So my ds is 5 and over the years we have chosen to do activities outside of the typical preschool setting. And he has learned so much that is atypical to a school setting. This year I wanted to focus more on a few of the core things in preparation for possibly having to go to kindergarten next year I'm trying to work with him on different skills... And what I'm noticing is that he really doesn't want to try something unless he knows he can already do it. And when he realizes he can't do it he just shuts down. Plus, there's this idea that he has that he doesn't EVER want to go to school.. .that somehow he'll just get to play and play... Although all of his friends go to school... which I sometimes wonder if he feels like an outsider because of it. Now, he does go to a couple classes... music & art... with a teacher and other children by himself. But he says that if he went to school he would be scared and he would be afraid of the teacher... But what I've seen is him staring at the children at the schools and being fascinated with them (when we've done book fairs together at preschools)
I guess I'm wondering 2 things... first how do I help build his ability to learn without that fear of failure, with the confidence to try things and know that it's ok to make mistakes.
And secondly, how do I talk about the choice to stay home in terms of being different from other kids... as a potential cause of his uncertainty and his own confidence.
OR better yet... has anyone experienced these or similar things? What did you do?
I guess I'm wondering 2 things... first how do I help build his ability to learn without that fear of failure, with the confidence to try things and know that it's ok to make mistakes.
And secondly, how do I talk about the choice to stay home in terms of being different from other kids... as a potential cause of his uncertainty and his own confidence.
OR better yet... has anyone experienced these or similar things? What did you do?
