adjustment to preschool (x-posted in childhood years)

[flatstanley72]

DD, who is 3, is going to a parent-coop preschool 2 days a week for 2.5 hrs at a time. She just started, so has only been twice. Although she does not cry when I leave, she does ask for me and cry some while I am gone. She doesn't seem distressed when I pick her up and seems like she wants to go, but it bothers me to think of her there crying and asking for me. I'm not sure whether I should give it more time, or maybe she just isn't ready and we should take her out and wait until she is older. Any thoughts?

[goodygumdrops]

I think that it is going to be really hard for her to adjust to a childcare environment given that she is going for so few hours. Usually it's better for them to go 9-12, Monday to Friday. Kids are very reliant on routine and it's going to be very disruptive for her to go for so little time and so sporatically.

Honestly though, she's only been twice so your can expect some seperation anxiety. However, I would just be aware that it could be harder on her given the schedule.

gl

[Tjej]

In our area, preschool for 3 yo's is usually like you are describing. I think that since your DD isn't seeming too stressed about it, it'd be good to continue with the choice you made to have her in preschool. Set a time in a few months (perhaps the New Year) to re-evaluate and take her out if she hasn't settled in. Of course if things go totally off or something you could re-evaluate sooner, but new things do take everyone some time to adjust. Even when I like something new, it is NEW, and sometimes that can be stressful for a while.

Think about the reasons that you chose to put her in preschool. Those reasons are still there. If she has loving and supportive teachers, it can be a very positive thing for her.

HTH

Tjej

[annettemarie]

Please see the poster's thread in The Preschool Years forum.