1st day of Preschool...not so good.

I dont post here often but i wanted to get some opinions. My daughter just started preschool today. She is very shy but loves to be around kids. Within 30 min of being around new kids she will come out of her shell and is the total oposite of being shy. Today i dropped her off and she went in with no problem. She went right over to the toys and started playing. When it was time for me to leave she gave my husband and i a kiss and said she would see us later. I was shocked, it was to good to be true! Well 3 hours later i go to pick her up and while the other kids are sitting in one of the play areas together she is standing with one of the teachers at the front of the room. I could tell she was very upset. The teacher told me that about 15 min after i left she started to cry and wouldnt leave her side. I know its only her 1st day but now she is saying that she doesnt want to go back Friday. I dont think i can just leave her there if she is screaming and crying. I dont know what to do. I made school sound so exciting to her, she couldnt wait to go and now this happen. Ive tried everything. Im sure shes not the only one whos been though this. Does anyone have any advice. Thanks for reading

Re: 1st day of Preschool...not so good.

I'm assuming that her preschool program is about 3 hours? If that is correct, what i would do is slowly wean her into the complete class time. Take her on Friday, but pick her up after an hour. The next day, leave her for 1 1/2 hours and so forth until she is comfortable.

Let her know that she is just staying for a little while and you'll be right back. Tell her you are going to the store for milk and a few other things and she can play and you'll be right back.

My son's preschool had a transtition week for the youngest class and it worked very well.

And you might be surprised that after only a few days she'll be doing great and wanting to stay the whole time.!

Good luck!

Re: 1st day of Preschool...not so good.

You have to be strong, lots of kids go through this and she will be fine, I promise. It will be harder on you than it will be on her. As soon as she knows that you will not make her go, she will try it all the time. Each day will get better and easier on both of you. My advice is this, walk in, kiss goodbye and get out of there. Do not linger. I would also suggest only one parent dropping her off, so she does not feel like the 2 of you are out having fun without her.
Good Luck

Re: 1st day of Preschool...not so good.

Posted by ChrisDee

You have to be strong, lots of kids go through this and she will be fine, I promise. It will be harder on you than it will be on her. As soon as she knows that you will not make her go, she will try it all the time. Each day will get better and easier on both of you. My advice is this, walk in, kiss goodbye and get out of there. Do not linger. I would also suggest only one parent dropping her off, so she does not feel like the 2 of you are out having fun without her.
Good Luck

Re: 1st day of Preschool...not so good.

My ds cried his eyes out the first day of nursery school as well as the next day and the day after that. The teacher told me to leave him and he'll be fine.

I did and he was.

Re: 1st day of Preschool...not so good.

Thanks so much for all your advice!! I know Friday will be tough for both of us but i will be strong. The thing that got to me was when i picked her up she wouldnt even look at me or talk to me for about 30 min and that broke my heart. I know once she gets used to it she'll love it. But like i said she is very shy and is very much a mommys girl so i know it will take a few weeks. Ughhhhh this is soooooooo hard! Thanks again!