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Dd 4 really not looking forward to starting reception

5 replies

etubrute · 05/08/2013 12:17

My Dd has said many times that she doesn't want to go into her new class because the new teacher is naughty Confused. I can't quite get why her new teacher is naughty but she has been saying it ever since she went into her new class for a taster just before the holidays. She took some time to settle into the nursery class before wouldn't get ready in a morning, complained of poorly tummy etc etc. I'm hoping this isn't going to be the case this time. Is anyone else's Dc not looking forward to moving class?

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
thegreylady · 05/08/2013 12:49

I think the anxiety is pretty normal and she will be fine when she starts.We are lucky because in dgs school Nursery and Reception are in one room with 2 teachers and 2 TA's so they look forward to 'crossing the floor' from the nursery section to the other side :)

Xihha · 05/08/2013 13:12

DD is really looking forward to it, but she has a big brother and young aunts and uncles that have been telling her how exciting it will be, she'd been worried before that.

I can remember my now 9 year old sister desperately didn't want to go, although her teacher was apparently smelly and mean not naughty. We had tears and tantrums for weeks, she even tried hiding her uniform, she settled in pretty quickly though and absolutely loves school now and even loved the smelly, mean teacher after about a week.

Judging by the amount of stroppy children and stressed parents you see on the first day of term each year, there are a lot of children who aren't looking forward to starting, most of those children are usually smiling and excited by the end of the day though.

MilkRunningOutAgain · 05/08/2013 17:32

My dd was scared to go. Tbh, we avoided the subject until just a few days before starting as reassurance didn't seem to work and it was the best way for us all to enjoy the summer holiday. My dd was fine after she actually met the teacher and the ta, they visited our house the week before she started, perhaps she had imagined them as being much scarier and stricter. I can't think of much good advice for you, but a brisk "Teachers aren't naughty, they work hard to help kids learn" if your dd states her opinion again and a change of subject to something less contentious might work?

PeanutButterOnly · 05/08/2013 18:08

There will also be some children who seem fine at first and then as reality dawns become more reluctant. I think my ds may be one of these. He is an Aug birthday and has older siblings meaning he's familiar with school environment, but I think he has no idea what it means to be going there full time. So maybe it's good to be processing some of the.emotion in advance.

PastSellByDate · 05/08/2013 19:10

etubrute:

DD1 was scared of starting school mainly because she didn't know anyone going to her school and so was a little worried about making friends that first day.

We tried several things to keep her positive about the idea of going to school.

We talked about what we liked about school, but were honest that you may not like everything, but there is so much going on that there will be something you do enjoy - even if it is only time in the playground.

We talked about how exciting field trips were and how much we enjoyed science experiments or learning outdoors.

We also read books about starting school - that dealt with being a little afraid: One of our favourites (which we've kept) was: Dumpy at School (by Emma Walton Hamilton & Julie Andrews) (yes that Julie Andrews) - it's a lovely story about a boy's first day at school and settling in. (you can get it through amazon but also other good book stores).

If you type 'first day at school books' on amazon you'll find lots. Lots of popular tv shows for children have books on this theme - so you can chose a show your child likes to help a bit. (Also try library/ book store - often they have displays of this type of things around now).

Finally the hard part is hiding how bittersweet this can be for Mum & Dad - your baby is growing up and your relationship with your child will change. They'll become more independent and start to have opinions and ideas (possibly different to your own). But that's our job really - to support them through this growing up process. To be there to help but step back when they need to the space to test their wings a bit. And hiding those mixed feelings is quite a performance, I can assure you (especially when it's your youngest heading off to Year R without a look backwards).

All I can say is although it may not seem like it, in six weeks time you'll be worrying about other things (most likely how to get a costume together at short notice! MN is good for help with that too by the way!).

HTH

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