BusynMember
Well-Known Member
I had the interesting experience of subbing in our school's full day four year old kindergarten and learned or recalled a few things I have forgotten about four year olds, especially the boys (since my last child was a girl). I'm just going to share my experience and take it for what it is.
I don't know how any boy can be diagnosed with ADHD at that age. ALL the boys (and I do mean ALL of them) were super energetic from classroom play to outdoors. Most were good natured, but liked to wrestle and play rough. The few who seemed a bit "over the top" were the ones who did not understand the intangible boundaries...boys can wrestle and fall on one another and roll around, but punching and kicking their little friends would cause protests from the victim and those boys had to be watched more carefully. I'd say, of the entire class, we had about three of them who didn't understand the boundaries. Most of them did. But they were very high energy, FAR moreso than the girls. In spite of their energy levels, the boys were mostly sweet and cuddly and gave hugs freely and smiled a lot. We had one boy who cried a lot and did not seem to be happy. He was also one of those boys who tended not to undertand that you don't knock down Joey's tower when he spent so much time building it. He also hit and tried to hit me a few times.
The girls? Most were sweeter than pie and at a very cute age. They were much lower energy and easier than the boys. One was sensitive and cried too much. One a little more high energy and played with the boys and didn't listen as well, but, all in all, the girls were much easier and calmer and more mature. They were REALLY affectionate.
The kids were all receptive to a loving adults (I tend to be very nurturing). Some kids also ride my bus so I knew them before I was in the classroom and I really enjoyed all the hugs and demands to hold my hand while walking down the hall or going to recess.j
My impression? Four year olds are mostly great kids with a lot of spirit. We *do* take kids with special needs. I could see a few kids who will have problems as time goes on, but most were just regular fun kids. Makes this grandma sad that I can't see my grandson more often.
Ok, just a happy vent! But also...wondering how many of these boisterous boys are tagged with ADHD.
I don't know how any boy can be diagnosed with ADHD at that age. ALL the boys (and I do mean ALL of them) were super energetic from classroom play to outdoors. Most were good natured, but liked to wrestle and play rough. The few who seemed a bit "over the top" were the ones who did not understand the intangible boundaries...boys can wrestle and fall on one another and roll around, but punching and kicking their little friends would cause protests from the victim and those boys had to be watched more carefully. I'd say, of the entire class, we had about three of them who didn't understand the boundaries. Most of them did. But they were very high energy, FAR moreso than the girls. In spite of their energy levels, the boys were mostly sweet and cuddly and gave hugs freely and smiled a lot. We had one boy who cried a lot and did not seem to be happy. He was also one of those boys who tended not to undertand that you don't knock down Joey's tower when he spent so much time building it. He also hit and tried to hit me a few times.
The girls? Most were sweeter than pie and at a very cute age. They were much lower energy and easier than the boys. One was sensitive and cried too much. One a little more high energy and played with the boys and didn't listen as well, but, all in all, the girls were much easier and calmer and more mature. They were REALLY affectionate.
The kids were all receptive to a loving adults (I tend to be very nurturing). Some kids also ride my bus so I knew them before I was in the classroom and I really enjoyed all the hugs and demands to hold my hand while walking down the hall or going to recess.j
My impression? Four year olds are mostly great kids with a lot of spirit. We *do* take kids with special needs. I could see a few kids who will have problems as time goes on, but most were just regular fun kids. Makes this grandma sad that I can't see my grandson more often.
Ok, just a happy vent! But also...wondering how many of these boisterous boys are tagged with ADHD.
