4 yr Preschool Behavior

[jlag]

My son just turned 4 and is an only child with a stay-at-home mom.  He is in preschool with 12 girls, 3 other boys.  He is energetic, enthusiastic, talkative, compassionate and curious.  In the past two months of his M-W-F 2.5 hr class, he has had three specific days where (1) poked a couple of children with his finger and bopped his best friend on the head with a playdough roller (2) nudged a child while standing in line to switch positions so as to be next to his best friend.  These three incidents have raised the flag with his teachers as issues out of the norm.  In my 1 hour conversation with these two female teachers, not one positive word was said about my son.  While my son plays with many other children in my home as well as other homes without me present, this behavior is not demonstrated nor do any of these other parents see my son as other than a healthy, energetic, fun, kind and beautiful boy, whom they also enjoy, as well as their children.

Please help me understand if this is within normal range and what your feelings are with regards to if this preschool environment is suitable for a curious and enthusiastic boy.

[Agiesmom]

I agree with jd.  It sounds like typical boy behavior to me.  And boys tend to be more active and not as mature and able to control themselves--especially that young.  I knew my son couldn't do it at 5, so I didn't put him into kindergarten then.  My son did like the Montessori preschool he attended.  Montessori is child-led and the kids are free to move around the room to do what they want to do when they want to do it--there are rules, they have to used the materials appropriately, etc., but it may be something to consider for your son.

[jd1419]

First thing I would check with is the other mothers of the boys to see if they are getting the same complaints.  I say this for some teachers do not know how to deal with boys--and if there are only four boys then they may singling them out for aggressive behavior.  If you get the same reports from them then bring it to the directors attention.

These incidents do not sound like something to be concerned about.  I think it is just normal behavior.. If he was told to stop and listened to the teacher he is learning th school environment.  Is this his 1st year of pre-school--I ask becasue it may take him a few months to learn all the appropriate rules and socialization of school--
If you keep getting bad reviews from the school it may be that you need to switch and find a different setting.