Kindergartner Help

Hi
I use to work of Even Start at Nichols Jr High, I was responsible for the 2 year olds. I had a little boy from Iran, and for 5 months he refused to stay in class with me, he would scream for so loud and so long, and his mother would always, always relent and not let him stay. One day his Father dropped him off and told me that he had no other choice but to stay that day.
He immediately went into an uncontrollable cry.
Honestly I prayed!
and this was what happened.
while yet crying, I began to rub him in his back in an upward motion, until he allowed me to pick him up, but he kept crying----I walked outside with him, so that he could look in the parking lot and see for himself that mama and daddy were not there-----as I walked with him in the parking lot I reassured him the his parents loved him and would never just give him away to me----they would be back to get him shortly. HE STOPPED crying and came back to class and stayed with me for the rest of the day.
when his parents came he was so so happy. He gave me a hug and left.
His parents tried it again the next day---it worked
he stayed with me for the rest of the school year, but if he came and i was not there he would cry uncontrollably.
As the responsible abult I had to give him my undivided attention until the problem was resolved. I had to do this willingly and with much patience and comfort and understanding.
He was from Iran--his mother spoke no english!

Like others have suggested..."The Kissing Hand" book is wonderful. My daughter just started 1st grade and they read this book on the first day. Don't want to give too much of the book away, but every morning we kiss the palms of each other's hand. See if your local library has it. If not, Amazon.com has it.

I'm a kindergarten teacher and there is a book that I always read to my kids that might help. It's called The Kissing Hand. It's worth a try :-)

You might try sending her to school with a picture of you or with a stuffed animal. I would think that the teacher would have some suggestions. But you could visit with the principal or the counselor and come up with a good solution for your little girl and the school. Maybe the counselor could monitor her during the morning and help comfort her, etc...since the teacher is probably busy with a lot of other kids. Good Luck :)

You could give her a medal to wear around her neck on a chain. Whenever she feels
sad, or afraid, she could reach for it and sort of rub it and let it remind her of your love for her, or God's love for her. The medal could have a heart on it, or another image that is meaningful. Let her know that the medal is for her because she is a good student, and she is being very brave and growing into a wonderful young person by going to school.

I have seen this work with a 2nd grader who had a lot of learning problems. Her mother gave her a smooth medal and she would take it out and just sort of rub it and it helped her take her mind off the fear. Another idea would be aromatherapy: essential oil-permeated cloth perhaps in a plastic baggy that she could take out and smell: lavender is nice but try one or two to see what she likes. Again tell her to remember that she is being very brave and growing up into a wonderful girl by going to school. Good luck!

I also agree, "The Kissing Hand" is great. My daughter's K teacher read this on the first day. She had sent home a letter asking parents to kiss their child's palm in the morning before dropping her off. Also, have you contacted the school counselor? She (or he) may have some good suggestions. As a former teacher, I cannot stress enough the wonderful resource that your school counselor can be.
Good luck!

Kathy

Buy the book, "The Kissing Hand". I'm a Kindergarten teacher, & I always read that book to my students on the 1st day of school. And, the ones that cried to leave their parents usually don't cry anymore after they hear that story. The story addresses their fears as well as giving them reassurance that Mom & Dad will still be there after school.

Hi M.,

My daughter is having the same problem with her 6 year old son whi is in 1st grade. This is what she and his teacher's have come up with and it has worked. He doesn't mind going to school now.

If he is having a bad day he is allowed to call mommy at work to help calm him down. If he is behaving himself and is having a very good day then his reward is to call is mommy at work. They have moved on past the telephone calls, at his request, because he has finally adapted to the classroom setting.

Good luck...I hope this has been of some help.

W. Q

This is always a sensitive time of the year. You know that this will have to be made the new routine this year or next so might as well keep moving forward with it. I did find that acting overly excited about their day seemed to help our daughter. Each morning she nearly always wanted to stay with mommie for the day but I acted very excited about what she was going to do at school and tell me all about when I picked her up. I told her that if she felt like crying to pretend that I tickled her and quit really quick. I told her that when it was time to pick her up that I would run really quick to the door and we would be soooo excited together and we'd tell each other what we both did during the day. Remind her to do lots of good work and have fun when playing with her new friends so she can tell you all about it! It will definitely get easier as the year progresses. Good luck!!!

My daughter for half the year let her "Mr. Ducky" hide in her back pack at school. It made her feel like she was not alone at school. We did make it clear that he could go to school as long as he stayed in her back pack. She did get to share him at show and tell one time. I helped a whole lot. Best to you and your daughter.

Try reading her the book "The Kissing Hand." It is the story of a little raccoon who was sad to go to school and leave his mama. His mama gives him a kiss to hold in his hand to remind him of her love throughout the day. You could try the same kissing hand. My son's first grade teacher read this story to them on the first day of school and send home paper for mom/dad to trace their hand on. At school the kids cut out and decorated the hands to keep in their desks to remind them of their parent's love while at school. Good luck! It will get better!

God put children with parents for a reason...have you considered homeschooling? I am so thankful that I have not had to send my little ones away from me :)

I had the same problem with my youngest this year. We read the book "The Kissing Hand" (which worked really well). I also like to bribe her a little. Like if you have a good day at school today and don't cry mommy will play dolls with you tonight. Or if you have a great week we will go get ice cream Friday night.

I was clueless this year because she is the youngest of 4, but this has worked so far.

Hope I helped in some way. ;)

Some people I know don't start their kids in Kindergarten until they are six. maybe she just isn't mature enough for it yet. Any way you could pull her out and enroll her next year?