Advice for mum of receptioner

[kafka]

Ds started school this September. I don't think he is happy at school, am I right in thinking that he would not tell me?
He was very happy at his pre school, in the holidays he would say that he wanted to go back to pre school. This half term he has not mentioned school at all...

Ds is a very outgoing child and I just feel that his sparkle has gone. Anyone been here and what did you do?

Thanks

Kafka

COuld it be that he is just tired? Reception is exhausting for the best of children.
Is he the type of child that worries about making you unhappy? Otherwise why would he not tell you?
Are any of his pre-school friends in the same class as him? Perhaps you could talk to their mums and see how they are coping. What about his best friends from pre-school... are they in his school or class? He could be missing them otherwise.
Have a word with his teacher; he/she will be able to tell you how he is getting on in school.

Remember you see ds at his worst; when he is tired after a long, busy and stimulating day.

Hope he finds his sparke again soon

sparkle

Yes, he could just be tired. It is tiring. Invite some of his classmates for tea. Friendships are very important for happiness at school.

None of his previous friends go to this school, (we did not get in to the school attached to the pre school).

What I mean about him telling me that he is not happy is at his age would he be aware? and able to articulate what is happening. I don't think he is being bullied, the school is more than satisfactory I just want to see him raring to go and bouncing into school. He is that sort of person and it is not like him.

I go into school twice a week to help out and he is ok and doing ok I am just uneasy.

The school is fairly 'alien' in that there are no children there who he knew as pre schoolers.

My DS1 was in exactly the same position that yours was last year - didn't know anyone in the class and always said he preferred preschool. It took him at least 2 terms to settle down. He absolutely LOVES school now - gets upset if he can't go. It is early days yet, he will probably settle down.

My LO used to play all his frustrations out at home - he once told me he was really angry at school (which really surprised me). There are so many overwhelming, new things for them to take in and learn. Until they find their feet, they can be all over the place. I'd say give him some more time.

Thanks TeeBee, he doesn't complain about school I just miss my super enthusiastic little boy, he is positive but not quite himself it the sort of thing that only a mother would notice - and as it goes I am not a worrier about my children I am prettly laissez faire but I am concerned about school.

I suppose I feel sad for him and I am seriously thinking of uprooting us all out of london.

Anyone changed school in reception year?

My ds started reception this term and went from being a 'well-motivated and enthusiastic' child (according to his nursery teacher) to being 'stubborn and uncooperative' according to his reception teacher. He also refused to show his reception teacher what he knew (letters, reading etc). I figure it is a huge change from nursery and he just needs to settle in. What I did do though was ensure that his reception teacher spoke to his nursery teacher so she could get an insight of the sort of child he actually is.

He also has gone to a different school to his nursery friends so that is an adjustment too. I think you need to give it time. My ds was at nursery 4.5 days a week and it is still a huge change - structured lessons, end of lesson bells, sheer number of other pupils in the school (250 compared to 30 in his nursery). They have to get used to the different learning style as well as the change in environment. A lot for a 4 yr old to take on board imo.

Thanks for this MollieO