The Thinking Chair

William has gotten off to a very good start at his new school.  I never had any doubt that he would, although I did feel some trepidation (for myself) at this new form of parting.  School has changed since I was young, evidently. So far, I am seeing positive changes.  I know he is only in Reception, but there seems to be so much more freedom for children to follow their interests as they emerge in each moment and for the teachers to facilitate that.  It is less didactic and rigid, thank goodness.  And, there are only 22 in his class.

I have conferred with the Head Teacher about the possibility of flexi-schooling, one day a week.  She is a warm, calm personality, and my brief conversations with her have contributed to my optimism about the future at the school.  She was possibly a little bit surprised by my idea though, and I sensed, very slightly disappointed, though she didn't show it.  She had come across the idea before, and agreed to look into things from her side, while I did my best to reassure her that this was not due to any doubt about him having an enriching experience at the school.  I envisage that we will do things to complement any themes they might be exploring at school.  I want to be an integral part of his learning experience, to share with him and spend that time with him while he is so young, that hopefully, when he is all grown up, we will both look back on and remember with joy.  (I always seem to be projecting myself far into the future and imagining myself looking back, but please, be assured, I do my best to live in the present!)

So, at the end of each day, we talk about how his day has gone.  The other evening, he told me about the Thinking Chair.  This got my full attention.  It is a place for children to go and sit when they have done something naughty, he said.  So they can think about what they've done.  He also said he didn't want to sit on the Thinking Chair, he wanted to be a good boy.  *gulp* *raised eyebrows*

"Do you think it is a good idea?" I said.  Evidently, he was all for it.

Then he told me about the "Star of the Day".  This is basically the opposite of the Thinking Chair.  When someone has been very "good", ie showing an act of kindness, done all the tidying up, etc, they may be nominated Star of the Day. 

We had a discussion about the merits of these behaviour modification tools, well, as much as one can have with a 4 year-old who is already a total convert, apparently.  He even asked if we could have them at home too.  I thought about this for more than a moment.  Perhaps we actually could?  But we would use them slightly differently.  Anyone at home could be Star of the Day, but it would be more like paying a complement to them, rather than it having to be earned by doing a good deed.  So, we could have a special chair, where the someone could be showered with praise and admiration by everyone else, a sort-of feel-good, ego-bolstering zone.  And, as far as the Thinking Chair is concerned, that could also be a place where one would go voluntarily after a moment of strife (including grown-ups).  So, for now, carrots are to remain in the fridge and sticks (even psychological ones) will stay in the yard.