My daughter just started Kindergarten about 2weeks ago..She was in a daycare/preschool program before this...there were days she was fine and others she would cry and the teacher would hold her while I left..and she would just say its cuz she missed me..And I would always reasurre her I would pick her up after nap time...
But now with Kindergarten, she is starting to say she doesnt want to go to school or will say mommy I have to stay home becasuse of such and such reasone..such as her tummy hurts..although 2seconds later she is asking for breakfast...she doesnt fight me on getting ready or hasnt cried yet when being left at school...She says she doesnt like school cuz its boring and they dont get to play alot...
So any suggestions on what to do to get her to like school... I kinda want to kick it in the butt before it actually becomes a problem!!
So I have ordered that book, Kissing Hand from amazon..and I had bribed her with going to the boardwalk if she doesnt cry this past Mon and she didnt and we went..and since then she wants me to drop her off on the side of the shcool where I dont get out and wait with her at all...Thanks for the advice and the teacher says she is absolutely great and no probs!
have you read Audrey Penn's book "The Kissing Hand" with her? It's a real sweet story that has soothed countless kids with new-school anxieties http://www.amazon.com/Kissing-Hand-Audrey-Penn/dp/0878685855
I was shocked when we went through this with our son. He'd been in daycare since he was two and had preschool after that, so I thought the anxiety was long gone. Well, he did great on day one of kindergarten but it was around day four or so when he had a total meltdown. I had to drag him literally kicking and screaming into class. He just got very panicked.
The good news is that is the only time it happened. He griped all the way through kindergarten (too much drawing and writing and no math) ... complained about going all the time, but went. I would talk up school on the way there ... you'll get to see your friends, I packed a cool snack today, etc. Focus on what she does like about school. Also commiserate about things she doesn't like ("When I was in kindergarten, I wished we had more play time, too. My parents always made sure I got more play time at home. Let's try to do that, too, ok?") Acknowledge her concerns while reassuring her at the same time.
Our son is in first grade now and doesn't even want me to walk him to class. He still complains about school but hops out of the car with a smile on his face in the morning. It really can improve a lot over time.
Good luck!
Bolth my kids are going through this this year. My daughter is in First Grade (same school as last year, half of her same classmates, she's sensive). My Son is in a PreK program for the first time. I've found that if I drop them off, give them a quick hug, kiss both hands (Kissing Hand), and be off on my way, the crying is much less dramatic. Turns out they both have great times while they are at school! And, after nearly three weeks, both of them are doing much better!
Take a DEEP breath and realize that this is normal. Make sure you have plenty of time to give her 2 or 3 hugs when you drop her off but then be FIRM, "Mommy has to go now, have FUN"! Give her a big smile and go. Ask her teacher, she will probably say that there are no issues. It is amazing the histrionics kids will go through while mom is around and yet settle down once mom is gone!
I don't think there's anything you can do to get her to "like" school, but you need to be firm with her that there's no choice being offered here -- she has to go to school, just like all kids have to go to school, because going to school is their "job." If you consistently respond to her complaints with "you have to go to school," she will eventually stop complaining.
You might also want to check in with her teacher, and find out if there's anything in particular that the teacher has noticed that's bothering your daughter, or if there's anything the teacher can suggest you do to help her get comfortable.
