Terrified Little Girl and Preschool

Why will your neighbor be the one to bring her? I was worried about this with my oldest - who was PAINFULLY introverted... I made arrangements to go with him the first week. Paid and everything, went to class - played for 10 minutes, watched him play for 20 minutes, waited until he was REALLY engrossed, and then asked if he was ready to go. He said no, so I told him I had to go clean up and I'd pick him up later. We've never looked back.

Had he said yes, I would have taken him home and it would be nap time.

I have worked in preschool's before and my 2 1/2 year old son attends one now. In my experience, most of the children start out a little shaky, but quickly warm up. If you select a good school you will have nothing to worry about. Kids need to interact with other kids. It's very important to their social development. And starting her a two days a week would be perfect! Good Luck!

The advice you're getting here is great. Here's something no one else will tell you. Go to your library and check out the book "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn. It's a story of a little racoon named Chester. His mother tells him he will go to school tomorrow for the first time. He doesn't want to go so she teaches him about "a kissing hand". She kisses his hand and every time he is sad or misses Mom he is supposed to hold the kissing hand to his cheek and feel the love of Mommy go all through his body. Anyway, get the book and read it over and over. If you buy a copy it comes with kiss stickers in the back to give to your daughter. You could give her a sticker everyday she goes to school until the kiss stickers run out (about 30).

I'm a children's entertainer for Funny Business and I've told this story to little kids for several years. It's a favorite of teachers, parents, and more importantly - the children.

I never worried as much as when I put my little girl in preschool for the first time. She would worry about everything and was painfully shy. The first couple of times I took her there she cried. She adapted after that but she was never what you would call outgoing. After her second year of preschool she became this different little one. She was outgoing and loved being around her friends but still she was always a bit on the shy side when she was in a new situation. Fast forward to kindergarten this year and she is right in the mix of things. She has adapted very well and has made several friends. I feel that putting her in preschool was one of the best decisions that I have made. Although it didn't pay off instantly with my daughter I think that it made her feel more secure with making friends in the long run. Your daughter might suprise you and actually have a great time at preschool especially since she has a friend already in her class. Just be sure to prepare her (you have plenty of time) and maybe play teacher with her. My daughter loved the game where we pretended we were in school. good luck

Why not call the school and see if they can put you in touch with someone with a girl in the same class so she can have a play date before hand and get to know someone. I know my son does so much better once he has a friend in his class. Either way, I do think you should go ahead with it. She'll have to learn to handle it eventually and it will probably be easier now in preschool than kindergarten with all that added stress. Good luck.

My son doesn't handle change well but is getting better. When there is a change comming I tell him ahead of time in a very positive way. My son goes to a christian based daycare and loves it. He is making friends and learning as well. If you can, talk about it every day and tell her all the wonderful things she will get to do. Don't let her see you stess about it or she will pick up on it. Good luck.

I would hate to put her in an unfamiliar situation but at the same time it could help in preparing her for kidergarten.