I pulled her out - any ideas as to what now?

[Miss H]

I pulled DD out of Kindy. She was not coping emotionally. I won't get into it now. But I do need to continue with something at home until we try again next year. I am not very good at the entertaining thing and was wondering if anyone knows of a good book to give me ideas or examples of things I can do with her to prepare her for school. I know she must paint and draw etc and I get her those workbooks and go through them with her but it feels like there is more I should be doing. Any ideas?

[LimeSlice]

I would suggest a Montessori school. There are a few around Perth that qre quite good, and they begin from 3 years old.
Certainly they will be able to offer you help if nothing else as to what to do with her until next year, but will also prove I think to be a great option for her now....

Good luck

[Doodlebug]

A Montessori school sounds like a good idea. Maybe even a private 3yr old kindy where she can go 1 or 2 mornings a week only? There are a few of those around. (I'm assuming she was at kindy 2 full days?)

[Rouge]

I too would also suggest an alternative as if she wasn't coping emotionally, you may find she won't be school ready by next year. The most important part of Kinder is learning to interact with other children ie. saying no, making friends etc As well as learning to take instructions from strangers and the obvious one of separation from parents.

[Miss H]

if she wasn't coping emotionally, you may find she won't be school ready by next year.

Just curious as to why you think she won't cope next year if she is not coping this year?

She suffers terribly with separation anxiety as this was the first time that she has been away from us. She is a very sensitive child and is scared of alot of things including other children. I have been taking her to playgroups for the past year and dancing but she is still scared. She won't play with the other children at all. The three year old Kindys here involve me going with but I can't take my toddler with. I have no one to leave DD2 with so that is out and leaving DD1 is not an option at the moment. I am going to continue to take her to playgroup, dancing and include Kindy Gym this year. I am hoping that by next year she will be more emotionally ready as she will be 4 yrs 8 months by then. I just want things I can do at home to keep her occupied and interested and learning.

[AnyDream]

Have you considered introducing her to seperation in a more supported environment? I'm thinking along the lines of a morning or afternoon with a lovely gentle family day care lady. This is how all my kids learnt about separation, as I drove off each time I knew my DDs would get as many cuddles as they needed while they learnt to get on without me there. Just a thought...

Also, find out whether kindy has a mid-year intake... perhaps in 4 mths she might cope better than she has now.

Also, lots of good ideas on Playschool every morning. Story time at the library (they often do craft there) and you can pick up some books about going to school, kindy etc so get her more used to the idea. Also find out if there is a playgroup at the kindy you plan on sending her to (often they have a playgroup there on a Fri when kindy's not on) - you stay there with your kids, it will give her some interaction with other kiddies and also familiarity with the place.

HTH

[~Serenity~]

It's hard with the school cut of being changed it actually worked to my ds advantage cos he is a July baby so he got to stay back a year which is just what he needed he turns 6 this year in pre primary

[*Ang*]

Whereabouts in Perth are you Miss H? I live SOR and know of a number of 3 yr old kinders where you are not required to attend and where they are only for 2-3 hours at a time.

There is also an occasional child care centre in Booragoon and Beeliar where you pay (I think) $8 per hour and can leave the child there for only a couple of hours. I have used the Booragoon one and it is fantastic. The sessions dont have to be regularly booked either (like a daycare). You just ring a few days in advance to when you require care. My DS started kindy this year and is a June baby and one of the youngest in his class. We used the Booragoon one last year for a few sessions to get him used to the idea of being away from me.

Alot of catholic primary schools are also now offering 3 yr old kinder. Perhaps speak to your local one and see what their costs are and how often you are required to attend.