My son said a few of things in the presence of his teacher. He likes to joke and he loves imaginative play. She wasn't exactly amused by his brand of humor and actually "corrected" him. Here is just one example, he took some beads on a rope (there is a proper term from them, but I forget) and draped them over his neck. He said "What a lovely necklace. I'm a pretty girl!" He then giggled. (OK, it's not his best joke, but he thought it was pretty funny.) The directress said "No, those are not necklaces. And you are a boy." Not even a smile. No humor. My son took off the beads and put them back and said "It was a JOKE." She ignored this. So I don't know if his personality and her personality are going to mesh well.
I dunno what to think about anything anymore... would a class clown personality do OK in a Montessori environment?
So I'm confused - do you want to encourage your child to continue to be the class clown?
I'm not into humorlessness for the sake of humorlessness, but if this teacher can send a message of seriousness in a resptectful way, I think any child could learn a lot from that. I don't think you have to worry about your child being squelched by being exposed to this seriousness and respect a few hours a day. I think worrying about will my child be given enough of a rich alternative to class clown is a better focus. So kids really need clear boundries. The fact that she ignored his 'It's a joke' comment is a sign, to me, that she isn't out to get him, but that she expects to keep rewarding his serious behavior and unreinforcing his disrespectful behavior. A lot of teachers would have done a lot worse. Even with a 3 year old. Trust me - I've lived this.
If he wilts, you'll see it, and then you will have to move on, but do try and give it a chance. If he is able to rise to the occasion he will gain a lot.
Love and More Love,
Grinity
