Killing Bugs

[daycare]

DC rules say:

If we are in the bugs home outside, we leave them be. We need to be the one to go away.

If the bugs are in our home, we will help take them outside if we can. If we can't we will **** them up with the vacuum cleaner/smash and in the trash.

I have a back yard full of the peel bugs, the kids call the rollie pollie???

The kids, all but one, have been having a great time with them. They are making RP farms, houses, stores and etc. HOurs have been invested into the kids caring and preparing for these harmless bugs.

I have one DCK who will go over and kill them. She will say I am going to smash your RP, but instead she tears the feet off one by one, and so on.

All of the kids, but her were very upset, a few cried. I made DCK sit in a time out. TOld her we don't HURT anything. Her response was, it's just a bug.

Of course, DCG 3 tells DCP that she had to take a break for too too long at DC (her words) because she smashed a bug.

When I tried to tell them the manor in which it was occurring, the DCP laughed, saying oh yeah, she's not afraid of anything.

I told them that we did not find it funny at the least, several of the kids cried. DCM actually said to me "Oh, now that your classroom is turning to an outdoor setting, are we going to learn about mother nature"?

I bite my tongue and called to the spirits to hold me back.....

I am not even open yet, but I am sure that this will be addressed again today at DO. Am I over reacting about this bug issues or should I stand my ground?

[Blackcat31]

I don't think I would address the killing bugs issue so much as I would address the fact that the point of her behavior seems only to be angering the other kids.

THAT is not acceptable.

She is being mean TO the other kids by doing something she KNOWS will make them upset.

It's no different than kicking over the sandcastle they built in the sandbox...know what I mean? It's not about the sand but that she is behaving like a playground bully.

That is how I would approach the DCP's about it.

[daycare]

I don't think I would address the killing bugs issue so much as I would address the fact that the point of her behavior seems only to be angering the other kids.

THAT is not acceptable.

She is being mean TO the other kids by doing something she KNOWS will make them upset.

It's no different than kicking over the sandcastle they built in the sandbox...know what I mean? It's not about the sand but that she is behaving like a playground bully.

That is how I would approach the DCP's about it.

Yes, I can't agree more.

Normally, if this were something that she was doing, like lets say throwing the baseball in the house (example) and as a rule we don't throw hardballs in the house, I would probably give her a squishy ball to throw instead.

I will use your approach, do you think that I should still allow her to kill the bugs even if she collects her own? This to me sounds deranged.

[NightOwl]

And it's just cruel! That alone would concern me as a parent. Kids who have no empathy and are cruel to animals/bugs sometimes grow up to have some very unsavory characteristics as an adult.

[NightOwl]

I would not allow her to collect her own bugs for a looooong time. She needs to demonstrate that she understands what she's doing is causing severe physical pain and in my eyes, equals torture.

[Blackcat31]

Yes, I can't agree more.

Normally, if this were something that she was doing, like lets say throwing the baseball in the house (example) and as a rule we don't throw hardballs in the house, I would probably give her a squishy ball to throw instead.

I will use your approach, do you think that I should still allow her to kill the bugs even if she collects her own? This to me sounds deranged.

If she collects her own, I would let her simply because you aren't dictating to the other kids what they can and can't do with them...kwim?

While it does seem a bit cruel, kids are kids and they do learn from killing bugs... I know I did my fair share of stomping, squishing and flicking as kid to insects and such..

I guess if it gets out of hand and she seems to be focused soley on terrorizing the bug, I'd put a stop to it but she will more than likely lose interest in killing them when she finds herself playing alone. She will then learn a good lesson in how to play WITH others rather than against them.

I would also encourage her to "check them out" MORE than just hurt them. Give her a magnifying glass and ask her some leading questions. Give her a notebook and ask her to record what sort of footprints the bug leaves in the sand or what types of things the bug can or can't walk on, over or under..etc..

It's great that she is curious and not afraid of bugs but I would ignore her "meanness" as long as it's not done purposely to anger the others and just encourage kind behavior instead.

[Angelsj]

I can't get the image to post.

[daycare]

If she collects her own, I would let her simply because you aren't dictating to the other kids what they can and can't do with them...kwim?

While it does seem a bit cruel, kids are kids and they do learn from killing bugs... I know I did my fair share of stomping, squishing and flicking as kid to insects and such..

I guess if it gets out of hand and she seems to be focused soley on terrorizing the bug, I'd put a stop to it but she will more than likely lose interest in killing them when she finds herself playing alone. She will then learn a good lesson in how to play WITH others rather than against them.

I would also encourage her to "check them out" MORE than just hurt them. Give her a magnifying glass and ask her some leading questions. Give her a notebook and ask her to record what sort of footprints the bug leaves in the sand or what types of things the bug can or can't walk on, over or under..etc..

It's great that she is curious and not afraid of bugs but I would ignore her "meanness" as long as it's not done purposely to anger the others and just encourage kind behavior instead.

Thanks BC those are some great ideas. I did give them the magnifying glass, but did not think to open it more with the journals and open ended questions.

When I was a child I did not like bugs, but now they fascinate me.
My asst told me yesterday that she used to pour salt on a snail and it will bubble up, FRY so she said and die. I told her now I know what it wrong with you....

[daycare]

I can't get the image to post.

that is sooooo cute

[Josiegirl]

I hate it when they smash bugs with no 2nd thoughts. I always try to talk about the bugs outside like this 'Oh let's watch the daddy-long-leg go home so he can have dinner with his brothers and sisters.' And we'll catch bugs sometimes to observe, like watching how ladybugs open their shells and their wings magically appear underneath. We talk about how hard ants work, how they can carry something many times their size. I try to make it fun and interesting for them, as it sounds like you do too.
I'll be the first to admit I'll try to kill wasps or yellow jackets in our play area because I'm trying to avoid anyone getting stung. Including ME!
But I do have 1-2 kids who think bouncing balls on them or squishing them under their shoes is entertainment. Until all the others pipe up and say No! Don't do that!

[My3cents]

DC rules say:

If we are in the bugs home outside, we leave them be. We need to be the one to go away.

If the bugs are in our home, we will help take them outside if we can. If we can't we will **** them up with the vacuum cleaner/smash and in the trash.

I have a back yard full of the peel bugs, the kids call the rollie pollie???

The kids, all but one, have been having a great time with them. They are making RP farms, houses, stores and etc. HOurs have been invested into the kids caring and preparing for these harmless bugs.

I have one DCK who will go over and kill them. She will say I am going to smash your RP, but instead she tears the feet off one by one, and so on.

All of the kids, but her were very upset, a few cried. I made DCK sit in a time out. TOld her we don't HURT anything. Her response was, it's just a bug.

Of course, DCG 3 tells DCP that she had to take a break for too too long at DC (her words) because she smashed a bug.

When I tried to tell them the manor in which it was occurring, the DCP laughed, saying oh yeah, she's not afraid of anything.

I told them that we did not find it funny at the least, several of the kids cried. DCM actually said to me "Oh, now that your classroom is turning to an outdoor setting, are we going to learn about mother nature"?

I bite my tongue and called to the spirits to hold me back.....

I am not even open yet, but I am sure that this will be addressed again today at DO. Am I over reacting about this bug issues or should I stand my ground?

whoaaaa.... Are you unhappy here daycare Mom?

No way should you allow a parent to talk to you in that tone or show lack of respect to you- your tongue should have said something. I too prob would have been shocked, but it would be addressed either phone call or pref verbal at next drop off or pick up. I would express that you expect to be a team and work together not against each other when it comes to issues.

Not nice Mom! UGH!

Stand your ground- It is one thing to squish a nasty bug but it is another to dismantle it one leg at time- If your learning about it you don't harm it at all- You are so in the right.

For the record I am a bug squisher.....esp if inside the house. I don't have it in me to be nice and set it free......esp spiders and things that sting. Ladybugs, and butterflies I don't mind- I fall somewhere in the middle when it comes to bugs- If I had someone that cared enough to capture and set it free I would be all for that and respect that. I also don't make a big deal over it and just get it done quick-

[My3cents]

I don't think I would address the killing bugs issue so much as I would address the fact that the point of her behavior seems only to be angering the other kids.

THAT is not acceptable.

She is being mean TO the other kids by doing something she KNOWS will make them upset.

It's no different than kicking over the sandcastle they built in the sandbox...know what I mean? It's not about the sand but that she is behaving like a playground bully.

That is how I would approach the DCP's about it.

[Josiegirl]

I love that poster, I want one!!

[Blackcat31]

I love that poster, I want one!!

It's not the same picture one but I did find these posters of the same quote:

https://www.etsy.com/search?q=Teaching%20a%20child%20not%20to%20step%20on%20a%20caterpillar%20quote&ship_to=US

[Angelsj]

I love that poster, I want one!!

I have one very close to that hanging up on my bulletin board, after a discussion with a dcm about how leaving fireflies in a jar overnight was OK because they are just bugs. Sigh...