Hi everyone. My daughter started school a month ago. She's 4.5. she did 16 ,months of nursery but only a few hours 13 for a year then only 6 a week . She has always been addicted to drawing pictures and art. At nursery that's what she spent most of her time at the art table making things. She has started school and has continued wanting to be on the art table. We went to her parents evening tonight and they said they think she is struggling with transition. They have asked a support worker for ideas to help her. They have suggested a chart and pictures so she can choose an activity to try next to encourage her off the art table. They said due to being busy at the art table she is abit of a loner as she's not really getting involved with much else.... They also said they are having to repeat things alot to her but she is slowly getting the hang of what colour house she is in and what she needs to do etc. They sort of said she's in fairyland and daydreaming alot too.
At home she is able to write her name now but looking through her work today she is doing it all wrong. They said she can't cut out yet and she needs encouragement with that and holding a pencil properly. They also said she doesn't talk much. She speaks but only a little.
I think alot of it is the lack of experience and all this new stuff that she has never done before. Her nursery was a forestry nursery and it was mainly free play. So now she is having to learn all about registers, work books, lining up, rules and boundaries that are different to nursery. She's in a big play ground and in a slightly stricter setting that nursery.
They did say she is really good and always happy and smiling. I just wish she would mix and chat more and obviously take part more. I will try and do some cutting etc at home with her. Socially we went to baby groups for 6 months then a weekly playgroup for a year. Then she had 8 months at home whilst I had her brother then went to nursery. Every week we saw a boy her age and went to the parks etc with him and his mum. So she has mixed over the last four years.
Please don't think I'm writing this in a rude way but I fear they will start presuming there is something wrong with her or thinking I've not done anything with her. How can I help her be more confident or will it come with time? She's only been at school for a month so she hasn't had long to take it all in yet has she? Other children have though obviously so I'm sad my little girl isn't shining yet.
Any experience or ideas?
I know she is still only 4 but Is this a sign something is not right with her or is she just lacking in experience compared to kids that did more nursery and have more adults in their lives etc? My daughter only has me and her dad. Her dad works long hours so we don't get much time to sit down one on one as I have a toddler too who's awake when she's here.
I always felt guilty about her not doing much nursery but she was ill constantly and our son ended up in hospital as a baby as he could not fight anymore germs off over the last winter. It was a frightening time and I made the decision to cut her hours down to 6 a week and it worked and broke the cycle.