My daughter started Kindergarten this year and has been in daycare for the last 4 years. She loves her daycare, but hates Kindergarten. This is her second week and she cries every day before school. She cries at school too. As soon as I pick her up from Kindergarten, she begins to tell me how she doesn't want tomorrow to come and asks why she can't be two years old again so she doesn't have to go to Kindergarten. I need tips and advice on how to help her become more excited about school.
Jennifer, Longmont, CO
Dr. Yinka Davies, Pediatrician, Mother of Two, says:
Kindergarten is a big step and can be very tough initially! Your daughter will eventually adjust. You may need to solicit some additional help from her teacher explaining her reservations on coming...
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My daughter started Kindergarten this year and has been in daycare for the last 4 years. She loves her daycare, but hates Kindergarten. This is her second week and she cries every day before school. She cries at school too. As soon as I pick her up from Kindergarten, she begins to tell me how she doesn't want tomorrow to come and asks why she can't be two years old again so she doesn't have to go to Kindergarten. I need tips and advice on how to help her become more excited about school.
Jennifer, Longmont, CO
Jeff Winckler, Educator, Father, says:
Off hand, I'd venture to guess that her behavior is either a transitional matter in going from one setting, a familiar one, to another, a new one, or it's in response to the structure of a...
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How do I get my 5 year old to stop sucking his thumb? I have tried many different things and he still does it.
Heather, Erie, PA
Dr. Yinka Davies, Pediatrician, Mother of Two, says:
Most children stop sucking their thumb between 3 to 6 years of age. Although there are many commercial products on the market to help deter your young one from sucking his thumb I always feels we can...
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How do I get my 5 year old to stop sucking his thumb? I have tried many different things and he still does it.
Heather, Erie, PA
Debbie Drown, Educator, Principal, says:
Thumb-sucking may be just a comforting habit, or it may be stress or anxiety related. First try to determine if there are certain times that your child sucks his thumb. For example, does it... See More Details
My daughter is 6 years old and will not stop following me around the house. Now that school is out, she calls me every 20-30 minutes and when I'm home, she sits under me and is literally walking on my heels. I love her so much but it's driving me crazy. She won't stay with anyone because she said she misses me too much. How should I handle this situation?
Tabitha, Lake Mary, FL
Debbie Drown, Educator, Principal, says:
You daughter sounds like she is going through a little bit of separation anxiety. I would try to establish a daily routine when you are both home that is written out on a schedule, preferably in... See More Details
My daughter is 6 years old and will not stop following me around the house. Now that school is out, she calls me every 20-30 minutes and when I'm home, she sits under me and is literally walking on my heels. I love her so much but it's driving me crazy. She won't stay with anyone because she said she misses me too much. How should I handle this situation?
Tabitha, Lake Mary, FL
Dr. Yinka Davies, Pediatrician, Mother of Two, says:
Such behaviors are common among young children and are usually resolved by 5 years of age. This is normal and healthy for younger children to develop attachments to the adults in their lives and... See More Details
My 5 year old son is painfully shy, and has a really hard time making new friends. We recently had to switch schools during the middle of the year, and he does not seem to be making friends at his new school. What can I do to encourage him to make friends?
Dana, Oak Island, NC
Dr. Yinka Davies, Pediatrician, Mother of Two, says:
Keep in mind that many children outgrow shyness with time. Allowing them to warm up to a new situation, arranging one on one play time to build on confidence, taking small steps that lead to positive...
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My little one is starting Kindergarten next year. I'm afraid she's going to have a hard time being away from home. How can I prepare her?
Martha, Easton, MA
Debbie Drown, Educator, Principal, says:
If your daughter has not been in preschool or other situations where she has been away from home, it's not too late. Contact your local parks and recreation to locate summer programs where your... See More Details
I was overweight as a child, so I'm very sensitive to my 4-year-old daughter's weight. So far, she's average. How many calories a day should she consume?
Savannah, Norwalk, CT
Debbie Drown, Educator, Principal, says:
Many parents have that concern. There are many websites that can be found through searches that give recommended daily food values including calories for children. With a four year old, though, I...
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How can I teach my 5-year-old to be kind? Recently, he's started bossing other kids around, especially if they're younger or smaller than he is. I don't want him to turn into a bully.
Dion, Allentown, NJ
Debbie Drown, Educator, Principal, says:
It's not unusual for children to become bossy with younger or smaller children. Here are a couple of suggestions: