«I wish teachers wouldn't explain so much in one go»

I tell

9-year-old Julin would be happy if things were quieter in his class and the teacher took more time. In his favourite subject, maths, however, he understands everything, even without listening.

Dear Julin, will you tell us about yourself?

I am 9 years old and in the third grade. I like acrobatics and playing badminton. I'm also interested in animals and numbers, even the big ones. I like watching programmes like «Once upon a time there was a man» or «Once upon a time there was life» because I want to know all the connections: how, where, what, why, how long? I always had a favourite topic in kindergarten, for example Titanic or the knights. Once I let ice water into the bathtub and bathed in it. I wanted to know how cold it was in the water when the Titanic sank.

What do you think of the school so far?

I didn't like the kindergarten very much. The nursery school teacher often scolded me. When people scold me for not paying attention, I just don't really listen to what they say and forget it straight away. I then want to forget it again. Fortunately, my class teacher is different now. She has often explained things to me again on her own at my desk. I could always ask my bench neighbour Anouk if I didn't understand something and he helped me. Yes, and now I like going to school. I always look forward to the free activities, sport, design and the breaks with my friends.

What do you find easiest at school?

Maths, because I usually understand it on my own, even without listening. Also creative things, because I can even help others sometimes. And sport, for example when we build an obstacle course.

And what is difficult for you?

Waiting, sitting still and listening or doing things I don't want to do. This is most difficult in German and English. The teacher usually explains something and if I haven't understood it, I ask. It annoys me when she then says «Read it again.» - I don't understand it! I also find writing and spelling difficult: when does a word have an ie or an h?

What would you wish for the school?

That the teachers don't explain so much in one go! And that it would be quieter in the classroom because I could concentrate better then.

What happens to you when you can't concentrate?

So suddenly something comes into my head. Then I only think about it and no longer about what I should be doing. It mainly happens to me just before the end of school or when I've solved problems incorrectly and need to improve them. The teacher usually notices and tells me to get on with it. I'm also not good at doing homework if there's no one sitting next to me, I tend to wander off. It's better if someone is sitting in the same room or next to me at the table and is also working. In after-school care, a carer usually sits next to me.

And at home?

It often happens when I have to do something, e.g. put the clothes in the laundry basket or pick them up after a shower. I forget about it straight away! The clothes are then just lying around on the floor. My parents find that annoying. Sometimes I forget my gym bag or scooter somewhere and then have to run back to get it.

I'm sure there are things you can do really well.

That's right. Adults are sometimes amazed at how quickly I can calculate difficult maths problems from everyday life or they are amazed at how firmly I can concentrate on goals. Last year, I really wanted to jump from the 10 metre board and practised all summer until I could do it. My friends say I'm nice, don't bother others and have a funny sense of humour. I can also remember details from many years ago. And I'm very good at making faces.

Read more about dreamy children:

  • «In deinem Gehirn ist etwas kaputt»
    Sindy Schenk, 39, lebt mit ihrer Tochter, 6, und ihrem Mann im Kanton Aargau. Die gelernte Erzieherin war ein sehr verträumtes Kind und hat in ihrer Schulzeit schlechte Erfahrungen gemacht. Heute erkennt sie sich in ihrer Tochter wieder.
  • «Alle ärgern ihn und sagen, er sei ein Träumer»
    Raffaela, 38, lebt mit ihrem Mann Metin, 43, und dem gemeinsamen Sohn Can, 7, in Luzern. Weil Can oft unkonzentriert ist, in der Schule nicht zuhört, hat die Lehrerin eine Abklärung auf ADS empfohlen.
  • Verträumte Kinder in der Klasse
    Stille Kinder, die Schwierigkeiten haben, sich auf den Unterricht zu konzentrieren gehen im ­Schulalltag häufig unter. Wie es Lehrpersonen gelingen kann, diese Kinder dort abzuholen, wo sie stehen, zeigen die folgenden Beispiele aus dem Schulalltag.
  • Verträumte Kinder unter Druck
    Sich konzentrieren, zuhören, selbständig arbeiten: Manchen Schulkindern bereitet das grosse Mühe. Warum neigen Kinder zum Tagträumen? Wie gehen Eltern und Lehrpersonen am besten mit einem verträumten Kind um? Und wie schaffen es Familien, im Alltag innezuhalten und gemeinsam zu träumen?
  • So unterstützen Sie verträumte Kinder
    Kleine Träumer sind kreativ und fantasievoll, aber oft vom Alltag überfordert. Und in der Schule wird ihre Neigung zum Problem. Wie Eltern ihrem verträumten Kind helfen und es unterstützen können.
  • Krafttraining für den Willen
    Was hilft, damit wir an einer Aufgabe hartnäckig dranbleiben, Ziele weiterverfolgen, auch wenn der Weg dorthin steinig ist? Ein haushälterischer Einsatz und das bewusste Trainieren unserer Willenskraft.
  • Mein Kind trödelt!
    Wenig bringt Eltern so sehr auf die Palme wie Kinder, die trödeln. Warum kann sich die Tochter nicht einfach anziehen und an den Frühstückstisch kommen? Wie man Trödlern sanft auf die Sprünge hilft.