Just started pre-school but really quiet - is this normal?

[dipsymum]

DD1 (2.11) started pre-school this week, has no problems with being left at all but when I drop her off she just seems to sit at a table on her own looking around at the other children but not really taking part. The staff say that she does play with dolls, draws etc but doesn't really interact with the other children which she does on playdates, also has a younger sister and they play very well together at home. Is this normal? I really feel that she needs the interaction of being around other children more but don't like the idea of my normally very chatty and boisterous DD being so quiet.

How many children are at the preschool? She might feel a little bit overwhelmed as she's new.

Could you settle her with a group of children that are involved in an activity before you leave?

She goes two days, on Mon there's about 10 other children and Thurs busier with about 15. Think you may be right about trying to stay and get her interested in doing something before we go, just a bit hardier with DD2 as well. It's strange my biggest worry was about her being upset about being left - never thought that she might not like it!

It's only early days! Give her a bit more time to settle.

DS has been going to pre-school for about a year now, and is still more interested in the toys than the other children. He plays well with his sister and other children outside of pre-school, I just think that the bikes and climbing frames are more exciting than the other children at school.

Give her more time, it's not as if we become best buddies with everyone the day we start a new job!

Throughout the morning (I would think) there will be other stuff also going on that would bring the children together - parachute games, stories and songs, music movement etc etc
My DD always just played in her own bubble, and as much as I'd've felt happier to see her with set friends - she was happier to be a bit independent.

Agree with paisleyleaf. My DS1 was like this.

I work in a playgroup with 2 and 3 year olds, and there are those who pootle around on their own, even when they've been there a long time.

In a new situation, it's really normal for toddlers to find their feet in this way - and to observe what's going on before getting stuck in with other children.

The fact that she is playing shows she likes it.

Try not to let your worries show to her !

I would caution you about hanging around for too long when you leave her. If she is not unhappy about you leaving her, she may become so if she thinks you are worried about her.

Also, she's chatty and boisterous at home because she's in her own environment. Soon, the playgroup will become her environment, too.

My DD was quite withdrawn when she started pre school. In fact the first 4 months they said she only smiled when I came to pick her up. They showed me all these photos of her, she wasn't smiling in any of them; it was heartbreaking. There was never any fuss about going in and she never said she didn't want to go.

After the summer, she turned 3 and I upped her sessions and within a week they said she was a different child. We had a stressful home renovation/house move before/during the summer so this may have had some bearing on it, but more likely I think that she just felt more comfortable about it over time.