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Advice on supporting anxious child in starting school

5 replies

Indecisivelurcher · 08/07/2019 21:10

Dd starts school in Sept, turns 5 in Oct. She's had a bit of a realisation in the last week or so that she won't be with a couple of her best friends anymore (they are younger), that she won't go to playgroups anymore, and that she won't have mummy days (Thur & Fri with me and younger brother). Thank goodness she's not yet twigged she won't see her main friends as much, but I'm sure she will soon!

She really doesn't handle change well. Typically it really really screws her sleep, which is very hard for us as a family and significantly effects her behaviour.

She's an extremely nostalgic person by nature, in a getting upset way rather than an 'ahh remember when' way. For example at the weekend I found a rabbit toy she had when she was younger and instead of being pleased to see it, she cried for about an hour because she'd forgotten about it and left it in a toy box.

My question is, what can I do to make it easier for her to leave things behind when she starts school?!

Familiarisation with the school is about as good as its going to get. I've got the numbers for a couple of friends she'll be leaving behind and have already arranged play dates. I thought I could get her to put some mummy mornings on the calendar when I can take her out just me and her. I've also signed her up for a preschool mindfulness course over the summer.

Can anyone think of anything else?! She's cried every day since Thursday 😢

OP posts:
Indecisivelurcher · 08/07/2019 21:40

Bumping already

OP posts:
sirfredfredgeorge · 08/07/2019 22:43

Lots of positive stories about starting school, social stories about everything she's going to be doing - including coming home and seeing you and telling you all the great experiences she's had etc.

Indecisivelurcher · 09/07/2019 06:44

Thank you. I will do that. But her worries are more about leaving things behind rather than the new thing itself, and it's that element that I'm not sure how to help her with.

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FurryGiraffe · 09/07/2019 09:16

Sympathies. I also have an anxious child who manifests it with poor sleep. The first term of reception was tough because it was largely anxiety around transition (so drop offs were a nightmare) and he slept poorly which meant everyone was tired including him which I think was a vicious circle. Accept that the sleep will be poor and plan accordingly: low key after school and weekends with plenty of downtime; consistent routine and don't let bedtime slide at weekends.

Indecisivelurcher · 09/07/2019 15:34

Thank you @furrygiraffe

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