First time to Play school

My son handled it a bit smartly at the age of 3. The school allowed one parent to wait outside for the first couple of days, so that in any case of emergency, we can be there for help.

I stood outside, and my kid knew that I am waiting out there. So he was okay in side. But after almost 1 hr, when everything seemed good, I went home to attend my other kid (just walk able distance though). I informed the teacher, but my son got to know that.
Immediately after I left, he cried and the teacher was able to console him. When I returned, he was sitting inside the class room with one teacher, and the other students were performing some physical exercise in the ground.

I felt sad... Then stayed till he finishes off the class. He turned out to be active and fine on the first day, knowing that I was outside.

At home, I asked my son as to why did he cried there? To which, he replied... I thought you would leave me there permanently... and I would never get to come home again? I felt extremely bad for not informing my child enough about the school, timing and the actual purpose of it.

Well, I would have told him about the school, but never once I thought the need of telling him that I will take him back to home after 11.30 am, so that it is just only a play time for him there.

After getting this assurance of coming back to home, he started loving the school. I just stayed in the school only 1 full day.. The second day, just visited for some times, and then he handled everything alone.

 

Don't worry and be strong. The child is bound to cry for the first few days because he has never been away from you. Tell your child everyday that he will be going to school from now where he will have lots of friends and toys to play with, there will be a teacher who will teach them lots of new things, they can sing songs, dance, etc and it will be lot of fun. If u talk about school in negative terms, he will think of it that way. So do not make any negative associations with the school.

Also, keep the child informed and yes, do tell him that u will be leaving him there for sometime only and then come back and pick him up. This will reassure him and he won't feel lost.

 

Generally playschool staff call up the parents if their child is very restless and constantly crying. They do not forcibly keep the child there bcoz even they understand that a child of that age cannot be forced upon.

 

Good luck to you and do tell us how it went. I need some motivation for sending my DD to child care as well. She is almost the age of you DD. I would really like to know how it went.

 

Yes he will cry and might do that for days. My dd cried for 2 months before she even listened to the teacher. she cried on top of her lungs as soon as we would reach the school. I was also a sahm and she was like my shadow.

But the good news is they will get over it !! It will take some time but they will be fine and enjoy school. my dd is going to Gr 9 and LOVES school