DS is finding it hard to settle into Year 1 - anyone else?

[HereComesYourMam]

Just after some reassurance that we're not alone with this, as most of his classmates seem to be skipping into school quite happily every morning.

DS was 5 in June, so quite young. But although he can be a bit clingy generally, he was very happy in reception last year. Our school has the pre-schoolers in with the receptions kids so there were loads of adults around and lots of emotional support.

I think this is the problem he's having with being in Year 1 - not having so much adult support. He loves his new teacher and TA and seems mostly OK when they're around, but unfortunately the TA doesn't work Mondays, the teacher is out of the classroom all day on a Wednesday, and they've both had the odd day off in the last couple of weeks. I think this unpredictability of who'll be looking after him is what's making him anxious. I don't think it's the usual transition from playing to not playing so much that some kids struggle with in Year 1.

Anyone else's DC finding it a difficult transition, emotionally? It would be nice to know that it's not just us dealing with tearful drop-offs Also would be lovely to hear from others who've gone through this and come out the other side.

Hm, maybe I should ask and see if there's anything extra they can do to help DS. I kind of thought it's just something he needs to get through... but it's not getting any better yet so perhaps I will say something. Hope your DS's sessions help! It's bloody hard seeing them go through it isn't it?

Same here!
Tears and refusal to get dressed, never had any problems in reception year!
Problem is she doesn't have a particular friend to go in with either, doesn't help that they have swapped the classes around so lots of new faces!

Yes!! DD has started saying in the last week that she's struggling and that she's finding all the work hard. When I asked her what in particular she said 'Maths' and when DH asked her she said 'PE' so very random.

She's advanced for literacy so she works with the Year 2s for reading and literacy. She says she's struggling with that aswell but when we read at home and do her spellings, she's absolutely fine and doesn't struggle at all.

We've decided to give it until half term and then judge it again. Apparently according to my friend who is a TA, the transition to Y1 from YR is the hardest and so they always give it to half term to let them settle in.

Ds has found the adjustment hard too. He's enjoying the new class, new teacher, new friends, can keep up with the work etc etc, but has still found it a big transition. It has all manifested itself in waking up during the night. I spoke to his teacher just to make her aware and so she can keep an eye on him.

He now says school makes him sad . Unfortunately the TA said that most of Year 1 were sad.

Oh blimey, that must have been a hard thing to hear. Did she say what they were doing to address that?

We had lots of 'it's so boring' yesterday. Ds is finding the repetition (spellings, writing) hard.

I have had experience of teaching both Yr and Y1 and for most children the transition into Y1 is harder. When they start in YR everything is new and exciting (they also have half days ext to ease them in). When they start in Y1 they walk past what they still consider to be their classroom but there are other children in there and they are playing with the toys (no spellings in there thank you very much!). They are super tired because they have so much to take in. In the old days the government did not expect as much progress in Y1 and Y3 because they were deemed as transition years and the settling into a new KS was so important (oh how things have changed!). Please don't worry to much.... Each year they all get there some just need a bit more hand holding than others :)

Thanks Cric and everyone else. I know he'll get there really but it's nice to have some reassurance that he's not alone and that it's normal... I feel like it's extra hard (for both of us) because my DS seems to be the only one still crying at drop-off (not that I want the other kids to be unhappy, but you know what I mean!).

No problem. The things you can do to help at home is to talk really positively about the things that are happening at school. Always ask a positive question about the day and focus on that. On the way to school think of something you are looking forward to seeing (a piece of work he has done etc) so he has something he can share with you when he gets there :) he will get there x