OK so my daughter will turn 5 sept 3rd and will start K this year, she did pre-k and for the 1st week or two she cried for the 1st 10 or 15 minutes of the day (she only did 3 days per week so I think that made the adjustment harder), it stopped and then she would just be bummed a little each morning, although when I picked her up she'd beg to stay. Also sh would ask not to go the night before, to which she always got a no....if my ex dropped her off, they said there would be no crying and she wouldn't be bummed, but he will only be dropping her off on Mondays sooo I'm nervous, what do they do in public K if a kid cries...she will be in before and after care thats run out of the cafetieria where they do games and play 1st thing as well....and then go to K and then after care out of the caf....so 5 days a week from 7:30-5pm. When I talk to her about it shes soooo excited so I plan on to keep talking in the next 2 weeks, and possibly bring her to lpay on their playground a few times so shes familiar....but gosh I'm scared
Thanks for suggestions and imput
I promise, they won't J. let her sit there and cry. They will have a way to distract her and get her involved in activities, and before you know it, she'll love it! She's J. getting used to being out in the world...she'll do okay. :)
Teachers are pretty used to this and each one has his or her way of working through the "first day jitters", which often last the first week or two. I know it's hard to do, but try not to let your nerves become hers! If she's picking up on your anxiety, she's going to think that there's something to be worried about.
Be positive and be consistent. If you are going to drop her off at before care, then do it the same way every day. Same thing with pick up. Let her get into the routine before you schedule an appointments or changes.
She's going to love it! New house, new school... what a way to start her year!
I think you'll find it a bit like Pre-K. They really DO get into it pretty quickly--backpacks, folders, etc.
It's nice that they have the extended day right there. Eliminates the bus issue, etc.
My son had a friend who literally had to be pulled from the car and...um...guided to his classroom every morning for months. They've had/seen/dealt with it all before. And K teachers are a nice mix of teacher, mom & angel....so she'll be OK. :)
Keep talking it up. If she could meet the teacher before school starts that might be nice. Our school does that--especially for the littler ones (K,1st).
never let your kids see you sweat....as they mature, you can begin sharing more & more of your emotions with them.
With that said, KG will go as the PreK did. J. relax & trust the staff to do their job. Be positive & upbeat.....& your daughter will follow your lead.
There will be kids who will cry - even in 1st and 2nd grade. Teahcers, especially kindergarten teachers, are fully expecting and know how to soothe teary kids. Even in the cafeteria early drop off - the teachers aides know how to help the teary kids.
It does happen - and it may or may not happen with your kid. My daughter was in day care from age 1 - and although she didn't cry on day one in her new school (she began in 1st grade at public school) she did walk in to that classroom with a backward glance fully expecting doom... We love that photo because her face says it all... PS - she didn't shed a tear that day (she did other days) but as we walked to our car my husband shed a few.
Sounds like you're already doing all the right things. Someone will be there to comfort her, and she will eventually get more comfortable with the routine.
Best wishes =o)
All kids get nervous before the first day of school! I J. dropped my 2nd and 4th graders off for their first day of school today, and they were nervous - even though they've been doing this for years now, and they know all the kids in their classes! But, new year, different teacher, new line to stand in at school. I told them it's normal to feel a little nervous, because that's your body's way of telling you to pay attention!
Anyway, we saw all the cute little Kindergarteners being dropped off in the Kinder yard this morning, and some of them were crying (parents, too! LOL). The teachers are used to this. Don't worry! They have a plan in place, and believe M., 10 minutes into the school day they will have your DD so busy she won't remember to cry! ;) J. drop her off, give her a big cheerful hug, tell her to have a wonderful day, and LEAVE. Don't linger, it J. makes things worse. Your little girl will be in good hands with her new teacher.
Good luck, mama! I'm convinced that Kinder drop-off on that first day is WAY worse for us moms than it is for the kids!
My daughter had a horrible start to preschool too. And also complained her whole year. I was very worried her start to Kindergarten would be the same. But to my surprise she handled it really well, even without tears! She was still very nervous along with excited. But to my surprise she adjusted right away and without a problem. I think it J. gets better every year.
She'll be fine:) Kindergarten teachers are used to this. The best thing for you to do is be there for her until class lets in (if your school allows it) and then J. leave her. The staff will take care of her. Honestly, parents have a harder time with kindergarten then the kids themselves. Before you know it, she'll be asking that you J. drop her off because she'll want to be with her friends:) They learn independence in kindergarten.
Good luck and bring your camera to take pictures:)
Hi, Jen:
I understand your trepidation. It is normal for an adjustment period after a change in life circumstances.
Give an empathetic listening ear and give comfort profusely until the adjustment phase is over.
Children learn to self soothe so they can learn ways to manage their stress when they are older.
Good luck.
D.
