My daughter is nearly 4 and we have started her at a local preschool one day a week. She was really excited about going. when I picked her up after her first day she started to cry and now says she doesn't ever want to go back. The teachers said she was fine through the day, although had a few tears at meal times and wanted to go home. Did anyone else have trouble getting their child to settle in to preschool and what did you do to help you child overcome their fears and how long did it take for them to settle in. I feel horrible to make her go as she has always had huge seperation anxiety issues and I feel I am going to "damage " her in some way by forcing her.
Keep sending her. The preschool will help her to settle in. Tears are to be expected as it is new and she was probably very tired by the end of the day. With every new change, there is going to be a period of adjustment, for everyone, so expect that you are going to have some issues for a little while.
When you drop her off, wait until one of the teachers gets her involved with an activity, wave bye bye to her and walk out.
When you pick her up, get her to show you what she has been doing through the day. It makes you feel a part of it, and she will be proud to show you herself.
Most kid's go through separation anxiety no matter how old they are. I'm a Pre-school teacher and I promise you as long as she is happy for most of the day, she will settle down. Kid's that are going through separation anxiety will get upset at transition times through the day and also set activities where they have to participate, so that's morning tea, lunch time, group time and pack away time. Both my boys went trhough this even though they went to where I work, although I didn't work on those days, due to the anxiety they were going through, My oldest went through it for weeks, he just got into the habit of crying where as my youngest would through tantrums and get angry.......both ended up loving it.
If you're happy and comfortable and trust the teachers then I would definately leave her there, she will do the same in any other centre. Just make sure when you drop her off to do the 'drop and run' for the first few weeks until she settles down. She will cry but it will help her to settle down much quicker. Also as she is old enough to understand time tell her you'll be back after lunch or at afternoon tea time this will giver something to identify when you come back.
OKAY so I typed out an answer and it disappreared..LOL
I would say give it some more time. It is completely normal for this to occur. With time she will get used to the schedule, make friends and learn to LOVE it. I have seen lots of kids react like this.
In the 10 years that I taught K-5 I have never had a child go more than a week with the crying. With time she will become much more comfortable.
If you TRUST the teachers in that they are saying she is fine all day, then go for it, keep it up and it will get better.
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