Going to kindergarten is one of the biggest events in your child’s young life. Especially if your child has been enrolled in an early childhood development program, your child may feel like everything has led up to this one moment—starting kindergarten.
Some children find the bigness of kindergarten exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming to others. Both responses are normal, just like an adult may feel excited or apprehensive about a new job. You shouldn’t be surprised if your child doesn’t want to go to kindergarten.
Why Doesn’t My Child Enjoy Kindergarten?
Kindergarten should be one of the happiest times in a child’s life. After all, kindergarten is when everything is new and fun: new school supplies, teachers, friends, games, routine, and so much more! This is the time to be care-free and enjoy every moment, so why do some children cry about kindergarten?
There could be countless reasons why your child doesn’t like kindergarten, but here are a few common reasons:
- Unfamiliarity: Kindergarten is full of new things, which can be exciting for some kids and intimidating for others. Kindergarten can be too overwhelming to handle for hours every day, especially for sensitive children.
- Life Stressors: There can be other life changes, such as a move or loss of a family member, that can make a transition to kindergarten even harder.
- Family Attachment: Your child may have a special attachment to parents, siblings, grandparents, or other familiar relationships, and they genuinely miss these loved ones while at kindergarten.
- Bullying: Unfortunately, bullying behavior can start at a very young age. Your child may be a victim of bullying or be having relationship challenges with peers or teachers.
How Can I Help My Child Enjoy Kindergarten?
Most parents want their child to enjoy kindergarten and will do anything to help them get adjusted. Just as each child’s situation is unique for why they might dislike kindergarten, there are many solutions to helping your child enjoy kindergarten.
Don’t Worry and Fret
Children can intuit more than adults realize. If you are anxious, worried, or fretful over your child’s dislike of kindergarten, this can heap guilt and anxiety on your child that will make the situation worse. Stay calm, curious, and kind when talking with your child about their dislike of kindergarten.
Ask Good Questions
Try to ask open-ended questions that will uncover the real reasons for why your child dislikes kindergarten. Although asking yes or no questions can help you get started, open-ended questions let your child fill in the missing information.
For instance, asking your child “are you tired after school?” is a yes or no question that helps you know if fatigue is a factor. If they say yes, asking “tell me what makes you tired at school?” or “tell me when you feel the most tired at school?” let your child give answers without feeling they have to respond a certain way.
Listen
Listen carefully and curiously to your child’s answers. Watch their facial expressions and body language as they talk. Listen to their tone. Ask follow-up questions.
Validate Their Feelings and Experience
Small children generally have small problems, but these problems seem big to them! No matter how insignificant their struggle may be, have a sympathetic spirit towards your child. Although you shouldn’t coddle or encourage wrong behavior, belittling your child or telling them to toughen up will likely result in greater anxiety and stress.
Share Your Own Experience
If applicable, you can share your own experience in kindergarten. Did you miss your parents? Was another kid unkind to you? Were you anxious about school? Empathy can be very comforting to your child.
Talk With Their Teacher
Sometimes your child can’t or won’t give you helpful information. If this is the case, or if you want to confirm your child’s information, it can be beneficial to talk with their teacher. The teacher can often give insight into your child’s demeanor and struggles throughout the day and offer solutions or suggestions for improvement.
Kindergarten Prep at Children’s Academy Childcare
One of the best ways to avoid the challenge of beginning kindergarten is to enroll your child in a quality early childhood education program like Children’s Academy Childcare!
Our outstanding curriculum not only gives your child a head start on academics, but helps them learn all the social skills and routine expectations they will encounter at kindergarten. Children can develop confidence and independence through enrollment in an early childhood education program so they are successful on their first day of school and beyond.
Contact us today to enroll your child in Children’s Academy Childcare!