Do you have parent blinders on?

lizlemon77

I didn't think that I did but apparently I do.

I just got back from a mini parent/teacher conference.  Isabelle has been in preschool for almost two months now.  She is very outgoing and extremely verbal and I thought she would do great at school.  The teachers asked me today if she talks at all at home.  Apparently she rarely says anything at all for the two half days that she is there.  Now granted, she is the youngest one in her class, but I just didn't see this happening.  I feel so sad for her.  They said she loves to play and is very well behaved, they just don't ever hear her say anything. 

Any suggestions on ways I can help her open up when I'm not around?  I honestly had no idea this was a problem!

Yodajo

I don't think I would call that having blinders on.  She just acts differently away from you, which most kids do to one extent or another.  I would give her a little more time and talk to her about her day when you pick her up.  Maybe you can pick up little clues from your conversations on if she is anxious about anything and how she feels about things in general.  Talk up the highlights of her day.  Maybe she just needs a little more time to feel confident at school. 

kittycarr

I don't think you have blinders on.  You can't know something without someone telling you. 

I don't know what to suggest because all three of my kids have never shut up from the moment they were born.  Not to say I won't run into the issue when E&B start school but Ty didn't have that issue when he was little.

My neighbor's daughter doens't say anything outside of the house and I just tell herwhen she asks that she'll grow out of it.  I had another friend who's two year old never spoke - she's six now and has apparenlty been long grown out fo her no talking phase.

Yodajo

Another idea is to maybe arrange a plydate with someone from her class that she likes and talks about.  Maybe having a little interaction with someone from school in an environment she is more comfortable with (home) would translate to more social interaction at school.

lizlemon77

yoda, that's a great idea.  Thanks.  I think I just feel bad about this because she is so outgoing and talkative at home and when we are out together.  I feel like school isn't getting to know the real her. 

Angela814

She's only been there for a couple months, and she's only their two half days. I'd say it might take her a bit longer to warm up.

Annalise is a chatterbox at home or in situations where she's comfortable. Outside of that she's very quiet. She's pretty much exactly like I was at her age. I've always enjoyed school, but I never wanted to be the center of attention there. Big groups just aren't my thing, and that's okay. Doesn't mean I'm not happy to be sitting observing in the big group. I think Annalise is going to be the same way with school.

Isabelle might grow out of it, or she might just be the type that doesn't like to talk much in big group settings. As long as she seems happy and is playing well, I wouldn't worry about it.

Yodajo

lizlemon77:

yoda, that's a great idea.  Thanks.  I think I just feel bad about this because she is so outgoing and talkative at home and when we are out together.  I feel like school isn't getting to know the real her. 

They will.  I bet she just needs a little time!

JOEBunny

Yodajo:

Another idea is to maybe arrange a plydate with someone from her class that she likes and talks about.  Maybe having a little interaction with someone from school in an environment she is more comfortable with (home) would translate to more social interaction at school.

This.  I make a point to have some of DD's school mates over to play on off days periodically, and she is ok at school.  I just think it makes the transition easier and I get to see how she interacts with the different children, so I know who is most likely to set DD up to create positive play.

Aliliv

That's definitely not parent blinders!  Your daughter is simply trying to get used to her surroundings and she may feel intimidated a bit.   When my niece was in Kindergarten, her teacher was concerned that she appeared not to be learning her ABC's well...... My sister was floored that the teacher said this, so promptly had her daughter read to the teacher the nearest magazine.......  not parent blinders, simply a matter of not being privy to everything that goes on in a classroom.