Preschooler Suddenly Doesn't Want to Go to Presschool??

The novelty has probably worn off and/or he was tired or getting cold. So many things can cause this. I wouldn't pull him out if he's enjoying it and just having a hard time transitioning in the morning. Unless he's having a hard time socially or with the teachers and it isn't a good fit, he'll probably go back to liking it again. Really normal.... I wouldn't worry.

There are plenty of days that I don't want t go to work! :)

I would keep sending him. School has rules and routine. He probably was excited at first like all kids are. Including mine, however then they realize some work is required. If you start this now, you may have a problem when its really time to start school. He may think that if he doesn't want to go to school (Kindergarden) that you will let him stay home. Not a good pattern to start. My son is the same way, he is 4 yrs old now. In the morning he doesn't want to go when I pick him up he had a nice day, but wants to stay home. No, to do what? They need other children and learning activty. I would send him.

I have to say from a teaching perspective ( I have a class of preschoolers) that it is not fun and games all the time. We do work. Some of the kids love it and some of the kids just want to hurry up with the "work" part and get on to the fun and games. Sometimes they are not used to the structure. I think unless he voices a specific reason you do not need to worry as much. I also think all kids have good days and bad days, and this may just be an off week. Going to preschool is tiring, make sure he is getting enough sleep and that he eats a good breakfast. My biggest pet peeve about working at a preschool is how many kids do not eat well, they come to school hungry ( due to early drop off) my own son is one so I am not casting stones = )
Also, ask the teacher...she may be able to give you some insight or make the morning drop off easier. Lots of luck!

The novelty has worn off and now he has to do some "work." Mine goes back and forth about wanting to go but once he's there he's fine.

He's kinda the "rock star" of the class. Big personality and knows how to work the teachers with his big brown eyes. He has a little touch of George Clooney in him. All my son needs is a tux and an untied bowtie. He SURE didn't get THAT from me...

Sometimes kids just want something that they like more (staying home with you) or a previous daycare. But it doesn't always mean they don't like where they are at.

I have a little boy in my daycare that I've been watching for a few years on nights and weekends when his mom goes out. He's always loved coming to my house. But a few weeks ago, she asked me to keep him on days. He's good fore me, seems happy enough, and is very cooperative. Today when I took his brother to school, I passed a daycare he apparently went to in the past. He talked non-stop about how much he likes that school. He would obviously love to go back. I suspect that mom can't afford the high price-tag right now. If this kid suddenly starts to complain about coming to my home, I'll know, and hopefully his mom will too, that he's looking for reasons to complain with me because he misses the other place.

This may be nothing more than he misses whatever was happening before.

Can he tell you what it is he doesn't like or speak to the teacher about it? My son went to a Mom's Day Out program from 18 months old to 3. He LOVED it until he moved up to the 3 yr. old room. His teacher was a man and he was quite loud and demonstrative. Very nice and all, but I think he scared my son a little bit. My son is a social butterfly. Never had separation anxiety at all, but all of a sudden he just wasn't interested in going to school and became clingy like you describe your son. I had him switched to another class for the simple fact that he just couldn't articulate why he all of a sudden didn't like class. It was night and day different. He totally loved school again. I would speak to the teacher and director of the program and have them observe your son in class. Is there another child that is bothering him. Does he seem tired? bored? uneasy at all? Look for clues for awhile and then decide whether or not to pull him. We don't want our kids to hate school, but we must protect them especially while they are unable to clearly communicate what may be bugging them. Good luck and I hope this helps!
A.

Hi- another "Pre-K teacher perspective" here- This is actually quite common. Many times kids are excited to start something new and then after a few weeks they realize "oh, I am here for good." Then, for some, the separation anxiety sets in. My advice is to just keep on with the same routine- say goodbye at the door and be really positive about all the great things he gets to do at school. I would also be sure the teacher is aware that he is having these feelings so that the two of you are on the same page. If you find this continues for more than another month I would ask for a sit down conversation with the teacher to develop some mutual strategies to help your son adjust to school. Remember it is a big change for a little guy and patience, consistency and love are the keys to helping him adjust. Good Luck!

My DD was the same when she started Kindergarten in August. She was great the first 2 weeks & the few weeks after that were awful. She was crying, saying she didn't like school, didn't want to go, etc. I assured her it was ok, and she still had to go, obviously. I find that when I didn't make a huge deal of it & was more nonchalant about it, she knew she wasn't going to get a big dramatic scene & she quickly moved on & starting loving school. I think sometimes we forget that kids know how to play us from an early age, and it's better not to feed into it.

He must of had a really fun weekend. He may have been tired or just realizing, this is for the long haul..

It happens in the beginning, but I bet he gets to playing with his friends and gets over it.

Our daughter was in daycare for a long time.. I used to pump her up by reminding her.. You will get to see your friend Veronica.. You will miss story time.. Today is pudding day! Miss Sandy misses you when you are not there.

It did not happen very often, but just the reminders about what she would miss out helped.

I also would let her know I was going to work to make money so we could have fun on the weekends together.. Or I was just going to be running errands all day, Or the people I worked with needed me to help them that day.

Hi D.,
It may be he just doesn't want to separate from you. My son told me that he likes school but wishes I was there. Also, my son will tell me doesn't like it at times just to get a reaction and other times tell me he misses school when we are home. Also, I think they may have so many mixed feelings, where part of them wants to be there and part of them doesn't. Their little world is changing.

With our oldest when she was in preschool; she got to where she didn't want to go. I went to the school to find out directly from the teacher what was going on and how my daughter was doing in the class. Turns out she had great friends but one kid kept trying to wipe boogers on her and that's why she didn't want to go back. Once the teacher, moved the child and kept the child away from our daughter she was fine. Who knows, it could be a small issue. I say take the time to go by and talk to the teacher to see what is going on to be sure. Do what is best for your child. Sometimes a different preschool is best or clearing up what is bothering your child. I hope it all works out for your son.

It seems like there could be something going on, or not, but I don't think you really have enough to go on.

I really recommend the following:

* Meet with the teacher and discuss how your son's doing. See what she thinks about his issues.

* Schedule a time to observe, ideally where your son can't see you observing.

NOT every preschool is right for every child, but I think you really have to see him in that space and compare how he is there to how he is at home.

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You may have to give it a LOT more time. It is definitely the rules that can be the issue. My son is 3 and hates to be dropped off. It is school for him. My daughter hates to be dropped off at Kindergarten but LOVES the afterschool day care she goes to. Often times I will come to pick her up and she doesn't want to leave. The only difference is that there are little rules in the after school program. They play around until I come to pick them up. If they had to do school work, I'm sure she'd hate it. :)

Could be a few things. Change in the weather here, when it's cold and not bright in the mornings, I'd love to stay home too! If you are a SAHM, he may also have figured out that you are home during the day - there was a time when that dawned on my kids too and they were shocked to realize. Also, now that his class is a month into school, they may be starting to do some "work" and it's not all free play time anymore, so he is resisting. Clingy is okay, but he's not hysterical and he had a good time, so it sounds like more of a manipulation and I wouldn't give into it. If he seems to have had fun, he does not dislike it so there's no reason to consider not sending him

I agree with many of the points here. You should absolutely check with/talk to the teacher and let her know your concerns. Don't let it go by without talking to her to make sure he is having fun and enjoying himself.
From another owner/teacher perspective of a prek and day care I can tell you that it is very common right now. We usually keep things fun and light in September, helping the kids transition and getting into the routine. In October/late Sept we start adding more routines and more of the academics and some of the kids resist it. It's also a little about the novelty wearing off. We have kids that have been with us since they were 16 months old and every year around this time they get a little unsettled. This is sort of that crucial time where we tell parents to please hang on because it might get a little rough but then once over this little hump the kids settle in and there are rarely issues after that.
If you really want him to have the experience and the teacher says he is doing fine and having fun...hang on...it will pass soon. If he is not having fun, withdrawn or not interacting it may not be the place for him and you might need to look elsewhere.
Wishing you luck with everything, I hope he settles in, it's not easy seeing him sad about going off!