My 3 1/2 year old and day care.

[OPLIEGO]

My 3 1/2 daughter has been acting up lately.  What I mean is her day care teachers tell me she is hard to controll during walks to the park and perfers playing with the few kids that do no listen to their teachers.  This is her 2nd year in the same day care, when I first put her in the day care,  I always received compliments from teachers, "well behaved, excellent listener, likes to assist teachers handing out crayons and paper"  now they seem surprised for her turnaround behavior.  I am a bit concerned but  I don't know if I should.  I am 5 months pregnant with my second child and I am told that is the reason for her behavior and not listening to her dad and I or teachers in school.  She is very bright but and I want to know what to do to prevent a "lil monster". Her teachers mention it might be a low attention deficit and tht she seem a bit more tomboyish and rather not play with girls or girl toys, which is surprising because she tells me boys are mean and she likes purses .  Please any advice is helpful.

[treazzure007]

She's only three and I'm very sure there are quite a few others acting out the same way she is.  She's probably going through a new phase of budding independence and skills and needs more discipline to help line it up and even it out.  She's also the age to be taught about there being a time and place for everything and to always respect and obey authority figures and rules.  Other than that, I dont know what on earth those teachers are talking about.  Maybe some of them are just shying away from telling you that she needs a little bit more teaching and disciplining now

[KAnneH]

It is astonishing to me that your daughter's teachers would characterize her play behavior in those terms!  She is only three years old, and should not be made to categorize her choice of play in "boy" or "girl" terms.  She is just doing what feels most comfortable and fun for her, and should not be told that her choices are right or wrong for her gender.
If she IS misbehaving, that is another story...and should be addressed with a positive approach.  The key to changing children's behavior is to try and answer the "why is it happening", and not just try to change their behaviior so that it looks more appropriate.  Have a frank talk with her teachers, and try to formulate some ideas ...maybe a sticker/reward chart for good behavior?  Simply telling her NOT to play with certain children because the are "bad kids" would probably be counter-productive, and also damaging to those potential friendships.

Good luck!