Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

So DS is moving up at his chain daycare center in September so they are starting to transition him for part of the day into the preschool class. It has been just for lunch and naps, today they added some playtime.

They said it didnt go well, and he was so sad and didnt want to leave his teacher or his class. He LOVES LOVES LOVES his teacher (as do I).

So there are two playgrounds, the toddler and the preschool, which are separated by a chain link fence, so he can see them. Apparently, today, he was on the other side with the big kids, but could see his teacher and his class. They said he just stood at the fence and cried for his teacher. She went over to him and told him that he was a big boy now and it was time to play with the big kids, but that he will see her later, blah blah blah.

Needless to say he was SO sad. The director said hes having a hard time with the older kids. Some background, Eddie is very shy, very timid and likes to be with familiar people and doesnt do well with rowdy kids or change.

So after I spoke to the director I went to his room to get him and then we walked back to his cubby to get his stuff. So I asked him why he didnt like the big kids room. He said he was scared and he wanted Miss Denise (his teacher). THEN, with little tears in his eyes and the saddest little voice he said "mommy, I wanted to go on the slide with Miss Denise but Miss Denise doesnt have room for me anymore." Then he just hugged me. BROKE MY HEART!

What do I tell him? Any advice for how to make this transition easier for him or on how to explain it to him.

I tried the same, "youre a big boy now" line and he said "I dont want to be big."

Im just so sad for him and dont know what to do.

Any advice?

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

I have no advice since I'm not there yet, but I just wanted to send Eddie lots of hugs.

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Aww poor guy I wish I had some advice

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

aaawwww thats just heartbreaking
I can just see it
Just give it time...hopefully he will make some new friends in his new class

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Aww...first this is making me choke back tears. As for advice, I would say ask them to keep the schedule the way it is (with just a little of the big kids class) and slowly make the transition. If I was the teacher I would make him something special "Like a macaroni neckalace" and tell him whenever he is sad he can look down at it and know I was thinking about him. HTH

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

I am in tears reading this. My poor little Eddie, that breaks my heart. (don't tell mom this haha)

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Posted by CookieMomster

Aww...first this is making me choke back tears. As for advice, I would say ask them to keep the schedule the way it is (with just a little of the big kids class) and slowly make the transition. If I was the teacher I would make him something special "Like a macaroni neckalace" and tell him whenever he is sad he can look down at it and know I was thinking about him. HTH

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Thanks ladies!

And Tiffany, thats a GREAT idea about the necklace or something!

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Posted by DPerotti

I am in tears reading this. My poor little Eddie, that breaks my heart. (don't tell mom this haha)

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

o.m.g. what a sensitive, sweet boy....he's going to make a fantastic husband some day .

I'm so sad for him!

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Posted by eddiesmommy

Posted by DPerotti

I am in tears reading this. My poor little Eddie, that breaks my heart. (don't tell mom this haha)

I already did and it made her cry....I gave her the cliff notes version though to keep her from completely sobbing!

I get teary every single time I even think about it.

I mean, I know he'll adjust and eventually he will be fine, but I dont know what to do in the meantime to help him.

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Is he the only one moving up?

Poor guy...I feel for you. My dd was moved for summer camp and didn't want to go. It breaks your heart to see them sad.

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

OMG I have a huge lump in my throat over here - poor little guy

I think the necklace idea is a great one. Is the new teacher on the "other side of the fence" helping him with this transition and explaining things to him along the lines of "all the kids move up from miss denise etc etc"

I wish you luck - I have no real advice only for your little guy and I hope he learns to love his new teacher and his new class.

Keep us posted.

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Aww, so sad!! DD just moved up as well but they moved her up with 2 of her buddies as well. Did they move him up alone?

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Posted by DPerotti

Posted by eddiesmommy

Posted by DPerotti

I am in tears reading this. My poor little Eddie, that breaks my heart. (don't tell mom this haha)

I already did and it made her cry....I gave her the cliff notes version though to keep her from completely sobbing!

I get teary every single time I even think about it.

I mean, I know he'll adjust and eventually he will be fine, but I dont know what to do in the meantime to help him.

I REALLY like Tiffany's idea. I don't know what else you can do either. He will adjust, you are right but maybe one of the new teachers in pre-k can really step up to help him (not that they weren't but kwim?)

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Message edited 8/10/2010 9:54:43 PM.

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Posted by shamrock124


Oh man...poor guy doesn't get to move up with his friends? You're breaking my heart!

He will adjust though. It will just be sad to watch him.

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Posted by eddiesmommy

Posted by shamrock124


Oh man...poor guy doesn't get to move up with his friends? You're breaking my heart!

He will adjust though. It will just be sad to watch him.

thanks! I guess it wont be the last time.....someday itll be a girl that broke his heart!

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

nm. saw you post. He was the oldest.

Eventually they will transfer with him.

So sad to see them so disappointed so young.

Message edited 8/10/2010 10:15:13 PM.

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

I'm so sorry to hear he's having a hard time! He sounds exactly like my son--DS also has a hard time getting used to new people/places. He started daycare recently and had a hard time adjusting. Now he seems to have picked up a couple friends, so it's going better. I like the macaroni necklace idea. We gave DS a little photo album with some pictures of us in it (especially me, he missed me the most). Can you get a photo of him with his favorite teacher? He might like to have it in his cubby to look at now and then.

I don't think there is much you can do though, other than comfort and encourage him. Eventually he'll make a friend or two in the new class and then he'll probably like it better. But I know what you mean, my DS had a much better time when he's one of the older kids in his group--right now he's one of the bigger kids in the 2-3 room, and I'm not looking forward to him moving to the 3-4 year old room, though of course, he'll have to do it.

Good luck! He'll adapt, but it's hard to see them so sad.

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Re: Sad for my little guy - need some advice on pre-k

Posted by smdl

nm. saw you post. He was the oldest.

Eventually they will transfer with him.

So sad to see them so disappointed so young.