Son Feeling Sad About Kindergarten

Funny - I was just talking to my dad (he's 73) about school experiences and he told me that he hated kindergarten for the first week or so. He and another boy - who had the same name - sat next to each other and cried non-stop for the first day and on and off the whole week. Eventually they started talking to each other and things got better.

For my daughter I gave her a small token from home to carry in her pocket and a tiny piece of her blankie that smelled like me (I have kids who really relate to smell - kinda weird but works for them). Anyway, something tangible to make him feel better.

Good luck - seeing them so sad is hard.

Oh I am sorry, We want our kids to always be happy. This is an adjustment for him. He is feeling a little lost.

Our daughter is very shy. At this age she could not even ask to play with others.. So the fact that your son asks is great! For next time remind him when some says I am already playing with someone , you son can see, lets all play together. Also ask him to look around for others that look like they are having fun and ask if he can join them.. Not to be discouraged.

Kinder is more difficult than daycare because they are not Just playing. They are having to remember new rules, new schedules, and a whole new group of people. It takes a lot of energy to stay focused all day. He could be super tired. Make sure he is getting plenty of rest,

Maybe in his lunch box if he can read send him a note.. or draw him a little picture. Ask him, who did you sit next to today at lunch? What was in their lunch?

When you do speak of school, play up the good parts. Ask questions like, "what story did your teacher read? What did you do after lunch? What play area of the classroom did you get to play in?"

Also see if you can get a schedule of what their day is, so you have a better idea of what all he is doing and learning. It can guide the conversations.

He is going to be fine. It is just a big change for him. He is going to find his groove soon. Just stay positive.

When my son started pre school, he thought the teacher didn't like him.
The teacher had NO IDEA he felt this way.
He went through this phase where when a teacher corrected him or explained a rule to him, he took it very personally and he thought she didn't like him.
Once I explained to the teacher that he needed a little 'make up and be friends' time once the rules were explained she totally understood and it totally solved any problems they were having.
Sometimes it's hard to figure out what's going on.
Keep doing what you're doing and it will work out alright sooner or later.

going through same thing.

has it only been two days? or a week and two days? You def need to give more time to adjust. Then make an apt. to talk to his teacher about his adjustment she should know what is going on and have suggestions to help.

Awww....this is going to take time. It's a whole new bag.
He'll get into the swing of it and encourage him to ask "Can I join in?" when other kids are playing. My son was pretty shy in K, but that sentence helped him a lot. Lots of kids have tears through the first week or 2 of K.
Check in with the teacher every week.
I would doubt that the teacher is mean or anything, usually K teachers have a lot of compassion for kids.
Oh--another thing--make sure to tell him that it's OK for him to have fun at school and that you want him to. Sometimes kids feel that they are 'betraying' their parents by liking a teacher and/or school.
Encourage him to learn someone's name every day.
Hang in there.

Were you a stay at home mom before this? Has he had Pre K brfore this?

If you were with him at home before this, then he will need more time to adjust.

If this is about friends make out invitations for a Breaking the ice party this weekend. Have the kids over, meet at the park, something for the kids to interact with out the teacher.

The hours with out Mom are hard to count when you cannot tell time, ask the teacher what event happens right before you get him, snack, art, freetime? and tell him Mommy will be there after %$#%^

See how that works, then talk to him everyday about school in a fun possitive way. (you need to get the details of his day to form an idea of other issues that might be going on)

My son started pre-k and LOVED it then the assistant teacher had to leave and one of the other kids Mom's took over (volunteer) so when my son accidently hurt her son in class she had it out for him. He was 4 and was placed in the thinking chair daily (breaking the tip of a marker, taking too long to wash his hands ect) I had a meeting with the program director and after that the occurances in the thinking chair deminished. He is now in 3rd grade and LOVES school, but I can remember him BALLING everytime he had to go to school.

Good Luck.

It is hard...both of my younger ones had a hard time. My daughter would cry during the whole entire Sunday school program...everyone could hear her. It would break my heart. Eventually we just kept pushing and it just fixed itself. I think anytime there is a change some kids have a difficult time. I don't think I would change the teacher because then you will be teaching him that if he cries he can have what he wants and unfortunately, we know life does not work that way....just keep trying and give positive reinforcement. www.livegreeneasy.com