gently addressing as time goes by" would seem rather more appropriate.

It does need sorting out though, if it doesn't disappear naturally.

I have a friend who is now in her 30s and still uses a 'baby voice' if she thinks it will get results - incredibly irritating. Interestingly she is obviously in control of the behaviour, because she never tries it with me or any others who have picked her up on it.

[cazzz1975]

At age 7 it would be a good thing to get out of, She is either at the end of key stage 1 infants and about to become a junior or is one already. I'm sure she hasn't meant anything personal or insulting, I think she is probably just trying to look out for mini boo

[B00]

I can see that Cazzz., honestly I can, lol. It's just a part of you does think "what do you mean there's a part of my child you don't like???" whether that's irrational, I dunno, but its how I immediately reacted.

I do know this trait needs to be looked into, and it will, as ive said, I find it irritating at times myself. I just didn't find it a necessary point to be raised by her teacher, and despite the good arguments here, a massive point of me.still doesn't- sorry :P

[cazzz1975]

I know what you mean, I used to send in a drink for my son and in year 6 I was told this was not happening anymore, naturally I took offence (lol) and was quite shirty about it, looking back she was right, he had developed an attachment to this damned drink and I thought he couldnt survive without it lol

he is fine now and I have calmed down from being a drama queen on the phone to the school ;)

[Lisa_Louise]

My daughter has kind of done it and we are always telling her to speak properly. She is 10 now and she still get the 'cute' voice out when she reads something out to us. I think it's a nerves thing?

I would really try and get her to talk more grown up, it can be irritating to someone else but not to the parent. :)

[bednobs]

have you considered that the teacher read this, then called you?

[B00]

Nope

[Bluestone]

Lol. Unless her real name is 'B00', and her child's name 'Mini B00' I would have thought that was highly unlikely... :-)

[sherrardk]

I think that the transition from year two to year three is a massive step for parents and children. The year three teachers tend to be a bit less 'caring' in that they seem to think that over the summer the children have matured and no longer need the gentle approach (I'm not putting this very well but in the infants the teachers are more 'mumsy' and 'softer' towards the children yet the junior teachers are far more 'business-like' and 'abrupt'). Mini Boo will grow out of it but I can see that it could be a trait that could irritate others.

[cazzz1975]

you are right sherr, once kids move on to the juniors the teachers are more formal and expect the children to move past the more infant style of teaching.

Im not saying its right or wrong, its just an observation I have made

[factor-fiction]

A few posts here seem to be picking up on the 'stamp it out' comment. It doesn't say the teacher wanted to 'stamp it out'- B00 just said "I think she sees it as a flaw that needs to be stamped out of a 7 year old".

Anyway, hopefully the open two-way discussion between teacher and parent is a good thing and B00 seems happier now.

[B00]

Well i wouldn't say im happier no. I've realised that I do have to chalk it up though as an experience so to speak.

I'll address the babyish, if and when it happens at home, it won't be addressed at school by this particular teacher as I've stated to her I wouldn't be happy her doing so- so it's a kind of stalemate I think :-)

[Paul_Hints]

I really wonder about the use of targets, performance management of teachers and what they achieve. Teachers should concentrate on teaching, encouraging interaction and rewarding correct answers rather than stamping anything out of a 7 year old. This teacher should concentrate on teaching. Does this teacher really think this behaviour is going to do anything other than alienate your daughter or encourage other pupil's to mark her out as different and therefore possibly treat her differently ? I wonder if the teacher secretly hopes to encourage bullying of your child to 'stamp' it out of her. It's the teacher who has the problem. (Deep breath, calm, rant over !! )

[B00]

As het up over this as I was and still a bit am Paul, I really don't think the teacher is seeking to encourage my child to be bullied.

[Psybbo]

As a child, a group of us started to talk with a lisp (not to the teachers though). We thought we were funny until I overheard a woman say to my mother 'What a pretty child, pity she's got such a bad speech impediment' That stopped it for me.You are not over-reacting, she is only 7 xx

[joeluke]

7 year old who talks like a baby just to get her own way?

Sounds spoilt