Preschool

Madden is officially a Preschooler!

We had Round-up back in February and Registration was in August. During Round-up he had a lot of fun playing in the preschool room with all the toys, he didn't want to leave. When we told him it was time to go he said "Ohhh man!" with this huge disappointed look on his face. We've talked about school often since then and he had seemed to be excited about going. 

Come registration he did not want to go! I tried to talk to him more about school in hopes to get him use to the idea but we wanted nothing to do with and cried at the idea of going to school. Thankfully a few other kids at his daycare were also going to start going to preschool so they all talked a lot about it. Our daycare provider made sure to help get them all ready too. Three of the other kids were going to different schools but the other Madden had went to the 3-year old preschool part-time last year at our school and was going back so they would be in the same class which helped a little.

Unpack Your Backpack Night

On registration day he still did not want to go to school but thankfully registration was across the street at the church so I was able to tell him we were just going to church instead and he was okay with that. The following week at Unpack Your Backpack he was a little hesitant about going. He didn't want to talk to his teacher and he stood by our side for a bit. He helped drop off his supplies to the right places and then realized he could play with all the toys. Stella and Carter were there too which got him very excited. 

Madden has moved from his in-home daycare that we've used since he was 3 months old to his schools daycare, the adjustment has been a bit difficult for him at first which is understandable. He started going to just the daycare two days before school actually started to help get him acquainted with his new teachers, friends and surroundings. They are in the same building and connected by a small hallway. The days leading up to his first day he seemed to be okay with going to school with Stella and the other Madden as well as the idea of Carter and Maddens sister being at the big school. But at drop off Day One he got very nervous, shy and was a stage five clinger! He cried for me not to leave him and tried running to the door to block me from going out and tried to come with me. The teachers had to pick him up and carry him away and I just heard him screaming and crying all the way walking to my car. It was terrible!! It was hard on him which made it extremely hard on me too. The teachers said he calmed down after a bit but then as soon as Aunt Steph dropped off Stella he started crying again, probably thinking no one was going to save him. 

The next morning at breakfast he told me "Mommy I not going to cry today." I felt so bad, he was trying to be tough. There have bee a few days when he gets really sad at daycare, especially during pick up when parents are coming to get their kids particularly if Uncle Jordan or Aunt Steph show up to pick Stella up. He is very concerned about where his mom and dad are and why we haven't picked him up yet. He has even tried to tell me he was sick and didn't feel so he couldn't go to school. He told me he needed to go to the hospital. Little stinker is already trying to play the sick card!  I think there has only been one other day he really cried . 

Madden is 1 month into the school year and his new daycare, over these past few weeks he has really started adjusting well. He says school is fun and he likes all his teachers. He talks about all his new friends he's made aside from Stella and the other Madden who he already knew. He is picking up writing and recognizing the letters in his name. He colors inside the lines pretty well and is actually drawing pictures and not just scribbling. 

 Some kids just take a little more time than others to adjust to new schedules and surroundings. I've learned to be more patient,supportive, empathetic and encouraging to his needs. I am so happy to see him thriving and loving school/daycare. Now the after-school tantrums are something entirely different...