I've been following your thread and I had to reply after I read your post today. What an absolutely AWFUL response from that little boy. UGH! Honestly, I'm wondering why everyone is focusing on your son and not on how he is being treated by these other boys. So far, from what you described, the only concrete thing that the teacher can name that your son has done is knock over a block tower, which he says he was told to do. I don't know if it qualifies as bullying, but the other boys' behavior certainly qualifies as being mean. What the heck is the teacher thinking to respond, "He needs to learn the consequences of being annoying." Hello, it's a room full of 5- and 6-year old kids. They're annoying. Is she planning to ignore the ones she finds personally annoying? And you know what? In our school, you actually AREN'T allowed to tell kids you don't want to play with them in class. At recess, at home, at the playground... sure, go ahead. But in class, they constantly model how to be gracious. If someone asks to be your partner, there are only two appropriate responses: "No thank you, I already have a partner," or "Sure, thanks for asking me." With all the rudeness in our society, I think it's a great thing. I think this teacher is teaching them it's okay to be jerks. I don't let my kids be mean to each other and I don't let them be mean to other people. I'm sure your son can be annoying at times, because can't we all, but that is NO excuse for the kids' response. The fact that the OT sees something very different (your son is likable and social) really makes me wonder how accurate this teacher is. I would request a conference with the teacher, support staff and principal if things don't improve.
