Is it normal for behaviour to deteriorate a little bit on starting school..?

[ThreePotatoFloor]

Five year old started school last week. Seems really happy about it too. She’s full of enthusiasm.

Shes a big personality, very funny and outgoing and always been a little on the wild side - lots of energy etc but she’s also really well behaved, especially out of the house. She was at nursery full time and the ladies there just loved her. never any issues with her behaviour (beyond the odd fighting with her sister / silly shite that 5 year olds do).

she has been WILD since starting school. Caught her scaling the bunk beds tonight. Shouting. Screaming. Won’t listen to a thing I say. Won’t settle down at night and go to sleep. I asked her to go to the bathroom tonight before she went to bed. Chivvied her along and she bit my arm! Completely out of nowhere. It’s not unhappy bad behaviour it’s like she’s in a bit of a frenzy.

is this normal?? Does it settle??

Oh yes totally normal. And yes they get better.

The reception teacher said to me these little children are in the class trying their best to behave all day and hold in their feelings and remember their manners and learn how to behave in a new social setting.

You are her safe place full of unconditional love and she is letting out all those emotions and feelings and behaviours she can't do in the day.

She will also be completely wiped out and tired and this will affect her behaviour too. Maybe try quieter time before bed or a slightly earlier bedtime to counteract?

It’s totally normal. I think it’s a reaction to being over-tired, over-excited, over-stimulated and a bit more being expected of them at ‘big school’ compared with at nursery. The first term especially can be hard for you and them as they adjust. More tantrums, wilder behaviour and testiness are not at all uncommon. It does get better but it can feel tough going until they settle and school life begins to feel more familiar and less tiring.

Teariness not testiness! Though they can be very testing too.

Yes.

Over tiredness and being over stimulated

Absolutely. DS was a model child in school apparently but his behaviour at home was the worst it had ever been. Exactly as @ReginaFilange001 said, he was desperate to be good and afraid of getting in trouble at school but let it all out at home. Also very, very tired. We brought bedtime forward to 630pm and it helped. Many years ago but still relevant i think.

100% normal. She's exhausted and overwhelmed. Dont make the mistake of cramming in more activities/trips to the park after school. Let her come home and slump in front of the telly while you make an early tea, then have 20-30 mins of calm chatting/playing time with her if possible, then bath time and an early bedtime.