Great answer by Lesson Pop...

My background is in working with teens....most who have been labeled with something or other and/or otherwise considered 'deviantly curious'.

I would say that nothing is wrong with your grandson. He is a little boy who probably lives in a household where he is encouraged to connect and engage with his environment. Unfortunately, in a classroom if you are not 'quiet' while the teacher is talking then you probably are thrown in the same grouping as kids with disciplinary problems.

In the home - you or someone can speak to him that in school and sometimes in other public settings, sometimes the rules are a little different than at home. So for instance, when the teacher is talking he should be listening. I think he needs an action word as opposed to being told to be quiet which is more negative and places a bit of hierarchy in the relationship.

Additionally, give him a small notebook or something that he can use like a journal. And tell him to make observations in his class. What types of things did he think of during the day? What were his feelings about what was happening? What did he like? What did he not like?

In the school - I think that you should speak to his teacher and tell him/her that you are working on ways to address the talking issue but at the same time you do not want to completely cut off his natural curiosity and socialization skills. Sitting in a classroom8 hours a day with few times you can talk will drive any person crazy regardless of age.

Granted he might be 'distracting to the other kids', a greater challenge is when kids are in an environment when they are punished for talking (the line is too thin for kids to know the difference) for when to speak out and when not to speak out. You risk them not speaking out about challenges or issues they are dealing with in school and them being afraid to talk in general because they see something 'bad' as happening to them whenever they speak.  So his teacher needs to meet him halfway. Some things she can possibly do:


1. Move his desk to the front closer to her desk or to the front of the room. Maybe he simply wants a little more attention.

2. Give him more 'independent' and creative projects he can do during this time if he finishes his work.

3. Since he likes to talk, let him assist in teaching some of the sessions or leading some of the activities.

Good luck with your situation. Hope it works out to the benefit of your grandson.