Sports Day for very very nervous child - WWYD?

[PorkChopSter]

My DD (5) can be very fragile in situations where attention is focused on her. During dentist/GP appointments she will scream and hide under furniture, attempts to run out of the room, attacks whoever is trying to calm her down etc. She's been much the same when making her Rainbow promise or doing nursery sports days. However, she had no trouble doing school nativity or her class assembly - it seems fairly unpredictable but is extreme when it happens.

I was warned by her TA that she is refusing to practice for Sports Day and is starting to get wound up by the idea. Could I build her up and tell her it's not about winning. Well yes, I could... I've already sat her and DS down and promised them all manner of reward if they can just start and finish their races without crying but it's not making an impression. Tbh when she's in one of these moods, nothing gets through

I can't take her out of school because I want to watch DS. The TA said she wouldn't be allowed to sit it out with me.

WWYD?

Yes, thats it exactly - at least, as dd describes it. I'll talk to her teachers tomorrow, I am sure they'll have some good ideas as to how to handle it.

There are many things I expect dd (now Y2) to just get on with, even if she doesn't enjoy them much, but there's a big difference between 'not enjoy' and 'dread and feel sick about'. I think this is a case of the latter, ditto the OP's dd, ditto Pepper as a LO

Sorry Seeker.I have always had it in my head that you were a teacher!

'she will scream and hide under furniture, attempts to run out of the room, attacks whoever is trying to calm her down '

..but to me that doesn'r sound like a chil;d who doesn't want to be the centre of attention.It sounds like the opposite!

i think it can be rather humiliating being forced to take part in sports day.

i have no issue with recognising and rewarding the kids who are good at sports and take part in the school teams, but it is still a mystery to me why there needs to be a whole separate 'sports day' in the calendar given that there isn't an 'arts day' or a 'music day'....

fairlydoll, I was one, briefly, years before many of the people on here were born. I am a bit horrified that the aura remains!

You shouldn't be, seeker, its not a bad aura

I spoke to another Mum today at a KS1 assembly - her boy (also Y2) didn't run last year, as he had fallen the year before and is one of the hate-being-focussed-on children and had very little confidence. She is going to try and get him to run this year, as he has a habit of opting out when scared - unlike my dd, who will grit her teeth white-faced and try with most things public.

Mrsravelstein, an Art or Music Day, now that she would tackle!

Still not sure what to do about dd1, but will talk to teacher later today, with luck.