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How to prep our sensitive LO for school?

27 replies

1BunOldie · 11/01/2017 00:38

Hi. How can we best prepare our 3.5 year old son for school in September? He finds separation very difficult, e.g. crying hard and clinging on to me when I drop him at nursery (although he stops crying a few minutes after I leave). He started nursery at 1 year old, doing 4 full days per week, and it has always been hard to settle him into each new room. It takes him much longer than most and he seems to be the only one crying in his current room - since the beginning of September. He is very reserved in certain situations but I would not describe him as shy, just cautious and slightly anxious. He has started to worry about school, asking me whether I will be going to school with him (weep!). However much we try to help him gain confidence - (talking about his fears and reassuring, gently familiarising him with the things that frighten him, toddler 'acting' group), it doesn't seem to change things for him. We don't want to change him as such, it's more to give him confidence to deal with the next stage. Please help!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
CryingShame · 11/01/2017 12:51

Just to flag with you, my DS struggled with things in Foundation that school felt he should be old enough to do. He'd ask the teacher to help him with his coat but would be told he needed to do it himself and we got a note home about it as a criticism. My DS had also been at nursery 3 - 4 days from 9 months old, but he just couldn't be as autonomous as his teacher felt he ought to be.

Be positive about it but get an idea of the teacher's expectations when you meet him / her in the summer and be prepared to be your DS' advocate if he needs it.

1BunOldie · 11/01/2017 16:08

Thanks for all the further messages, very helpful indeed.

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