DS' first day today..... not sure how it went

[Lethal]

Hi everyone. My ds is a fairly boisterous 3 1/2 year old who has lots of energy and doesn't normally stick to one activity for very long (tends to move from one thing to the other). He's also quite independent of nature. Anyway... this morning was his first morning at kindergarten. As we arrived, I noticed that most of the other children were fairly quiet and seemed a bit nervous about being there. On the other side of the coin, ds couldn't get there fast enough, he bounded in the door, took exception when the teacher told him not to go in the playground straight away (he whined about it and then sat on the floor in disgust), and he didn't even raise an eyebrow when I left.

On returning to pick him up, I found out that he had sung to the class on a pretend microphone and kept them all entertained with a bit of a floor show. (?)

Even though I'm glad he's not bothered by this transition (he's never been clingy in his life.. I somehow feel that I've failed as a parent because he's never wanted to cling on to me - go figure), I'm actually worried about whether they'll be able to keep him in line. He's not deliberately naughty, he just has a mind of his own and doesn't always listen. I'm dreading next week when they introduce the 'rest time' at kindy, because when it comes to having a lie down I just don't think ds will do it, and I don't want him creating any disturbances. Strangely enough he likes having a nap at home though. Does anyone out there have a child that sounds like mine, and can you offer any advice or encouragement? I guess I just want everything to go smoothly... for him and for me. Thanks.

I think your little boy will be fine. I think you'll find that he will settle in with the rules and adjust in time. Nursery staff are so used to different kinds of children, and know how to handle most behaviours from the painfully shy to the more boisterous types. I don't think my DS would have managed to lie still at rest-time either, but sometimes he suprises me with what they manage to make him do in nursery which he would NEVER do at home.

Your description of your little boy's first day made me chuckly - he sounds a real character!

Don't worry about him settling in, like FM says nursery will be used to all different kinds of behaviour - it would be very boring if every child was shy, nervous and willing to conform!!

Its a great testament to you that he is so confident and comfortable in new environments - so well done!

You'd be surprised what the staff at nurseries can do. I've seen a whole room of 2-3 yr olds all asleep at the same time, all sitting round a table eating nicely (stuff they wouldn't touch at home, to!) and playing nicely. It's truly amazing!

Either peer pressure is a wonderful thing or the staff have a magic wonder drug that turns their charges into lttle angels.

As for the clinginess, we worry if they're too clingy, we lament when they're not... I think it just shows that your DS is confident that you'll come back for him and this knowledge makes him happy & secure.

Agree with the others. Its down to you that he's secure and confident so don't feel bad.

Also sounds like Kindy might be good for him. I've also found that children behave differently at nursery than home. I've heard of those who can't be made to have a nap who lay down for an hour at nursery every day.