Hi Moms
How long should it take a child to like school?
My daughter started kindergarten in August and, although she seems fine when I pick her up, she says she doesn't want to go every evening, morning and weekend. She did go to preschool for 2 years before so it's not like it's her first time at school.
She is also very tired everyday after I pick her up. When we have playdates with other kindergarteners I notice they aren't as tired. I'm assuming part of it has to do with her endless battle against allergies, but I wondering what else it could be. She gets enough sleep...goes to bed between 7 and 8 and I wake her up at 6:30. She isn't anemic (I had that checked at her well-check).
Thanks for any advice :-)
Kindergarten is way different than preschool. While in preschool she got to play and if she didn't want to do whatever the activity was she was probably allowed to play quietly by herself. In kindergarten these days they actually learn to read, to do math, and many other things. no playing anymore its all learning. she may just not be in the swing yet. is she a young birthday kindergartner? she might have needed to wait a year.
My daughter did this, we couldn't get her to tell us anything for weeks. All she would say was she didn't like 'art' which was confusing, she loves to color. Turns out the other kids would crowd her and she waas getting very anxious. Talk to her teacher and find out if she is having any difficulties or if there are any situations that are making her uncomfortable. Or she may still need a nap (after school if they don't have nap time in school).
Maybe talk to her teacher and see what they do every day. Is there anything that they do that tires her out? Do you feel that the school day is too long for her?
Ask if everyone treats her nicely, and if she has friends.
any chance you can wait another year? Did she recently turn 5? My daughter started Kindergarten this year too, but she had a year of "young 5's" previous to this year and what a difference it has been for her! Young 5's was a full day program too, and she really struggled with being tired too. This year though (she will be 6 at the end of Nov), she is not at all having those same issues. While in Young 5's, I did take her out of school more often (and I wouldn't hesitate to do that now if needed) just so she can have a rested/restful day and so I can just hang out with her more. It's Kindergarten after all..... my primary goal was for her to enjoy school. I knew she would be fine academically... I just wanted her to have fun and enjoy the experience. If it were me, I would probably rethink sending her to school right now (she doesn't HAVE to be in Kindergarten). Or, make arrangements to send her less often until she adjusts (and this may just have to do with time/growing, etc). Good luck!
Don't worry about her not liking it. She has to go anyway. It's a long day for her - I've seen kindergartners fall asleep on the bus, and the bus driver have to pick them up and hand them to the mom - out like a light!!
I hope you can get some help with the allergies - you're right - they wear a person out, child or not! Kindergarten is a lot of work, unlike preschool.
Is your child young for her class? If she is, that could be part of it. If not, just give it time. Hopefully they don't have her doing homework.
As a heads up for the upcoming summer, if she still struggles with fatigue and hasn't "warmed up" to school by the end of this school year, consider getting her a tutor to teach her to read, IF she isn't reading primers fluently by the end of this school year. I wouldn't normally say this, but if she struggles with fatigue, first grade will be really hard, and there is homework in first grade. There's also a lot of stress in reading and writing. If you can make it so she hits the ground running in reading and writing by the time she gets to first grade, using an easier summer schedule, it will really help her.
Handwriting Without Tears by Jan Olsen is a wonderful program to use. My younger son had issues with a weakness in his writing hand, and I took him to an OT who offered a group class using the program. It was great - he learned to write and strengthened his hand at the same time. I did it before kindergarten and all through kindergarten, and part of first grade.
Good luck,
Dawn
This is why I'm so glad that my DD will be almost 6 before she starts and I still worry. I'm her teacher at home (in-home preschool) and her teacher at church since I work in the 4 year old room....
My DD gets really anxious when she is being crowded. She's happiest playing something by herself and when she's crowded, she blows up!
Have you ever considered homeshooling?
Your daughter sounds like my son :0(
