Teacher in Kindergarten Asks My Son to Clean Food Tray with His Clothes

Hmmm.
Were his clothes dirty? I'm wondering if he had an accident and spilled his tray on himself then, worrying you might be angry, came up with a story about how his clothes got food on them.

I would talk to the teacher about this and get her to clarify what happened. I can't imagine a teacher wanting a kid to clean ANYTHING up with their clothes and then have to wear them like that the rest of the day.
What did he mean by clean the mess up with his clothes? Take his shirt and coat off and wipe up a mess with them? That just doesn't make any sense.
I could be wrong, but his version of what happened might be a little skewed.
Best wishes.

honestly it sounds like he misunderstood her.
I'd wager she told him to not get hit on his clothes or the lean it up with a cloth and he misheard.
I'd talk to the teacher.

This is something you should bring up with the teacher. I wouldn't supply details, but simply ask about "the incident with the tray" yesterday. Find out the teacher's version of the story before you assume your child got all the details right. When upset, we frequently hear things that weren't actually said, or miss things that were. And children do have great imaginations.

Did your son come home with food on his clothes? Could that have happened as he dropped the tray? Could there have been a food fight between kids that ended in messed up clothing and a need for a story? Other possible explanations? Try to hold an open mind before blaming the teacher for a rather absurd request. Teachers do get accused of all sorts of weird stuff that never happened, because they are not there when the student is trying to explain things to Mom or Dad.

I'm not suggesting your son is lying or mistaken, necessarily. He definitely needs you to back him up if something inappropriate or unprofessional did happen. The simple fact is that kids' interpretations of what happened is often lacking perspective. They can't help it – their perspective is quite limited.

The teacher may be able to reassure you if you'll hear her out. But if she seems evasive, she could be embarrassed or guilty. At that point, you might offer some of the details your son told you, and ask what happened that would have given him that idea. A hasty altering of her story, or dismissal of your son's distress as foolish, or similar defensive or uncaring behavior would leave me feeling this is not the teacher for my child.

As far as comforting a child who's upset, often the best thing to do is to hold them and make a simple, direct observation, like "Oh, sweetheart, I see that you are really sad/angry/scared (or whatever feelings you notice) about this. Here, let me give you a hug. Do you want to talk more about it?" Then just listen. Don't lead the child to supply more detail than he offers without coaxing, or he may feel the need to "embroider" the actual event.

I'd talk to the teacher. If she didn't say that, you (and your son) will be able to joke about that little misunderstanding in a few years. If she did say that, you need to ask her why. This is certainly not a cleaning practice you want him to adopt.

Always remember the Sam Levenson quip: "On the first day of school, the teacher sent notes to the parents that read, 'If you'll promise not to believe everything your child says happens at school, I'll promise not to believe everything your child says happens at home.'" Keep close communication with your child's teacher and ask questions!

Talk to the teacher. My son is in 2nd and I believe about half of what he tells me and I question the other half! LOL
I'm sure *something* happened with your son and his tray, but I really doubt he was asked to clean a tray with his clothes!

My daughter came home from Kindergarten one day telling me that her teacher told her she couldn't bring home her library book because I didn't sign the paper. (You had to sign a permission slip if you were ok with the responsibility of your child bringing home a school library book) Thinking, that the paper got lost I spoke with the teacher the next morning. She did say to everyone who didn't get their name read your parent didn't sign the paper so you can't bring a book home. But here is the kicker....my daughter's name was on the list that she read to take home their book. My daughter missed her name being called.

So the point of my story is, like everyone has already said, double check with his teacher. Your son probably heard her wrong.

That definitely warrants a conversation with the teacher. It does seem like an odd request, and I can't help but wonder if your son, being upset, misheard his teacher, or misunderstood her acutal request. I would most certainly address it with her, though. I would ask her to explain the situation with your son dropping his tray, and let her tell you in her words, what happened. You may see from what she says that there was a misunderstanding on your son's part. If she doesn't say anything remotely similar to the way your son recalled the events, I'd specifically address what your son said with her, and see her reaction. But I wouldn't use your son's words until you've heard her version, to get a feel for the whole situation.

I hope you get the story straight, and if she did really tell your son that, then there is an issue to address. If not, you should be able to explain to your son what his teacher actually said or meant - perhaps she can address it with him too, and hopefully, allay any anxieties he may have because of that incident.

Let us know after you talk to the teacher. I'm curious to hear her version of events...

Seriously sounds like a misunderstanding more than anything else. If he's still freaked out about it without you leading him there I'd go check it out. If he isnt giving it a second thought I'd ignore it.... just another one of THOSE days.
Did he have food all over his clothes? He may have done something on his own and is trying to get out of it by making up that somewhat cuckoo story.. just a thought.

Are you sure your son didn't misunderstand what the teacher instructed? I know with my 5 yr old twins, they will come home and tell me one thing, then the neighbor's girl, another friend's son AND the teacher will all confirm something a little bit different. I think you need to talk to the teacher and a few other witnesses and confirm. I can't think anyone in their right mind would tell a child to do something like that.

As a teacher and former Kindergarten teacher I had a saying I said to my parents at parent/teacher conferences (especially in kdg) " if you don't believe what they say about me, I won't believe what they say about you"! Lol. Kids at that age are more likely to tell you his teacher told him to do that then to say he accidentally dumped the tray on himself at lunch, or something else where he feels at fault. Just comfort him because he's obviously upset over what did happen. I would definitely make a point of getting the story straight with his teacher and then discussing with him what "really" happened or else he may be more inclined to tell these stories than the truth when something happens that upsets him or he thinks may upset you. Kids at that age are very sensitive to pleasing others, especially Mom and Dad. Good luck and remember. The teacher is a professional and is there to help the kids and do what's best for them, so give her the benefit of the doubt until you check with her side of the story.
Good luck!

Wow S., weird.

Talk to the teacher, and find out the story. Meanwhile, just hug him and tell him, "that must have made you sad."

If that's really what went down, no teacher should be doing that, but I think the real story might be a little different.

Surely she said, pick it up and don't get it on your clothes?

WHAT?!? This sounds a bit ridiculous. You need to go in immediately and talk to the teacher, don't tell her what your son said, get her side of the story first. I wonder if your son misunderstood her or if she is just crazy! If she did ask him to clean up with his clothes you need to remove him from this class and raise a HUGE stink.

Good luck and let us know what happened, this is awful!

comfort him by letting him know it's not a big deal by....er......not making a big deal out of it. kids have odd reactions to things at times, and we can validate those feelings and make sure they felt heard and understood without joining them in an angst-fest.
if he dropped the tray, accidental or not, it's reasonable for him to be expected to pick it up. he almost certainly misunderstood the teacher's instructions because he was understandably rattled.
miscommunications happen. help him learn how to deal with this, it's part of life. don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
khairete
S.

is she smoking crack get real kids are kids. I would call the school and complain LOUDLY tell him that is an unreasonable request he doesnt have to comply and if they get him in trouble for it to have them call you and you will handle it forr him.

Really are you sure?Call the teacher & ask the teacher if she does say she did tell him that then go from there but don't stop there take it up with the principal that is not a form of discipline for an accident.

S.:

I too would be shocked and angry!!

That's NOT a "joke" or something that a Kindergartener would understand. Call the principal and get a face-to-face with him/her. This is UNACCEPTABLE.

Just let your son know there are people out there who don't think before they talk, yes, even adults do it, and what she said to you was wrong...I'm sooo sorry that this happened to you!!

Did he have food on his clothes? I can't imagine a teacher doing this because they are supposed to be experienced with dealing with kids in all kinds of situations. I would definantly be making an appointment with the teacher and ask what happened and why she said this to him..

you need to report the teacher to the principal and or the school board and demand that the teacher get a check up from the neck up, there is something mentally wrong with a teacher that would demand that child clean up a accidental food spill with their own clothes. but first take the childs clothes that the teacher demanded that he clean the floor with to the most expensive drycleaners you can find, and then send the teacher the bill, and demand that she pay the bill or simply take the soiled clothes to the police and demand that the teacher be invistigated.
K. h.

That's unconscionable-I would ask that she be removed from her position. People who attempt to make another person-a child!-feel small should not be around children-or any one else for that matter. Let her pick on somebody who own size.

I'm not sure what I would say to my child, but I know what i would say to that inept teacher and the principal if that is in fact what happened. i'd also be reporting her to the board of education and make her apologize to my son.