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Questions about 4-5 yr old campers?

I'm a day-camp camp counsellor to a group of nine four-year-olds. I'm not used to dealing with this age group, and my co counsellors and I are having a lot of problems.

One of our kids, a five year old, won't stop tattletaling. If someone does anything that is not exactly the way he wants it to be, he marches over to the counsellors and tells. Most of the time, it's something seriously minor. But it's getting out of control. Do any parents or teachers have suggestions that might make him stop, or at least do it less frequently? He tattletales about 10 - 20+ times during a 40 minute period (depending on the activity). He also complains all the time about the most insignificant things (he said he had a huge scrape on his knee that was hurting him; there wasn't even a mark). Any ideas on how to help him get over these habits (or whatever they are?)

We also have another girl (4 years old) who is incredibly stubborn. She won't do anything she's told, and it's really affecting the rest of the group. If something doesn't go exactly the way she wants it to go, she sulks and refuses to move. I had to leave her in the bathroom by herself today because I needed to take other campers back to the group to continue their activities, then I had to come back and literally drag her back to the group. This was all because she didn't want to wash her hands and I said she had to. Any ideas to get her to stay with the group, and to stop being quite so stubborn?

Also, my co's and I often tell the kids that they'll get a time out if they're doing something wrong. Problem is, my co's never follow through with that threat and tell me that I shouldn't do anything. The kids are starting to realize this and they're not taking it seriously anymore. How can I get them to follow through with what they say consequences are, or to at least let me if they don't want to do it themselves? Also, I wanted to go to our supervisor for assistance dealing with the stubborn girl, but they said that was stupid and we didn't need help (we definitely do).

Finally (Sorry this is so long!), if a four year old says this "I will never come back to school (she meant camp) because I hate you and you are mean and the worst teacher (counsellor) ever," is simply saying 'Ok' in a nonchalant voice, and then ignoring the rest of her rant, the appropriate response? She said this because I told her she couldn't colour with the rest of the group after she tried to snatch a crayon box out of another kid's hands, ripped open the box (spilling crayons everywhere), then wouldn't apologize. (This is the same girl that is really stubborn).

Thanks in advance for any helpful answers! I know this may seem like nothing to many teachers and parents, but please keep in mind that I'm only sixteen, my co's are 17 and 18 and of the three of us, I have the most experience as a counsellor (this is my second year). So please don't tell me that these are stupid questions and I should know how to deal with it myself.

2 Answers

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  • 10 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I learned how to deal with tattle-tales from my son's kindergarten teacher. Unless it's something that DOES require my attention, I tell them to tell whoever the other person is, that they didn't like what they were doing. EX: Johnny calls Joey a name, Joey comes to tell, I tell Joey to tell Johnny why he didn't like it and work it out. Joey has to go to Johnny and tell him "I don't like it when you call me a jerk, that hurts my feelings." Sometimes tattle teller will just let it go, sometimes they will follow through. Other than that, I ignore it.

    As for the stubborn girl, if you are having to leave her alone like that, I'd bring it up to your supervisor...especially if it's happening alot.

    Punishment wise, you TOTALLY have to follow through, or the kids are going to see that "Eh, they're not going to do anything to me anyways, so why do I have to listen" Kids are smart and will play you, even that young.

    AS for the last part about her saying she wasn't coming back, I'd do something similar. She's looking for a reaction. You want to answer her so she knows you heard her, but don't want to feed into it, KWIM? Something like "Oh that's too bad" or "I'm going to miss you" and then go back to what your doing.

    Good luck!

    Source(s): mom of an 8 year old, a 6 year old, a 4 year old and a 5 week old.
  • Anonymous
    10 years ago

    just tell him not tell story

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