Preschool woes

My 2nd ds who will be 3 in late October started preschool 2 days a week on Tuesday. He isn't happy about it.

He is excited going but once he is there and mommy has to leave he screams. He screamed for the entire 2 hours on Tuesday nothing would console him there. Then the teacher suggested we do shortened periods to transition him in but today he screamed for the entire 45 minutes. When the teacher tries to console him or distract him he gets more upset. Anyone have experience or advice. I'm wondering if I should wait longer for him to start school, but I think the structure might be good for him in the long run. I am so torn. It breaks my heart to hear him scream like that.

TIA

Re: Preschool woes

I started DS in a 2 days per week 2 year old program last year. He cried every day for a month (I think). Just as I was about to pull him out, he started to walk in without looking back and he loved it.

I would give it a few more tries. Good luck!!

Re: Preschool woes

Give it just a few more tries, maybe 4-5?

Re: Preschool woes

I would pull him out but thats just me. I started my 3 year old at preschool this week and thankfully he loves it but he had shed one tear I would have taken him out - he doesn't need to go there so why upset him? Maybe try him in a few months - a few months at this age makes a huge difference.

Preschool woes

While I understand the argument of he doesn't need to be there, if you take him out now, he learns that if he cries he gets to stay home. School is a big adjustment for many kids and affects them in many ways. Give it a few more tries. Try sending him with a picture of the family that he can look at and maybe a special item from you to keep in his pocket (just have a back-up or not so unique item in case it gets lost). Read 'The Kissing Hand' with him. Ask him why he is upset and try to calm his fears and anxieties as best you can. Keep trying for at least a few weeks. If he is really unable to handle it then pull him out but he needs to spend enough time there to know it is a safe place for him to be.

Preschool woes

I would give it a week and see if it improves. If not, maybe pull him out, and sign up for a separation program. It's where the parent is included for a period of time, then the parent leaves for a bit. That way he is easing into it, not just thrown in there.

We had a crier in pre-k last year. He cried almost everyday for the entire year. I felt sooo bad for him, and I know the teacher's were beyond frustrated. It's also disruptive to the rest of the children there.

Re: Preschool woes

I agree! My daughter is in her second week of preschool and she still cries everytime I drop her off. I know that she has a blast once I leave. I would give it a couple of more weeks. Is there anyway you could do two days back to back, such as a Tuesday Wednesday? That one day in between might just make it harder.

Re: Preschool woes

It took my DD 4 weeks before she was ok, but she was consolable. I would give it a few more classes and maybe pull her out and I normally wouldn't suggest it because I went through a lot with DD. she went 2 days a week for 2.5 hours a day.
Would you be able to stay and slowly lessen how long you are there?

Re: Preschool woes

Message edited 9/16/2012 9:34:04 PM.

Re: Preschool woes

I would give him some more time. It is a big adjustment for him

Re: Preschool woes

If he just started last week, I'd give it a little more time. DS was very much like this but he was OK after a week. I wouldnt say he ever loved school but he tolerated it and it did him a world of good.

I feel for you because I know how hard that is

Re: Preschool woes

I spoke to the principal today and we agreed to give him a little break and try again in a month or two. He was screaming yesterday again.

Thanks for the comments

Preschool woes

I had the same thing with my son at 3 yrs old. Is he crying because of separation anxiety? The school suggested switching teachers for my son (evidently it wasnt a good match) and that did the trick. Im sorry u pulled him out because my guess is now hes going to flip out even more when he goes back. I hope not but i would look into the teacher he had. At 3 he may not be able to express that to u. If its separation than I would work on that at home...like leaving him with a neighbor or babysitter for short spurts to get used to the fact that u will always come back for him. Good luck!