thread: DD cannot tell me what happens at school

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    Perth
    486

    DD cannot tell me what happens at school

    DD1 is 4 next week and in Kindy at the local Primary school. She started this term so is in the 5th week. She is a bit used to it now and doesn't cry at drop off although does cry during the day. However, I am dying to know what she did every day but she can never tell me. If I ask her she says she doesn't know so I have tried asking her questions like: did you draw, paint, sing, dance, learn letters, talk to any children etc. She just says no or that she doesn't know. Is this a normal thing for her age that she cannot tell me what she has done? She will sing songs that I know she must have learnt at school or she will now recognise a letter that she didn't before so I know she is doing something but I wish she could tell me what.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Jan 2008
    1,413

    Yup totally normal! Unfortunlaty, my DS goes to kinder and has since Jan. and I ask
    What did you do today.. nothing
    Did you paint "yes"
    Did you play with the kids "yes"
    Who did you play with "no one"
    What did you have for snack" banana"
    Did you have fun " yes"
    Then he teaches his sister well tries to a new song that he learned,
    then i ask " did you learn that at kinder" he says "nope"
    I have spoken to the teacher she said every kid is different but most other parents i have spoken to say there kids do the same thing.. Nope Yes Nothing..
    So I am going to be a parent help in a couple weeks to see for myself what they do exactly!

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Nov 2007
    886

    Sounds normal to me.
    When ever I ask DD1 what she did at school, I get " I can't remember" or " I don't know" or "Nothing"
    If the teacher happens to tell me something they did that day ask I ask DD about it she says "how did you know?" lol like it's some big secret.
    Slowly she is starting to tell me things that happen at school, more so about friends etc than school work.
    All the mum's at school complain about the same thing, so you are not alone.

  4. #4
    Lucy in the sky with diamonds.

    Jan 2005
    Funky Town, Vic
    7,070

    When DS started school they actually told us not to ask (straight away at least) how their day was. They usually end up coming to you with any news, I ask DS at bedtime because he has had some time to digest his day before I start firing questions at him

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Jan 2009
    pakenham, victoria
    3,660

    yep DD1 is the same, i know if she actually HAS done something because she shouts it out.
    every week though i ask her wat she had for lunch and she says morning tea...every single week...exact same thing!

  6. #6
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber & MPM

    Feb 2007
    Melbourne
    5,462

    Yep, very normal . My DS1 started Primary School this year and STILL doesn't tell me what he did! All I get is "I played outside" .

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Aug 2006
    On the other side of this screen!!!
    11,129

    If you can go along and spend the morning with them one time might be helpful...they keep a pretty similar routine from day to day so it might help with formulating questions.

    Who knows what goes off in their little heads, my DD (still only 2.5) has been telling a long and rambling story for the past week and a half, it's all about when they went to the play cafe and it was time to leave and the FDC lady told them the door was gonna shut. ??? I've had this story on at least 4 different occasions, still not sure why it's so newsworthy LOL.

  8. #8
    Life Subscriber

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    6,683

    When DS1 started prep, the school actually sent home a list of questions that can help parents to talk to their kids about school. Apparently "what did you do today?" doesn't get many replies at that age! The questions were things like:

    - who did you sit next to at lunch?
    - what was the best thing you did today?
    - who did you play with outside today?
    - what did you do at school today that made you feel really proud?
    - What did you do today that was difficult?
    - what game do you like best at school?

    etc

    Perhaps some of these might help! Good luck hun!!

  9. #9
    Registered User

    Jan 2006
    8,369

    When DS was 2, the HV (CHN) told me that children aged 5 often can't say what they've done today. Some children start at about 2, just over half can do it at 5, most can by 7.

  10. #10
    Administrator
    Add Rouge on Facebook

    Jun 2003
    Ubiquity
    9,922

    Don't ask! It was something we were told not to do as well (by our school principal). Instead have a conversation about YOUR day, lead by example. Tell her all the things you've done, even if it's mundane. Don't bombard your child with a million questions as often that just confuses and flusters them. My children (4 & 8) tell me everything and I'm absolutely certain it is because we just "talk" I don't ask iykwim?

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Jan 2006
    The Hawkesbury
    4,505

    I think its normal hun. Some weeks DS will just say "i cant" (thats his answer when he doesnt want to talk about something) and not answer any questions i ask him about preschool.. some weeks he will. I just put it down to that he must have had a busy day and be tired and doesnt want to talk about it. Fair enough. lol i remember as a kid being asked whats new or what i did today and my answer was always, not much.. even though alot of things happened. Think its just part of being a kid.