Drop-off Troubles

Kari,

My son was in daycare for a bit and when the episodes like you described happened and after much investigation I took him out and found someone to watch him at home. Mine was a case of the teachers in the toddler "class" were never constant and this confused my kiddo.

But, now that he's 3 and started preschool his Dad and I came up with a routine at his new school of saying 'goodbye' before he's actually in the door. We do kisses and hugs outside and then when he walks into the classroom he's usually okay. But, there are some days when he does not want to go to school, and that's just a toddler thing.

Talk with your daycare provider and see if anything happened. Maybe a teacher left or a classmate moved onto a new room. It might be very simple, but see if they can offer some advice or tips on how they can help you both transition.

Good Luck.

Hi Kari, its normal for kids to act like that, i'm a daycare provider as well,and i have had a couple kids go through that, it will probably be short lived.at the age of 2 they understand the concept of being left, so sometimes they go through the seperation anxity. J.

Kari,

When my son was 3 1/2 he was going to preschool. Everything was fine until one day he said he didn't want to go. He didn't like it anymore. Same thing as you, drop him off crying he didn't like it, pick him up and he was the happiest kid in the world. I finally spoke to the teacher. We both tried to come up with something that was different. She finally realized that about 2 weeks prior one of his good friend's had moved and wasn't coming to school anymore. It took some time for my son to realize his friend wasn't coming back. That is why it took so long for us to figure out the problem. You may want to ask if he has a good friend or teacher that he liked to spend time with that is not there anymore. Hope this helps, I really didn't like the "drop and run" technique either :(

Kari,

He is probably going through a phase. I provide daycare in my home and the little boy I watch went through this phase for about 3 month. He would cry when they droped him off and would cry when they came to pick him because he didn't want to leave. Some days he would run into the other room as soon as he saw his parents at the door but the very next day he would cry when dropped off. I am sure it a phase but all child care providers should have a open door policy and if you are worried I would try and stop by earlier or on your lunch break just to see how things are going. It maybe that there is another child that he isn't getting along with?

Tina

Hi Kari

I'm also a daycare provider, and have seen this many times. It's very normal for this behavior to happen around this age. Separation anxiety is a continuous phase that children go in and out of throughout their lives. Your little boy is at an age now where he knows the routine of the day and what to expect. There may be a few things during his day that he does not like. He will learn to cope and deal with that as he matures a little more. Continue to reasssue him that you love him and will be back to pick him up as always. The phase will pass.

Take care,
P. Smith
Play & Learn Daycare
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