WDYT? Preschool - change in DS's behavior

Hooray2005

DS used to love going to school, would race off ahead of me and couldn't care less when I was leaving (but was always happy to see me when I returned).

Lately, however he's acting more clingy when I leave, saying he'll miss me, and that he wants to go with me. ?He's using stall tactics to keep me there longer, etc. ?He does go and join the classroom, and when I return he is playing with other kiddos.

What do you think about this change in behavior?

I've asked him a number of questions (in a non-leading way) about how he likes school, etc. and since he's not super-verbal, he can't really tell me yet. ?His teacher is also not super helpful in the details department.

Would you change schools??

ETA: ?I'm not in love with the school, but it's 'good enough' for now - all of the desired schools have year-two long wait-lists, so switching him isn't an easy task.?

lizlemon77

How old is he?

Brewster

I think it is a phase.  My son isn't in school, but he stalls everything all the time.  Even if we are trying to go somewhere for him, he stalls.  It is driving me mad. 

emilykristene2006

I wouldn't change schools. They go through phases. DD was home with me for 3 years. Her first day of school she ran right in like she didn't know me. Lately she's been telling me she doesn't want to go when school starts again. She just wants to stay with me.

I know she'll be fine when she goes again. Then she will have days where she doesn't want to go again. 

Hooray2005

lizlemon77:

How old is he?

He's 3-years 4-months. ?He's been at this school since May, and had been in another school (before we moved) from Sept-Dec 2008.?

omurray

Its hard to know for sure.  I would definitely ask the teachers about it and try to find out if he has had any sort of incident with any other child or teacher or if something scared him or something.  Its hard to say. 

It could also just be a phase.  My DS is almost 3 and we have been going to The Little Gym for about 2 yrs now.  He has always loved it.  A couple months ago, he stopped wanting to go, would cry when we went in, wanted to sit in the lobby or go home instead of going into class with the other kids.  Slowly, it got better and better (the teachers were really helpful with encouraging him to re-join the class).  Just today when we pulled into the parking lot for class he said to me "Mommy, I think I'm gonna be okay today", and he was, like nothing ever happened.  I think it was just some sort of insecurity/separation anxiety phase.  I'd say it lasted about 5 weeks or so.  And, FWIW, he is super verbal, but was never really able to explain why he didn't want to go, just always said he was sad there.  Strange, but seems to be over it now. 

Good luck!

littlemermaid

I would ask the teacher if he is fine after you leave?  If he plays well with the other children?  Does he cry while he's there?  If she doesn't know the answers to these questions then you have a problem.  But my daughter went through phases throughout her whole preschool 3 year old and even 4 year old that she would love it and then hate it.  She would go through crying phases and then it would pass.  So it's most likely a phase but I would discuss it with the teacher to make sure.