Adjusting to PS3

[Anonymous]

How long does it take for the average kid to get into the preschool groove?

No tears during trans week or day 1, but wow, day 2 and ALL the kids are crying! Including mine. We like our school, and are wondering how long it usually takes for the little ones to acclimate to full day preschool. Any tips or tricks?

I'm packing fun lunches, not staying long for drop off, doing a fun activity or errand promised after pick up, and considering driving for a while as I think the 10 minute walk with a backpack might be overwhelming DC. Bedtime has also moved up an hour - yes! Our kid seems happy and wants to play at school after school dismisses, so that's a good sign. There was even a hitting incident on Day 1 and that didn't seem to phase DC (the hitee, not the hitter). Still, when we ask about school it's like pulling teeth to get more than "I don't know" or "nothing." Today it was "i dont like school." Thankfully the teacher says our kid is doing well.

Do they always keep silent and say "I don't want to go." Or will this change?

[Anonymous]

DD had long days in preschool and managed fine. When it came time to transition to older classroom, there was always a bit of a rough time for at least a few days or so. I think it's not uncommon, and I think it's also not uncommon for kids to fall apart while there parents are there but really have a good time the rest of the day. I would keep an eye on the "I don't like school," in case there's really something to dislike. However, I know DD has used that a few times when she's missed us. By all accounts she's happy and doing well.

As far as the "I don't know" or "Nothing," that may not change for a few years. We're still getting that several years later.

I think your child is likely to get into the groove soon and be fine. I don't mean to say "Don't worry about it at all," but I would say that you don't need to worry about it just yet.

[Anonymous]

10:30. Please excuse the typos. Time for me to grow up and learn to drink coffee, I guess.

[Anonymous]

My daughter does a better time telling me what she did if I ask specific questions: What did you eat for lunch? What did you do at circle time? What songs did you sing? Where do you go for a walk? Did Miss _______ do anything funny today? Who did you sit next to? Did anyone come visit your class today? Was there a new student today? These questions tend to trigger her to remember other things that happened during the day, too.

[Anonymous]

My DC says they did not sing, draw or have storytime. Only a few days in to ps3, so how knows. I have been specific. yikes!

[Anonymous]

Hard to get the three year olds to remember what they did anywhere, frankly. Our school had an email to parents so we could reinforce what was happening (learning about plants, marine animals, whatever it was). We still don't get much at four. It is weird to not know what they are doing all day!

[Anonymous]

It gets better! My DS is in P-K this year but we did DCPS preschool last year at the same school. He cried a lot at drop offs for the first month and then it got better. He often said stuff about not wanting to go to school but I knew that he was doing well when he was there and I had a great feeling about the teachers and other kids. That age is super unreliable when they report their day. He would tell me he did nothing, played with no one, read nothing, etc, despite that his teacher told me he was doing great. I think it's partly boys, partly the age. This year he tells me way more about his day and is much more comfortable at school, so it has all been very easy. Hang in there and unless the teacher tells you something is wrong, it's probably fine.

[Anonymous]

my DS loved PS3, PK4, and is loving K now. he looks forward to going to school everyday. that said, when asked about his school day, he reveals exactly JACK DIDDLY SQUAT! it's like pulling teeth! and this is an otherwise chatty, engaging 5 year old. it's like they have a secret life they don't want you to know about. i'm seriously thinking this kid could work for the CIA.

so don't worry too much if your kid doesn't tell you much. it's common, i hear.

[Anonymous]

Ditto. My boys at age 3 rarely said a word about their days. Now as 1st graders they can't stop talking about what they did. DD on the other hand was prepared with a psychological analysis of each of her classmates by the end of the first week, and has always provided infinite details about her day.

[Anonymous]

OP here. My kid had a minor potty accident today and they called me to make sure the bag of clothes they had were really his (the label fell off). During the call, I asked if he was sad again today and she said "off and on." Then she thanked me for doing what they asked and dropping-and-leaving this morning. She said none of the other parents did that, and consequently her class was a wreck until 10:30am. I was happy I was able to comply, but super sad to think of my kid watching all the other parents. Oh, and he still won't eat lunch, according to the teacher. He says "I'm full." Not true.

It really gets better? Feeling sad over here. Big time.

[Anonymous]

OP, I think for almost all kids it does get better. My DS really, really struggled last year in PS3. He got into a groove slowly, and seemed to generally enjoy school. After a year and looking back over the summer, however, my husband and I decided he wasn't really ready for PS (at least not in a large class, 5 days/week, long day). We made the agonizing decision to withdraw him from his awesome charter and take our chances with the lottery again in kindergarten. I don't know any other families who have done this, and my DS is INCREDIBLY introverted, but I believe we ask a lot of 3 year olds and not all kids are ready for it. That said, it is still very early in the school year to really know how your child will do.

[Anonymous]

Hang in there, OP. Most kids do absolutely fine. It's a transition for you, too, so give yourself a break as well. Especially if the teachers say he is doing fine!

[Anonymous]

OP, I just want to chime in and offer moral support! I could have written your post: the tears, the non-answers, the full lunch bag at day's end. My DD is also in PS3, and she was in a 3 day program last year where she struggled with separation anxiety for about a month, then loved it. It IS a long day for a 3 YO, I question if it's too much sometimes. But she is happy at pick up and my DH did drop off today: no tears! I think it will get better and I'm trying mightily to relax!

[Anonymous]

We are struggling with similar issues and I also wonder if age 3 is just too young for a full school day. On one hand it is awesome to have the opportunity for our preschoolers to have free and full day school offered here in dc ( regardless of the caliber of school you have available) On the otherhand we are throwing them into the fire so to speak at a very young age that our VA and MD friends are not doing. We are on week two and I don't know if it's the right thing or not. If only we all had a crystal ball to know how our decisions would impact our kids down the road.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are struggling with similar issues and I also wonder if age 3 is just too young for a full school day. On one hand it is awesome to have the opportunity for our preschoolers to have free and full day school offered here in dc ( regardless of the caliber of school you have available) On the otherhand we are throwing them into the fire so to speak at a very young age that our VA and MD friends are not doing. We are on week two and I don't know if it's the right thing or not. If only we all had a crystal ball to know how our decisions would impact our kids down the road.

OP here. Not necessarily. Day care for patents who work is far longer than 6-hour preschool. I don't think the day length is a big deal here. Adjustments are tough.

We are doing better! Thanks for the encouragement. I'm trying to reserve judgment until November.