My Sons Behavior

I've got a 7 yo boy. I think it's normal for boys. I think it's harder for them to sit, be still and focus for very long periods of time.

I would say it's normal, but if you have mommy intuition that it's something else, talk to someone like a developmental pediatrician or ask the school for a reommendation on who to consult. At the least, if they say it's normal, you have peace of mind about it.

What to do? I would go over bus behavior right before he gets on for awhile. My son's kindergarten teacher went over instructions like this. 'On the bus you sit in your seat." What do you do?" (get response) "Do you stand up?" (no) "Do you move to another seat?" (no) "You are going to do what on the bus?" (get answer). In other words, say what to do, practice, practice some of what not to do, then say what to do. You've now gone over it several times without being boring about the reinforcement. After you're sure he's got it down, you can shorten it to a code word or two.

Kindergarten is a TON of new things. I wouldn't expect him to get the hang of all of it right from the start. Expect him to get there and continue to teach him what he should be doing. It will sink in. :)

It could be totally normal, it could be signs of something. I would see what type of feedback you receive from his teacher. Our son has ADHD and we spent a lot of time thinking he was just an "active boy." A lot of people gave us bad advice and told us "not to worry" and "my son's active, too! It's normal." When he started preschool, we learned pretty quickly his behavior wasn't normal. Teachers will definitely tell you when behavior is out of the norm.

Also, if your gut says this isn't normal, talk to the pediatrician for a referral to a specialist like a neuropsychologist or psychiatrist. Specialists can do an evaluation to see if he's on track.

It sounds just like my son! And I believe he is normal!!!

That fact that you are concerned is a red flag. I'd definitely ask the teacher's opinion about how his behavior compares with the other boys his age. Also, I'd talk with the bus monitor about the same thing. Then I'd discuss it with the pediatrician and try to uncover if there is some developmental / environmental problem, physical conditions, etc. A thorough physical may be needed - check hearing, check vision, screen for processing problems, check nutritional status, hormones... there are so many different things to consider, if it is determined that he isn't just being a normal little boy.

This may help: Is It ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)? http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2009/04/is-it-adhd-atten...

I always say go with mommy instinct. I wish I had trusted mine more even after being reassured everything was "normal" (and in my younger child's case - she was NOT "fine.")

I've noticed that boys tend to be constantly in motion and that's seems to be how they learn best. I would say that if he is able to focus on his school work and get it done without constant redirection (all kids this age do need redirection so I really am talking about constant redirection), then there is probably nothing to worry about.

My gut is to say VERY normal. :-) In a couple of weeks, you may want to talk to his teacher and see if she thinks he is on par with the other kids.

I wouldn't be worried. This just means you need to do more checking on his behavior. I'd talk with his teacher who can compare his activity and focus level with many other kids in her years of service. She may also be able to provide some training in how to behave on a bus. I remember both of my grandchildren having units on that subject.

This sounds much like my granddaughter at that age. Her kindergarten teacher was really great at helping her stay settled and focused. Her's was an experienced teacher who was very skilled with children. My granddaughter was eventually diagnosed with ADHD. However, other students who were also active did settle down in subsequent grades.

ADHD is a common concern these days but at 5 in Kindergarten he is just getting used to being in a controlled school setting. I suggest that he needs more time to adjust. A bus driver who understands children should be able to try different ways of keeping him seated. Sometimes it helps for the child to sit in the first row of seats in the left side aisle. Or the driver could assign an older calm child to sit with him.

My grandson, who was been diagnosed with ADHD in the 1st grade
rides a bus which has seat belts. At 5 he was restrained in a car seat that his mother put on the bus with him. Could this be a possibility for your son? My grandson does ride a special bus because he's in special ed.which could make a difference.

If your son's only difficulty is staying seated on the bus, I suggest that he just needs to be trained to do so. Riding the bus is a new and most likely exciting adventure for him, especially if there are not seat belts.

I would definitely not be worried. I might be concerned if he's having other difficulties. I suggest that at age 5 and in kindergarten many children have difficulty staying in their seat. And all children at that age are only able to focus for short periods of time. If you look at the teachers schedule, I think you'll find that her plans cover 15 minute increments. She also has an aid and parent volunteers to help the children stay on task. I was a kindergarten aid for 1 year.

Yes, very normal, especially for that age and grade level. Kinder is a phase where they start to show their independence and testing the boundaries b/c mom and dad are not around. Most boys (not mine though) are hard wired to be a little rambunctious. His school work is where any ADD/ADHD signs will be truly be shown - inconsistency in grades is a huge red flag.

Your son is a little boy. We try to make little boys behave like little girls. Boys are meant to be moving, exploring, taking dominion of their environment. It is what boys do. Please, don't be worried. You might, however, consider a different method of educating him. Or, you might wait another year to chain him to a desk. :)

I've raised six boys and your son's behavior sounds very normal for a boy that age. Two things I've done to make sure they behaved when they needed to were: I kept them busy at home and let them burn off all that energy (even though it meant lots of noise and nothing breakable in the house); and I gently reminded them before they left home how they should behave. My guys are in their teens and 20s now and they're still energetic but they know how to direct their energy.

My son got in trouble on the bus first few weeks of Kinder because it seemed he didn't realize the same rules applied from school onto the bus...that the bus was still part of school.

I went in and talked with the vice principle in charge of discipline...I went before he could call me...the bus driver gave me a heads up that he would be calling. Anyways he called my son in and spoke with him while I was there about the rules and how they apply still when on the bus. He was really good with him.

Then I spoke with the bus driver and we gave him an assigned seat alone right in front of the bus. So there would be no one else to get in trouble with...and I pack some books in my son's backpack for him to read whill sitting on the bus. His bottom is not to leave his seat.

Then I get a report from the driver when I pick him up...two thumbs up, one thumb up or thumbs down. A thumbs down means he got out of his seat or was doing any other inappropriate behavior. Thumbs down means no tv, video games or computer...and an evening spent in his room. A thumbs up or double thumbs up means a sticker on a reward chart that wihen full can be traded in on a lego kit.

So he sounds normal to me...