Anyone else having their first day at preschool/kindergarten? - Page 2

[alwayslearning2]

unsure about preschool for 2 1/2 year old

I am soooooooooo aganizing over whether or not I was right to sing up my two year old ( march 02) THe trial week of summer camp was tough, he didn't want to get into the car, out of the car when we got there, and I felt as if i was betraying him! He had fun while there ( i think) but now while we are waiting for schoold to begin ( one week) he says he dosen't want to leave the house. We even says "I want to stay home' when I ask if he wants to go to the park. He seems restless and confused, I hope I haven't danaged his trust, and i worked sooooooooo hard to prevent him from developing learned helplessness!!! Does anyone who is attatchment parenting friendly have a background in shild psych?????????? I don't want ot push him, but he also will love using the montessori materials!

[mom2august]

My son just turned two and started preschool today. I stayed with him the whole time - the only mother who did. The teachers did not have a problem with it but I have received so many comments from people about it. I just am not sure if it the right thing. He really likes playing with other kids and although I am a SAHM and do try to arrange play dates, I though maybe this would be more consistent and also give me some time to get things done around the house , if and when I do leave him there. My main fear is that he will feel abandoned and scared and secondly, I fear he will somehow escape and get hurt. The school is located on a very busy street.

The comments I am hearing, mainly from my sister who is very mainstreamed in her parenting beliefs, are things like, " you have to leave him so he can learn to fend for himself." Can you imagine thinking such a thing about a two year old? I wonder if two is too young...

[OhTheThinks.....]

My dd has been attending a "mommy and me" type class once a week at a Montessori school. Parents are required to stay, so no problem there. I think just follow your gut, your heart, and that little voice inside ! You and your child will know when he/she are ready to start the "leave alone at school phase". I so far plan to start at age 3. Part of my reason is the Montessori theory was initially geared for the ages of 3-6 anyway. Also a big issue for my husband is that dd must be "talking" enough so that we understand what she is saying, and can "report" aobut school and anything that happens/happened. See if your school offers a class like that, also many do let you become the "class mom". Lastly if after a week of trying to get your little one to "go" to school with out you, and they are still have a very difficult transition, I would say it was too soon. Don't worry two is still very early to start "real school", it tends to be more of "daycare" at that point it seems anyway.
Now having said that, if you want to or need to get your little one in school now, try other opportunities of leaving your little one. Start with playdates with a trusted friend. Also try maybe half day of school versus a whole day.
Take care

[steph]

mom2august - I know that for me, two would have been too young. Even now that dd's three, I have moments where I'm wondering if I should wait a little longer. Don't get me wrong, I think she's going to enjoy school - otherwise I wouldn't have signed her up. But, the shift from being home with me all day every day to being at school three mornings a week will be big (at leaste for me!). I'm in my forties, and when I was little, there wasn't even any pre-school. You started kindergarten at age 5 (or really late 4 in my case) and that was that. Everyone just was at home with their mom or other caregiver. I don't know when the trend began to start sending kids to school earlier and earlier began. Honestly, if all of dd's friends weren't in school (thereby prompting the question from her regularly "when am I going to school?"), I probably would have waited another 6 months to a year.

I agree, go with your gut. If it doesn't feel right, change the situation. Or stay with him in school. Just follow your instincts - you know your child. Best wishes!