My 2 yr old son, is starting to go to play school - but he doesn't want to go - ANY ADVICE?

Question

My son is 2 yrs old, and he is starting to go to play school(started 3 days back). Everyday he goes to school he is in tears, clutching my hand tightly, doesn't enter the school(stands at the entrance, even when all other kids have gone inside). Today(3rd day), i had to pick him up early(unable to bear the plight of the kid). I know it is just the starting trouble and i DEFINITELY want him to mix around with other kids. Usually he does not have a problem with people(I dont think he is a loner), but the context of school seems to be a NO NO for him. Any advice to help him to look forward to go to school, will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

i worked as a preschool teacher for several years and let me tell you that 5 minutes after you walk out the door he is fine! he is playing with his little friends and having a great time. now he probably will fuss for a week or two, but that is normal. talk to his teacher (not the director they like to spin things) and see how he is during the day....

Answer 2

I never taught 2-year-olds but teaching a pre-school Sunday School class I had a problem with some parents who would try to reason with their crying child for long periods. Once I got so frustrated I snatched the child from the parent. Only once did the crying last for more than a minute after the clingy parent left, and that was when a big sister was holding the kid for the whole hour. The next week things went pretty well. Giving kids shots makes them cry, but we don't want them to get whooping cough. Would you reason with your son that he shouldn't cry over immunizations, or let him skip them if he doesn't like them? Leaving kids at school makes them cry for a little while, but we want them to grow up. Lay off the worrying and quit trying to reason your way out of this. If he really has adjustment problems the school will discuss them with you.

Answer 3

Oh boy I had the exact opposite effect from my son. The first day I took him he did not understand what was going on at first but when I went to pick him up he actually got mad at me and ran under a pine tree that went all the way to the ground and I had to crawl under the tree and drag him out. Ruining my panty hose.

One thing I would do is maybe bribe him. I know it does not seem fair to bribe a child but it works for my son. Sometimes I tell him if he goes to school today I will take him for Chicken Mc nuggets after school. Or give him a cookie when he gets home and sit down with him and see if he can explain why he does not want to go to school. there are just somedays they do not want to go.

I know that when I was a child and my mom took me to day care I looked ofrward to Tuesdays and Thursdays when she would pick me up early she would take me home and make a lunch and that was our time together.

I am sure he will get better just think that we as adults have a hard time adjusting to new things and just think how much harder it is for a child who can not express their feeling but only with a cry or a simple word phrase.

Good Luck it is hard I know but he will be better for it. my son is so much more advanced than he could have ever been if he stayed home with me or my husband. rememberr it is only the 3rd day and he might not feel comfortable with his surrondings yet.

Answer 4

That depends. Does he NEED to go, or do you WANT him to go?
If you need him to be there because you have to work, etc. I would first make sure that there is nothing going on, like another child biting or hitting. Also check how caring and attentive his teacher is. There is nothing wrong with listening to your child's cries. But is you can't find anything wrong, reassure him that you will be back to pick him up and make drop-offs loving, but short. Remember that he only started 3 days ago. He will need time to adjust. (Some kids take a month or 2).

If he does not need to be there, you might want to reevaluate your reason for leaving him there. I agree with previous answers--he is very, very young, and will have plenty of time later in his life to experience school.

Answer 5

You need to be very matter of fact with him; walk him to his classroom (if you are not allowed to do that, you probably need to be looking for a different school), give him a hug and kiss and tell him you love him and will be back for him when school is out. He will adjust after he has made a friend or two, but DO NOT pick him up early just because he is crying; he needs to accept that school is a part of his day now. DO NOT let him convince you to let him stay home "just once" either; if you let him do it one time it will be even harder to get him to go back. You might get a clock with a large face, and show him on it where the hands will be when it is time for you to pick him up, if there is a clock in his classroom he can keep track of when it is getting closer for time to go home. Possibly get him an inexpensive children's watch to wear as well. If any of the kids in his class live near you, speak to their moms and see if your kids can carpool together - one of you take them, one of you pick them up each day; or alternate weeks of both taking them and picking them up. Having a friend to go into class with may help. Talk to him in the mornings about what fun things he thinks he may do that day - read stories, play with blocks, whatever...and be sure to ask every afternoon what he did that day! Chances are once he starts to tell you about the things he did that were fun, he'll be more eager to go back the next day. You need to keep the attitude yourself that of course he is going to go, it would not occur to you that he would not want to. If you are ambiguous about him going, he is going to take advantage of that and manipulate you into keeping him at home. Be firm, he'll adjust and when he does you may have the opposite problem - convincing him to leave when it is time to go home each day!

Answer 6

ahhh..can you stay with him in class a few more days longer..he is young and don't understand quit yet....He probably think your leaving him there for good. Talk to him tell him about when you went to school and how you was just like him..tell him about meeting new friends...explain to him that school is very important..so he can write and read..ALSO tell him you will never leave him for a long time and that you are coming to get him all the time(until he get's used to school)...and that they have toys and color paints and crayons and bikes so he can get more excited to go to school..When you pick him back from school tell him how proud you are for him going to school and getting big....all he needs is a little encourage ment...and praise. I was just like you I couldn't bare leaving my daughter when she first started..I stayed with her in class , the first week ..and picked her up early until she was use to it...ps. AND also explain that you have to go to work so he can get everything he needs and that they don't want little kids around where you work..Anything just to make him understand a little better and always reassure him that you love him with all your heart.

Answer 7

How do you react to his tears and fears? if he senses it makes you feel helpless and worried he will continue to act this way for it means he gets more attention from you. Just be firm and clear. He has to go. Don't give him too much attention when you take him to school, make the goodbye casual and short, not a long tearfull one. Then he will know that its no use dragging things to get more attention of you and he will get used to school being a routine each day and open himself up for new experiences.he ay even allow himself to enjoy it! Good luck.

Answer 8

oh God ! please don't listen to lady_bug_2000... man what a freak'n menace... people like her need serious professional child rearing classes... classic separation anxiety which is one key identifier in ECD it is at 2 years of age that humans start to more deeply understand and notice aspect of object permanence... try to always remember that this is a developing brain that doesn't have all the experiences you and I do... if you really try to relate and think as a child would... you will start to understand it all much better and will be a better, happier parent who can then raise a better, happier child - good luck

Answer 9

Separation is hard for both the parent and child ... but the best advice is just to suck it up and drop him off. He will make friends and ultimately warm up to the school.

Answer 10

its just starting trouble...it'll b very tought for him...u can ask the teacher to help him to make friends...and make sure no one is troubling him in the nursery(school)...explain him how nice it will be to go to school learn new things..make new friends...and make sure not to raise ur voice at all...he might get scared.

u can try this!