[trimomma]

Ds started 1st grade (he's 6yo) at a M school yesterday. This is the first time he's been in a M school. He did a two week orientation program with the school during the summer and *loved* it, and the orientation teacher told me he would transition into the M environment very well.

Fast forward to today and yesterday. He cried when I dropped him off both days. Yesterday, his teacher told me he cried once or twice during the day. I picked him up today and he told me he didn't want to go to the school anymore because he began crying today and the teacher said something (still not sure what she said or what the context was) to him about crying. Ds said she wasn't angry, but he thought she looked frustrated with him.

At the end of the 6 week probationary period (or before that, even), I'm worried they're going to say it isn't working out (even though summer orientation went well and they said it would be a good fit) because ds may not be as independent as they feel would be necessary.

The thread in this forum regarding whether or not 5yo is too old to start M has me thinking and worried about our situation, also.

I'd really love it if any M teachers/parents/whoever has any feedback for me regarding the expecations of behaviors for the students. I feel I've tried to educate myself as much as possible on M education, but I'd like some feedback from others.

**As an aside, ds is very focused, intense, kind and thoughtful (to name a few

). His sensitivity is usually the only 'obstacle' we encounter with him.

Thanks!!

 

[Lillianna]

This sounds like a couple tough days for the both of you. The only help I can offer at this point is to say, "Try to stay positive and matter-of-fact about the adjustment and hopefully this will all smooth itself out." He may have felt embarrased by crying at class. I thought of a few questions to consider.
Did he cry when he went to the summer orientation? If not, what is different?
Does he have any friends in the class? How does he/how do you like the Directress?
Does he know about this "probationary period"? It sounds like he may be anxious about it.
How do you feel about his level of independence? Do you feel like he can be successful in this environment?
Was he in another preschool or has he been home until now?
Good luck. Seeing that his mother trusts the Directress, together with your confidence in his success will go a long way in helping him adjust.

 

[trimomma]

Thank you, Lilliana, for your response. Drop-off today was *horrible*, but ds stopped crying before he got to the classroom. The Directress has been spending a lot of time with him in the class and he likes/trusts her. She told me he does fine during the day, sometimes gets a little weepy when he has a few quiet minutes without work/distraction. This afternoon when I picked him up, he looked so much more relaxed and even turned around to wave goodbye to the teacher out the back window as we were pulling out.

As far as orientation goes ~ he had a different teacher during the summer program than who he now has. I would say that's the primary difference. He doesn't know anyone in his class and he's the only 'new kid' in the class. Everyone else knows each other. I think his independence is age-appropriate ~ after he acclimates to the new situation. It may take him a little longer than most 6yo to feel comfortable in a new environment. Other than that, he is very independent. I think this environment would be great for him because he is very responsible, focused and internally driven. His K class was not a M school, but the environment was very similar to the M environment in which the teacher told the class their three class studies they would do for the morning and then the students worked on them on their own unless they had any questions.

We're taking it day by day and ds says he feels a little more comfortable each day. That's all we can ask for at this moment.