School Problems

[watervole]

 Oswin's back at school now, and it's really stressing her out.

Different classroom, new pupils in, some old friends gone.

Easier work - almost inevitable as she had decent home schooling and many kids didn't have that opportuity.

But, the one that's really distressing her is the behaviour of some of the children.  They've lost the habit of learning.  Both the habit of obeying the teachers, and the ability to sit still and listen.

She says she can't focus on her work because they're making a noise and running around.

 

The teachers are stressed as well.  There's a mood board on the wall where everyone can put a face to show how they're feeling, and the teachers have sad/angry most days.

The Head (from all I gather, a popular and friendly man) has been in and shouted at the class.

 

It's no surprise after how long they've been away from school, and probably been stuck indoors in front of a TV that doesn't care if they run around the room, but it's  a big problem.

 

The school have added an extra playtime to help the kids burn off some energy/frustration, and they're starting the day with a quiet session of sitting down and listening to nature, just to help them practice being still and listening.

 

But I think the problem will probably persist for some time.

 

Comments

[igenlode]

They're probably severely activity-deprived after months of being told that outdoor time is strictly rationed and playing with your friends is bad :-(
If you shut up small children for weeks on end you're going to get explosions -- I was listening to old ladies complaining about the noise next door's children were making by bouncing on the trampoline in their garden for hours on end, and it evidently hadn't dawned on them (a) that the children in question were lucky in at least *having* a garden, and (b) that the energy being channelled and dissipated effectively by means of the trampoline would otherwise have been inflicted upon the children's surroundings. It's like shutting up a large dog all day in a small flat and expecting it simply to adapt.

Extra play-time is a good idea, but of course if they are too exhausted physically they probably won't be able to concentrate anyway :-(

[watervole]

I always love the noise that normally drifts from the local school playground. Happy, shrieking children.

I suspect some hate it, but they're happy and that's the enjoyable part!

[word_geek]

That is a skill I suppose I should have known would fade, and yet, somehow, I didn't expect it.

How old is Oswin?

H

[watervole]

She's six, going on seven.