Help! Is this normal? 5 year old just started school......terrible behaviour!

[Booboomum]

I was just hoping for some advice......(reassurance??!!)My DS started school this year. He had been at nursery 3 days a week (short days) since he was one. Always very happy there and totally happy to leave me. He was really looking forward to starting school, had been there twice a week for a year picking up a friend so knew it well, knew several people at the school - although only one in his class.It is a big primary - 90 in reception - so possibly very daunting and maybe that's the problem. First few weeks really went well,he settled in very happily. Week before half term he started going crazy about leaving me or his Dad. Screaming, clinging on to us etc etc. Really very upset. I know that once we go he is fine after a bit but it seems strange that this has just started. Also his behaviour at home is AWFUL - rude, aggressive, nasty - he has always had his moments but now he is terrible. Teacher says he is ok at school but have only spoken to her briefly. Sorry to go on so long....but is this normal??!! Should I be concerned? Do something about it? We are just trying to discipline as normal and big up the good behaviour (very rare at mo!!)but it's really stressing us out and I am really worried about him. Any thoughts? Thanks!!!

Normal unfortunately. Most children are extremely tired by their first full term at primary school, the run up to Christmas is particularly hard going.

Continue with the praise of the good and be reassuring etc about being at school. It might be good for you both to discuss dropping-off tactics with his teacher, perhaps she could give him a special job to do in the morning?

It will get better.

it's quite normal for them to start ok and then deteriorate - they get more and more tired as the term goes on and it also starts to sink in that this is 'it' and the novelty has well and truly worn off

dd's done the screaming thing on and off since nursery - she's now y1 - we'll have several days of screaming, then suddenly she'll stop and for a couple of weeks she'll go in happily then for no apparent reason the screaming starts again - I just have to have faith that she won't still be doing it in y6 ....

try to keep as calm as possible at home - last year dd would morph from angel child in the classroom to hell child as she stepped over the threshold - I'd have to hand over a snack immediately otherwise the journey home (all of one street away) would be hideous beyond belief, keep after school activities to a minimum, earlyish tea and earlyish bed - my lovely dd started reappearing around halfway through the second term and by the summer term life had got a lot easier and her behaviour had definitely improved

don't worry, your ds will come through this eventually - and it's good training for adolescence

Normal normal normal.

Also, he's probably more knackered now than he ever has been before, many in reception are ime.

And yes to waving a snack at them as they approach you in the playground.

VanessaParody - top name

my daughter who is very laid back and cheery is coming home and being quite bossy and rude. i think she is so tired as she has been full time since end of sept.. she will also pick up on other childrens mannerisms. i think its alot for them to deal with. it will get better but not until you have killed yourself with guilt leaving him crying. good thing is he wont remember when he is older. just stick by your rules. good luck

Normal. Tired, exhausted, overwhelmed.

Are you putting him to bed an hour earlier, with no hyping up play before hand?

my DTs have also jsut started reception and we've had a few incidents of shouting, tanrums etc, they were in bed at about 6 tonight, having slept for 13 hours last night!

Thanks everyone...feel reassured. Despite another hideous drop off this morning!!