4 Year Old Started Hitting Teachers and Seems to Be Angry a Lot

ok, please don't feel bad, I have twin 3 1/2 year olds that have just started Pre-k also. They hve trouble transitioning as well.
However, one strategy that has worked is for his teachers to reward him when he is good. Each school uses different rewards. Mine uses ticketts that earn them something in a treasure box. "Catch them being good more often" is really the best motto for any kid. Then they will be more apt to continue that good behavior.
There are many reasons why he is hitting and fussing. ( I teach children with behavior probs, so I have encountered this often) One main reason is for atttention. He might miss you and crave that missing att. from mom and has found that they come up to him etc when he acts out. Even if it is negative attention, it is still attention. They might have to ignore behavior, by no eye contact when he is throwing a fit or refusing to clean up. They can just physically prompt him to clean and go to next activity with no verbals. Then walk away without saying anything. (not giving any attention to the behavior). Then when he does it quietly next time, reward, praise, etc.
At home you can use letter magnets on fridge. Use the letters of his name. Everytime he gets a good report from school he adds a letter to spell his name. If he gets a negative report, he gets no letter. (This way it is visual and he can keep track too). At end of week if his name is spelled he earns something that he picked out to work for. (trip to library, toy from dollar store, etc) Has to be highly motivating. "Catch him being good" and reward with praise, an m&m, etc. Don't wait until he is bad to start implementing praise. B/c then he will think if I act out, mom will offer me a treat for me to be good. don't do that. kids pick up fast.
good luck. (my team at school uses this strategy. The team consists of Speech Path, and school Psychologists. So I really know they know what they are talking about.) Be consistent.

My son's teacher implemented a picutre schedule for him. The classroom had a picture schedule of everything they were going to do that day and then my son has his own to carry around with him so he knows what they are going to do next. It reduced his anxiety level and the hitting and tantrums at school have completely stopped! It was a lot of work for the teacher but worth it for her. I am very thankful that she took the time and effort to help him. I am going to be doing one at home also.

Not sure how to help you on the mood changes but I would talk to the teacher and/or the director of the preschool. I do not believe in telling a child they are bad. You can tell them their actions are not good and it's their actions that are bad but they themselves are not bad. That really puts a big dent in their self esteem. Also - she shouldn't be drawing unhappy faces. He should know what the different colors mean - which is a great system. My son's preschool uses it and he knows yellow and red mean his actions were inappropriate. Just my 2 cents worth.

Has he had trouble with transitions before? If it just started, then I would watch him and see if it resolves. If he has other issues, or if you can see a pattern to the anger, then you might consider an evaluation. In the mean time, you should have a meeting with the teacher and see if she will work with him by giving him a way to predict when things will change. Some kids do well with a picture schedule and a warning, some kids can move on if they can jump on a mini tramaline for two minutes, see what works.

Not being able to transition to new school work will be an educational concern, and you can get the initial evaluation through your local school district. If they see needs, you should get a private evaluation so that you have your own.

One suggestion, I never ask my kids why they did something wrong. It gives them the impression that their could be a reason that it is OK. If it is not OK, it is not OK, and why does not matter. Keeps it simple and focused on what matters.

M.

That is so sad. Children are not inherently bad. They have bad behavior. You should report the teacher to the Director. No wonder your kid is struggling. It appears that the teacher is focusing on the negative and not the positive so no wonder your kid is not doing well.

That being said, I have a kid that struggles with transitions. Maybe the teacher can start giving a 5 minute warning prior to the change or my son's school uses a timer. When the timer goes off, my son knows it is time to change activities. It has helped.

Hope you get everything ironed out.