Tearful 5yr old - how can I help her help herself?

[blueballoons]

I had to collect DD from school early today because she started crying and couldnt stop and no no one (including her) knew why. She has been increasingly tearful lately - I'm guessing she is just tired and needs a break from school - no particular issues going on at school or home.

I guess my question is what can I tell her about how to help herself cheer up or stop crying when she gets upset and I'm not around. Any tips or links? She's only got one more day at school left and we both want to make sure its a happy one.

Thanks!

[purpleturtle]

She probably is just tired - my dc are shattered! Or maybe she's coming down with something (not what you want to hear, I'm sure).

I think I'd be inclined to let it run its course for now. Rather than make something of it, by giving her instructions, or inadvertently making her feel bad for feeling how she feels.

Give her something to look forward to at the end of school tomorrow, and see if that works?

[MotherofInvention]

Poor little one. Maybe you could let her choose a small cuddly toy to take with her and agree that if she starts to feel sad she can cuddle him for comfort and maybe whisper her feelings to the teddy so that he can help her not to cry. Or maybe there is a particular teacher she feels able to tell? I'd definitely mention it to the teacher tomorrow so s/he's aware it might happen and can look out for it.
Tell her that you'll be thinking of your brave, clever little girl all day and decide to do something nice together after school to celebrate the start of the holidays. Our current after school cheer-up favourite is to buy a cornetto and watch the trains at the station while we eat it, but then I have boys...
If it's ongoing at the start of the new term I would investigate what exactly it is that is making her tearful by speaking to the teachers/going in to observe her at school yourself, etc. Good luck.

[MovingOutOfBlighty]

Think she is tired. My dd looks so green around the gills ATm with big bags under her eyes.
My dd is getting increasingly fed up recently and I think they know something is afoot with finishing school.

See how it goes over the holidays.

[regularlyoverwhelmed]

let her have day off tomorrow and do something lovely - my DD1 was like this at that age and dr signed her off for stress, which is what it is at end of day. Stress and physical exhaustion. School year is too long for the littlies. Poor pet.

If she has to go (cos SHE wants to) then I agree, send in soft toy and some sweets or cakes to share with classmates, and arrange something low key but wonderful for after school (mine like promise of my undivided attention for full duration of dvd that we all watch snuggled up together on sofa)

in terms of what you can tell her long term, yikes, is tricky and I haven't quite worked it out yet myself. She will grow stronger every year though, which is a relief.

[LilyBolero]

Is she reception? The littlies do get really tired ime - can you give her some mummy time? My dd really responds to this - just some mum and daughter time (she is 5 too but Y1), either going out for milk and flapjack at the cafe or doing some art together or just reading a book together.