How does your LO do "downtime" or quiet time?
CHS2005
member
DS has just started a 5 days a week pre-K. Its state funded so attendance all 5 days (8am-3pm) is mandatory. He seems fine at school, teacher says he is great, pleasure to have, etc.. However, he is REALLY struggling at home. *Every* *single* *day* is a struggle in the afternoons with meltdowns. He is exhausted, and overwhelmed at the end of the day. Some quiet, down time in the afternoons helps, but I am not sure how to do that. He responds best to an hour of games on my phone or TV, but this seems like a poor habit to encourage. Plus, he then has a melt down when its time to turn it off (we tried using a timer, saying "only one episode", etc. - nothings working.) The other problem is that DS2 cant give him any space - our house is tiny so there is little to no separation for them. Any ideas ? Help!
TIA
Re: How does your LO do "downtime" or quiet time?
She does the same, watch her shows on Netflix, play games... She's good playing quietly if she has time and space to herself. Sometimes I try to go upstairs and put clothes away with the baby to stay out of her way. She kind of processes what happened during the day with her dolls or stickers.
eta: adding: she also will have a snack and sit at the table with her iPad to stay away from baby.
I totally agree! We live in GA and its a statewide free program, otherwise we wouldn't do it. I think we are in a wait and see pattern for another month before we seriously consider moving him to a private place but that would be $900 a month we are paying that we don't have to. I agree that kids in daycare do it and he has since a baby, but the structure and "less fun play" are really too much for him at this point. ughh
Its not special ed - its a statewide program for 4 year olds that is open to anyone in the state of GA. The reason its 5 days, full time is that there are not enough spots for everyone who wants one, so they require attendance since you are taking a spot from someone else. Its a question of using a free statewide public education program or paying $900 a month for a different program that is in a private daycare or 4 year old educational program. The first question is how to get him some downtime ? and then, secondary, at what point does saving $900 become not worth the school being too much from him ?
Honestly, I think it sounds like it may be too much for him to handle. My 4 yr old would have major issues with that much time at school right now. He goes to a church preschool from 9-12 on 3 mornings per week.
It's less than $200 per month and he loves it. And I think he'll be fine for K next year too. Just my opinion that a preK program that lasts that long is just too much for the average 4 yr old.
But for downtime, my 4 yr old usually plays in his room with his train tracks, books, tag reader, etc. Some days he gets a 30 minute video also. He usually will play in there for up to 1.5 hrs....then I get him outside to ride his bike while his brother is still napping.
After a long day at school, I'd offer a healthy snack and some outside playtime. Then maybe when you get home, he could play in his room undisturbed for awhile.
Will he nap? It may take time but start a routine and let him rest. My son goes to PreK two half days a week and is exhausted! He HAS to nap and goes to bed early.
Or read to him, play quiet games, tell stories. I think that tv and such are too much stimulation after a busy day. Cook together!
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Do they give a nap there ? Most Preschools do give a nap but maybe this program is different ? My four year old would be very cranky if he was playing/learning that long without a nap.
My son goes to an in-home daycare for 8 hours 3 days a week, where she does pre-school activities and free play. 99 % of the time he ends up taking a 1.5 hr nap at her house, whereas at home he won't get as tired and does not take a nap some days. School/daycare makes kids tired and rest is crucial for young children. If this program doesn't have a rest time then I would definitely pull my child out- free or not.
Wisconsin has free 4k, too, in public schools. I thought this was more common than it sounds. Our DD will be attending next year - why? Because we will save over $1500 a month in daycare costs, that's why! All of my friends who did 4k said it took a few months for the child to transition, but they do. And 4k is not that intense - it's baby steps leading up to kindergarten. They still have quiet time, play time outside, story hour, that type of thing. It's just more structured than a daycare.