5 Year Old Upset About Going to Kindergarten

Agree with the first two posts, books that emphasize the fun but important parts of school especially kindergarten are so great for kids and having him pick out school supplies. How about also including a couple of trips to the new classroom before the first day jitters. Having him see his classroom now and then transformed on the first day by his teacher could be a wondeful stepping stone to encourage his new adventure. Plus he could feel really important meeting and spending some one on one quality time with his new teacher. I am sure in a matter of the first week or two he will love his new found classroom and the adventures in store. Good luck.

My daughter is starting kindergarten this year also. I highly recommend the book "The Kissing Hand". It's a book about separation when staring school and is on a lot of reading lists. Also like a previous poster said bring him to the store and have him pick out an outfit or two for his new school year and new school supplies. Also tell your grandson about all the new friends he will make and new things he will learn. Good luck!

I generally don't make a "big deal" whether positive or negative about new situations. I just don't say anything about it usually and that has helped my two kids (5 and 3). For example, when going to the doctor for shots, I don't say anything about the shots until the nurse pulls it out. It just causes alot of anxiety. My kids don't even cry when they get their shots and i think it is all because I don't make a big deal out of it. I think the same thing goes for new experiences too. If he is upset about going to kindergarten, I wouldn't say anything more about it unless he asks. Don't try to talk him into it. It probably won't change his opinion and it will just remind him about it again. He will have fun once he gets there. You might also be able to set up an appointment with the school to go visit and walk around to check it out.

My 5 1/2 yr old has been in the same day care since he was 11 weeks old and now will go to kindergarten. When my husband took him in for registration during the winter he practically had to drag him in the building--but he was fine once a friend of his from the day care showed up for registration also. Since then we've taken him to events at the elementary school and made efforts to emphasize who that he knows will be with him at his new school and we've taken efforts to have him interact with others who are going to go to kindergarten at his school. If I were you I'd ask around to find other families with kids who will be going to kindergarten with him (even if you don't know them well) and try to set up some play-dates. My efforts in this regard were very well received, and I think it has helped a lot. You should also take him to play at the play ground of his new school.

They do have some fun books about the first day of kindergarten. My daughter was very nervous last year, once she was there for a couple of weeks she loved it. Has he got to pick out a schoolbag? Sometimes the fun school shopping gets them excited. Also, they are pretty good about letting him bring a favorite toy or stuffed aninal...it usually stays in the schoolbag until recess. Good luck :-)