Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Flip

Original poster

Daughter struggling starting school

11 replies

Winnie87 · 08/09/2023 10:38

My Daughter has just started primary this week and is really struggling she crying a lot on a night and going into school not wanting to go:
I know she will settle it takes time as it’s only be 3 days. Just wondering if any one had any tips to help her.
we are telling her how proud we are of her. Making sure she knows she will makes lots of friends and will have so much fun at school.
Any advice?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

cakecoffeecakecoffee · 08/09/2023 10:55

DS has been struggling and they suggested he bring a transitional object to comfort him, such as a teddy or comforter.

BlueChampagne · 08/09/2023 13:06

Does she have friends who haven't started yet, owing to staggered start? DD much happier once pre-school friends had started too.

Original poster

Winnie87 · 08/09/2023 14:01

I’ve not thought about taking something in to help comfort her that might help!
Yes she has one friend from her nursery who started the same time and they’ve been going in together, I thought it would help. Today nothing would console her. The teacher had to take her away.
thank you for the replies!

OP posts:

Newuser75 · 08/09/2023 14:07

It's very hard. Mine has been the same. Am hoping next week will be better!!

Original poster

Winnie87 · 08/09/2023 14:11

I’m praying as well! It’s a huge step for them and I know eventually it’ll get better (I hope!)

OP posts:

reallyunderstandsometimes · 08/09/2023 14:13

It does get better, but keep doing what you are doing, but with little fuss and she will read from you that it's ok to be a bit nervous and worried.

I let my DS a know it was normal to be scared and worried and said it will pass and he will look back, he did struggle even though he was a nursery baby.

It's. A big change and I'm sure she will settle it took my DS about a month to fully teamed into the new routine x

SamPoodle123 · 09/09/2023 21:46

I always tried to make sure my dc made friends before starting. For example, I would meet someone who I knew had a dc starting at the school, then suggest a play in the park. I always managed to meet people with dc going into the same year as my dc via their sport activities. But if the dc is already in the school, I would do what was my next step - set up play dates with potential friends asap. It helps them settle much quicker if they have friends. I have 3 dc and it has worked every time...including with my youngest who is 3.

anxiousannie63 · 09/09/2023 21:55

I don't know if this is helpful at all but I've seen children sometimes have a little 'hug button' or heart drawn just inside their forearm. Both parent and child 'wear' one and the child gets an imaginary hug from parent whenever they're missing them. I did a quick google search to check I wasn't making it up and there's an article on it and one mum has created an Etsy shop selling hug button stick on tattoos.
I follow Dr Siggie on social media and she also did a lovely transcript of things we can say to children when they're transitioning to school. She's American so the post was back in August some time but might be worth a look.
Fingers crossed for a more settled week next week!

Original poster

Winnie87 · 10/09/2023 05:38

Thank you everyone!
Her friend who started school from nursery does gymnastics, I’ve asked if my dd would like to try it too.
The heart on her hand is a great idea! I’d only heard about it yesterday and we tried it out and she seemed very happy with it.
She has also been invited to a birthday party next weekend, we will be going anything to help her mingle more. It gives us the opportunity to meet some parents to.
So much great advice thank you for helping me 😊

OP posts:

Fifireee · 10/09/2023 05:44

Some kind of treat at the weekend to look
forward to might be nice. Lots of positive reinforcement about the teacher - we could show Miss *** this or we could tell her you did this. Talk about some of the things they are learning about or get them to read their school book to a grandparent so you can reinforce all the amazing things they can do.

LadyBitsnBobs · 10/09/2023 06:02

Do you walk to school? It’s good to walk; gives you space to do the mental transition from home to school. Is there someone else at the school you could walk with in the morning? Or could you arrange to meet nursery friend and walk the last bit together? It is always a good distraction having someone happy to talk to on the walk.

Try and go early enough so she’s not going into a crowded, bustling playground - you can feel so lonely and intimidated walking into a big crowded area.

I found some small shiny star stickers, like the ones teachers used to use to grade work, and stuck them on DC ankle just inside his sock. I said to him they were his lucky stars and if they peeled off it meant all that good luck had rubbed off on him already so he’d have a good day. And if not then it was waiting there to help if he needed it. This seemed to help although then he cried when the last one came off in the bath and I had to do it all again next day! 🤣

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread