It seems to me that the parent is excusing the boy's unacceptable behavior because the teacher touched his arm. The boy was out of control in that he disobeyed a teacher's direct order to stay put. There is a BIG difference between touching a child's arm in order to obtain his/her attention and yanking on a child's arm. We are not talking about abuse - we are talking about a child ignoring a teacher and willfully walking away and then announcing that what he has planned takes priority over what the teacher has planned. And, apparently, the boy's parent is OK with handing that kind of power to a young child.

Not OK.

Teachers have a tough job. Most teachers really care about what they do and they feel passionate about teaching. Teachers don't deserve to be treated this way by over indulged children and clueless parents.

My child would be facing serious concequences for ignoring a teacher.