Tantrum on way home from first day - normal?

[heateallthebuns]

My ds started junior infants (same as reception) today. He was fine going in, didn't even say bye to me!

When I collected him he looked a bit sad, then had a tantrum all the way walking home, sat on ground a couple of times, started scratching and attacking his twin brother. Lay on sofa watching telly when we got home.

He is usually fine at preschool and kids clubs.

Is this normal? Is it just because of meeting new people, learning new rules and everything being overwhelming? Will he go back to normal?!?!

I'd say so. He feels safe with you now and they often let loose when they finally feel safe. Its a good sign.
Senior infants boy in our house.

About Christmas...? 😉

Joking aside, my dd was like this. Just seemingly overwhelmed (and knackered) by doing full days at school. It's a lot for them to take on. She gradually got more used to it and settled after a couple of weeks (but got like it again for the last week or so of each half term)

Completely normal, don't worry!! It's a mixture of being overwhelmed, being really tired and probably even feeling a bit guilty for not kissing you goodbye!!
In my experience when children start school they are tired for a while and little monsters I really wouldn't worry about it, maybe a snack as he comes out of school and try (even though it's really hard) not to question him too much about his day

He will get back to normal. It's usually a good sign that he has spent all day being so well behaved and concentrating that he has to release it all when he gets home. I bet the teacher tells you he is a little angel.

End of term though he will probably be grumpy and tired.

When my dcs first went to school we used to come home and I'd have to hug them for about a hour while they sat in a virtual coma in front of the telly. Lasted until about Xmas.

Yes normal,for first day and every day for sometime thereafter.
I think we forget how exhausting it is being in a new environment.

It was normal for both of mine

Imagine:

They are tired
They are hungry
They have, in most cases, had to hold themselves in check in an unsettling environment and "be good" - the emotion has to come out somewhere

Don't panic, and try to ignore it unless violence is happening. Be supportive and don't ask too many questions. Feed them as soon as they come out of school. Don't assume it's all been terrible or they are picking up bad behaviour from other children

Absolutely normal. The monster in ds usually reoccurs for the first week of the new school year each year while he adjusts to being back into the swing of things and then again if it's a particularly long term and he's ready for a break.

Absolutely, completely and utterly normal. My dd was the same. Dreading dc2 starting school next week, for this reason!

I find that dd is better if she has a snack thrust into her hand the minute she walks out of the door!

You mention a twin brother in the op; is he ok/not tantrummimg?

PS I think school is much more emotionally and mentally demanding for little ones than nursery/preschool/kids club.

Normal! Some children are so involved and overwhelmed by school that they're exhausted (and often hungry) by pick up time. They usually cope by half term.