Moved to Y1 and absolutely hating it....advice please

[fishingfilly]

My DS loved school, loved reception, very happy to go each day, full of beans.

Just started Y1 and is the total opposite, tears everyday, very clingy.

I feel so upset, I have tried to re-assure him and given him lots of praise.

Please give me some advice

[lovecheese]

It gets better, honestly it does; It's quite a shock for some children to go from the "learning through play" environment of reception to the more formal one of KS1. Just reassure him that it is new to everybody and his friends are probably feeling like him. Good luck.

[fishingfilly]

...thanks lovecheese, just so sad to hear him say he hates school. Had it again tonight...its def the lack of play and more structured learning he's not coping too well with.

Fingerscrossed youre right

[magicmummy1]

I think it is quite a difficult transition for some kids, but children are very adaptable, I'm sure he'll get used to it in time. If he continues to be unhappy, then might be worth having a quiet word with the teacher - I'm sure they're used to dealing with this issue!

[forehead]

Fishingfilly, i know how you feel. My ds (just turned five) was beginning to dislike school. I believed that it was the lack of play. I decided to take him to the park or soft play centre three times a week after school in order to use up some excess energy. I have found this really useful and my ds looks forward to these trips.
The transition from Reception to yr 1 is often difficult particularly for the Summer born boys, but they will eventually get used to it.

[fishingfilly]

thanks Magic - yes she I did have a little word last week and she is quite good with him and tries to distract him

Forehead - may do this tomorrow take him straight up the park and make a fuss of him

[fishingfilly]

today not too bad started to blubber but teacher noticed and asked him to do a job for her so that distracted him...still breaks my heart though

[sarahfreck]

I think organising fun play for after school is an excellent idea, particularly activities where he can let off steam, like football or play equipment in the park

[nameymcnamechange]

My ds was just like this when he started Yr 1 last year. I was completely flummoxed because he had been as happy as anything in Nursery and Reception.

I didn't make a great deal of fuss over it, tbh (although I felt quite worried on the inside). I just reassured him that he was doing well at school, that he could still have fun and play, that it was fun to learn to read ... etc.

He gradually got better and by the end of the first term we had no problems at all.

I was slightly worried about him going in to Yr 2 this year, tbh. Another new teacher, new class rules, etc. But he is happy as can be now, no worries at all.

I think what I'm trying to say is that this is not an uncommon problem for Yr 1 boys and he will probably grow out of it, just give him a little time.

[NotAnotherBrick]

Home ed? I couldn't bear to be making my children do something that made them so unhappy

[nameymcnamechange]

Oh fgs (at previous post).

[fishingfilly]

thanks for "most" of your comments and advice!

Let's see what tomorrow brings

[amidaiwish]

it might be the y1 teacher is being quite formal/strict at first to set the tone and will settle down once boundaries are set, expectations etc... a quite common approach

whereas in reception they are have an extension of home approach all loving etc...

[fishingfilly]

yes amid youre right she is quite stern and not as fluffy as reception teacher - he does like his new teacher though.

Im sure its just down to reduction of playtime.

Tonight he didnt mention school or hating it only about a boy who was naughty!