My 6-year-old has had a great year in kindergarten, and we're down to the last couple of days. He's normally a happy, easygoing kid who can't wait to get to school, but for some reason, this week he's been off-and-on moody, whiny and defiant. And he's dragging his heels about getting out the door, which he doesn't usually do (other than normal kid dawdling).
This morning, he woke up complaining that his stomach hurt and he didn't think he should go to school. After I gave him a Pepto tablet, he ate a full breakfast while chattering away, bright-eyed. And after breakfast, he was walking a little stiffly and complained that his knee hurt, another reason, according to him, that he shouldn't go. He did trip and fall on it at school yesterday, so it really might have ached a little bit, although I didn't see any bruising or swelling. But yesterday evening he was running around like crazy on the playground with his friends and didn't say a word about it.
Some of his classmates (and their parents) have said they're not coming for the last day of kindergarten, and he wants to do the same - of course I said a firm no to that.
Add to all this the fact that he's been intermittently teary, cranky, oversensitive and disobedient, and we've had ourselves an intense week, to say the least. Is all of this normal at the end of the school year? I would think he'd be excited to wrap up school and enjoy the summer. He'll see his friends sporadically throughout the summer and will be at the same school next year, so there are no big transitions on the horizon. I'm just perplexed as to where all this is coming from.
Thanks, everyone! Sure enough, as soon as he got out of school on the last day, he was beaming from ear to ear and has been back to his happy, sweet self ever since. I think he was just ready to be done! I appreciate the reassurances.
Totally normal, mine and several others are doing the same thing too ... teacher says they just do not want a good thing to end and they think that doing this will make school go longer or something ... lol kids just do not like transitions, it is what it is.
In high school they call it Senioritis..
Transitions are hard for children. He may not even understand why he feels the way he does.
He is already beginning to miss his friends, teacher, school.. the schedule will change.
He is already a little nervous about next fall because everyone is already talking about first grade and the expectations....
Try to set up some play dates with his school friends. Meet ups at the park or for swimming..
He just needs to be able to understand, people are not disappearing from his life, but taking a break..
The break will be filled with... You set up a list or a calendar, so he can look forward to fun activities. He is feeling unsure...
Children love having the heads up and schedules.. Keep him in the loop..
Normal. Kids generally "check out" a few weeks before the end of school.
K is a BIG year!
It's probably been long and intense for him.
Everyone has their limit.
Wait till the end of the summer, you will feel the same way. :)
It is not that they aren't excited about the summer it is just it isn't here yet.
Have you asked him how he *feels* about end of school? My 6th grader has been acting like this but that is expected since she is going to a new school next year. He's probably a little sad for school ending and a little excited for summer starting and he doesn't know how to express his feelings or use his words to TELL you how he's feeling. So just ask him, "are you sad school is ending? Will you miss your friends, teacher? Are you excited for summer? Nervous?" And give him some ways to express his feelings. This is all normal for this time of the year but you need to TEACH him how to communicate with you. Good luck.
Totally normal. In addition, if your son's school is anything like the one my kids attend, they have really loosened up on the structure. Teachers are packing up and wrapping up and don't want to start any new material. Usually this means one of two activities, extra recess or videos. While this works well for the teacher who is anxious to get all of that extra stuff done, it can make the kids really squirrelly. Especially Kindergartners. Little ones love their routine.
I agree with others about transitions being hard too.
Oh gosh yes - both of my daughters have been crazy lately. Whining, needing extra hugs, annoying each other, etc. Transitions are so hard for kids.
My children looked forward to the end of every school year, and when it came, they cried. This is a big seasonal adjustment. Be sympathetic, but encourage him to enjoy the last few days, and know that his erratic ways are temporary. Once he gets into the summer schedule, he'll enjoy that, too.
My 1st grader and my preschooler (starting K in the fall) are doing the exact same thing.
I agree with the other posters... it's frustrating, but normal. Think about how much is changing.
I think it must get easier as they get older and understand better what summer break is like, and that they get to go back in the fall, and as they get older they know more of the teachers for the older grades too.
J.
Normal. Especially in light of the fact that apparently many of his friends have informed him that they won't be there the last day(s). Of course he doesn't want to go. He expects to be the only one there!
And yes... they are all hyped up about it being the end of the year... all the "work" is done... and that just makes everyone's emotions on edge. It's like they get them all hyped up for the end... and then... they still have to get up and go to school.
I used to sort of feel like him--what's the point in going when your friends will be staying away and the work is done and it's just playtime (you can play at home, ya know?).. but then the teachers usually have spent time planning something fun for the very end. There are almost always books given away (the class library being pared down or something like that, a teacher retiring and dispersing with her school stuff she won't use any longer, etc)... And extra playground time.
But the emotions? Totally normal. Remember mom, after this he will be a 1st grader. And I'm sure that idea (how scary!) is not lost on him.
My kids are like that. Part of it is I think they are letting them be more active cause they are not doing a lot of school work. And they are just tired from their year. Like around Christmas they need that break and spring break. Leading up to those mine get cranky and slower. They don't try to not go to school cause they know they have to be running fever or puking or something that the school or dr will not let them go to school.
When my son was young like that and got cranky it was usually because he was coming down with a really bad cold of the like. The other kids were never cranky about school unless there was something going on at the school that they couldn't quite put their feelings into words.
Be the master mom detective and get to the bottom of this mystery or their is always visits to the park on the way home from school every day through the end of the school year if he manages to keep a positive attitude.
A reward of a part trip usually got rid of all the school blues for my kids.
Yes, VERY normal. I teach kindergarten, and I have noticed the same things every year (for several years). I know I am more tired this time of year, though hopefully not too cranky. The last week or so of school is very different, at least at our school. We have a lot of "special days". I have to say though that they don't really involve videos or extra recess, and there was very little packing up in my classroom. I was way too busy with my kids on those special days (Literacy Day, Math and Science Day, Fun and Field Day). In fact, today is my first "official" day of summer, and I am not anywhere close to having my room packed up. Anyway, the kids are staying up later due to ballgames and it being lighter later in the evening. We are really busy with school. And there is a sense of change, though kinderkids don't fully understand that. I will say that I have never understood kindergarten children "skipping" the last day of school. That is when we have a lot of fun. It is also when we send home some special things (like memory books, photos from the year, and report cards).
