AboutEvelyn Petersen Expertise I`ve been a weekly parenting columnist for the Knight Ridder papers for 18 years and have answered hundreds of parent questions on at least 200 different topics, most of which related to educational, behavioral and family issues. I`m also a mom, grandmom and author of 7 parenting books. My advice is practical, direct, and positive.
Experience My experience as a mother and grandmother is just as important as my 40 years in the field of education. My degrees are in Child and Family Life and Education. I've taught in settings from preschool centers to family homes, and from private and public schools to college classrooms. I'm also an active consultant for Head Start and other early childhood programs.
Organizations National Assn. for the Education of Young Children
Assn. for Childhood Education International
National Federation of Press Women
Publications Weekkly parenting columns in the Knight Ridder papers and Wire Service from 1984 to present
Author of eight books: "A Practical Guide to Early Childhood Planning" and "A Practical Guide to Early Childhood Curriculum, Second Ed" Allyn & Bacon; "Growing Happy Kids", "Growing Creative Kids", "Growing Thinking Kids", and "Growing Responsible Kids" McGraw-Hill/Totline imprint; "1,2,3, Blocks" McGraw-Hill/Totline imprint; and "Sams Teach Yourself e-Parenting Today" Macmillan USA. My writing also appears in the Nashville Tennessean, on women.com and on tnpc.com (The National Parenting Center)as well as on my own web site (www.askevelyn.com)and other link-related sites. I am also a regular feature writer for "Children and Families" magazine.
Education/Credentials BA Child Development/Family Life; Purdue University
MA Education (early ed priority); Central Mich. University
Awards and Honors Honored by the Michigan State Legislature and the Michigan Childrens' Trust Fund for the Prevention of Child Abuse for writing that helps to promote positive parenting skills. Winner of several Press Women Awards for various columns. Winner of Parents' Choice Recommended Award for the book "Growing Responsible Kids".
My wife picked up our daughter from kindergarten today. Her teacher told my wife she was silently rebelling. She simply does not respond to us or her teacher. She does what she wants and doesn't listen to her teacher or tells her things that aren't true. She is not acting up or disturbing the class, she just wants to do her own thing. She does the opposite of what she is told. We ask her to get ready for bed or school and she does everything but get ready. The teacher asks her to stop talking and she talks more. We have tried taking away toys she likes when she won't listen but that isn't working. What can we do to get her to stop rebelling and enjoy school and do what we ask her to do.
Answer Dear Mark,
Keep working with the teacher as a team, no matter what. but since you have both tried negative reinforcement and it has not worked, stop that method. Instead try something new, like positive reinforcement. Try something most 5's like. Use a calendar and gold stars for cooperative behavior that she can exchange for something special after earning x number of stars. Try 5 at first, eg. one school week. Use things that are meaningful to her in terms of rewards, whether it is time alone with you, or going to a movie, or playing family games or having a friend over night,...find something motivating that she will work toward. Good luck. Evelyn www.askevelyn.com
