My son has been attending his school since August. He attends a PreK 4 Montessori program at our local elementary school and while I haven't been overly impressed at the population of students there, I haven't had reason to be upset with the school. Until today.
A fellow mom and I began talking about the Montessori program today (our children are in the same grade; different classes who work together closely). She stated the children were not allowed to speak to each other at all during lunch, and were spaced apart while eating. Additionally, her daughter has repeatedly told her that instead of playing at recess, she is constantly being made to walk laps around the playground as punishment for talking, jumping out of line or not sitting still.
Preschoolers and kindergartners, walking laps instead of burning energy by running around during recess, for being THEIR AGE. I'm sorry, but I'm pretty sure there are more effective ways to "punish" a four or five year old who has been excessively talking. Like pulling them from the activity going on in the class and putting them in a corner or time out. Or having a chart where they get a frowny face sticker for the day, activity, class etc. Additionally, part of the reason why a child that age excessively talks or fidgets is because they have EXCESS ENERGY. Taking their one outlet away from them and making them walk laps seems like it would contribute to the problem....not alleviate it!
These four and five year old children are getting in trouble for acting their age. Then, they are made to wait for their punishment (if their offense occurs after recess, they walk laps the following day). I'm all for schools helping shape our children into responsible young people who know right from wrong, but I don't believe making them walk laps is the way to do it!
As to lunch, I understand having a small period of time at the beginning of lunch in which the children are to eat, not speak to each other. However, requiring these small children to sit spaced apart, like robots and eat their food without socializing seems cruel. School isn't just for learning writing and figuering; its also an important part of the socialization process! People are expected to be able to eat meals and carry on intelligent, interesting conversations. This begins in childhood! Children must learn how to eat, talk, and mind their manners at once. Twenty-five minutes of forced silence filled with eating is not fulfilling that socialization process.
Lastly, I'm upset that I didn't know about any of this. Yes, I talk to my son about his school day. He obviously doesn't think there is anything wrong with the processes at school, because he hasn't complained about them. When I spoke to him about it today, he stated that yes, in the past he has walked laps during recess as punishment. Perhaps he sees it as fair, or perhaps he wasn't bothered by it as it hasn't happened much. However, my friends daughter is walking almost everyday (for talking). If the school is going to have a punishment process, it should be stated; if a child is constantly being punished under those guidelines, the parents should be notified! Neither has happened. I wonder how many parents don't know their children are being punished with laps, and being forced to eat like some strict, 1800's English boarding school!
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