Does anyone have any advice on how to help a Kindergartender cope with crying in class?
537885
This is a very typical behavior of children in kindergarten.  My daughter did the same thing.  It really does hurt, to see them crying and in distress.  But, you must realize that this is a normal part of adjusting to changes in life.  For some children this is just a part of that progression.\n\nI agree that taking something familiar to school with her, might help.  I have even had a teacher suggest letting the child bring a photo of the parents.  Or, just ask your daughter if there is something she could take that would make her feel better.\n\nBut, like most things in life that are painful....time is going to take care of this.  She will adjust.\n\nAs for disrupting the other students...  Handling these situations is a part of a teachers training.  And, it's not like she is the first kid to cry for mom and dad.  That is just par for the course, in kindergarten.\n\nTry not to worry!  She will be fine!  I think these situations are, sometimes, harder on the parents than on the child.  It does feel like your heart is ripping out for them.  But, Sweetie...they have to learn how to handle lifes stresses and realities.  It's called growing up.\n\nHang in there!  And, God bless!
920923
Tell him to stop crying like a child, and get some help. He is not the only person in this world with that problem.
499346
I really do sympathize with you.  I teach sophomore English to very low level, at-risk students.  My kids are straight out of that old TV show, "Welcome Back Kotter," however, the attitudes and ambivilence are often laced with a home-grown coating of physical abuse, drugs, alcohol, etc. etc.  I have a student right now who was exactly like those you are describing. He'd been in jail, alternative school, ISS, you name it, and simply didn't seem to care. He often said, "I'm going to fail anyway, so what's the point?"  He'd dig his heels in and sit in his desk staring into space and refusing to even attempt the most trivial task.  It frustrated me to no end, but rather than let it aggravate me further, I told myself that I was going to make a conscious effort to say something nice to this child, or to acknowledge him in a special way every single day even if I had to draw down the sun, moon, and stars to find something positive to say.  First I just said things like, "Hey Fernando, that's a pretty fine shirt you got on," or "Did you get a haircut?  It looks good."   Next thing I knew he was picking up a pencil and writing a few words, answering 1 or 2 questions on a worksheet.  So I kept at it, and he started doing another 2 or 3 questions and guess what?  Today, Fernando completed 3 entire pages of a 6 page packet featuring VERBS! :-)\nHe hides behind my door every morning as the kids are filing in and I say "Gee, I think there's a big bug in this hallway---I think I heard it behind my door--I better get some RAID!"  For the past week and a half or so he's actually been coming into class smiling.   \nI don't know if this helps you or not---I know that all of our students are unique, but even when they're in high-school--15, 16 years old, I've found that there are those that so badly crave our attention much like that of a little kid.\nHang in there---persistence and patience are blessings bigger than we could ever know!  (hug)
610183
bring this up at your next parents meeting,the chances are hell have a friend at school who he needs separaing from in class,it worked with my son,they were distracting each other so now they can mess around but only at playtime!good luck!
1133883
First, I would give it a try in regular school with the kids - it might help get over your childs shyness & if your child seems to be withdrawling then maybe a Special Education setting would be more appropriate.  What ever it takes to get your child in & through school you do - no matter what.  My Granddaughter was very shy but as soon as she got with other kids in pre-school she just took off and was let's say very "un-shy" - so it really helped her out being with other kids.
1171954
you are sooo lucky, because I am the youngest of 4 (go class of 06) and I have everything ready.\n\nShes going to cry a lot. Let her. Give lots of hugs on move in day.\n\nBefore you leave for move in, leave a present in her closet or a drawer and tell her you left her a surprise for when she gets home. A mushy card and a framed picture of the two of you is good. \n\nbefore you go, tell her that you need to adjust to the first two weeks of school and send her an email once a week. After you have a routine down, tell her which day (and time) you can talk to her for a little bit. \n\nInvest in picture phones (and an unlimited messaging plan) and send pictures of you at school (in the library, here's your friends, etc.) She will like knowing that you are okay.\n\nIf she gets really worried or missed you, tell her (or teach her) how to send a POL message. POL is "proof of life" so she isnt worried about you being cold or hungry. Send a text or take a pic of you and send it back as soon as you can. (it's easier than 8 million phone calls.)\n\nthe trick to keeping your mom okay is to keep making her feel needed- its part of why she is upset. Send her an "I would love some cookies..." note or a say that you could really use some socks/underwear/shirts (even if you dont) because she'll feel good about helping.\n\ngood luck at school.
1028888
Try to stay calm.  Most of us felt that way on our first day of teaching.  On my first day of real teaching I was 17 years old and I stood in front of a class of 43 kids and wondered what on earth I was supposed to do.\n\nYour feelings of nervousness will go away as the days pass and  you see that you can do this.  The fear that you feel is normal, and will actually make you better at your job, because it will make you prepare your classes well.  That is key - be well prepared.  Teach your lesson and get the kids involved in asking questions and you will find out what you did well and what wasn't explained clearly enough.    Try to have a little humor in your classes, but not to the extreme.  Try to "read" your class, and if it will work let them know you are nervous and would appreciate it if they let you know when they don't understand something.\n\nWe all had to start somewhere, and we all learned as we went along.  Take it one day at a time, and at the end of everyday review in you rmind what went well, and what went not so well.  Find a teacher on staff that you can talk to.  If you run into big trouble, get help - don't let it fester.  Be fair in your classes, and the kids will recognize and respect that.\n\nIf I can help in any other way, feel free to contact me through this site.\n\nIt will all be ok.
982453
They may find it hard to make friends, concentrate, may be defiant to teachers, won't do homework/ may be disrupptive to the class. May not eat lunch or breakfast and generally seem sad and withdrawn. \nOh, that's sad, I hope your little one or whomever's will be okay.\nCommunication and recreationa are the key. \nI encourage my daughter to say a secret prayer in her heart while she is going through something.
526814
Just be there for her.  She is going to feel guilty and sad and angry all at the same time and really there is nothing you can say to help but just being there as a shoulder to cry on when she wants will be a help.  Don't try and cheer her up but at some point it will be good for her to talk to some professional counselor.  Don't push it be if she brings it up then encourage her gently.
10095
Get them active, in maths for e.g get them picking balls out of bags a write down results, the more involved they feel the more fun it'll be so the more they will remember!  I hope I've helped!!! Good luck teachings hard!!!
284128
No...tomorrow will be a very stressful day for me. I have to teach kindergarten all morning (while be evaluated) THEN I get to go to classes for 3  hours and give 2 presentations. Lucky me!!! Pray for me lol. \n\nAt least when it is over, I will have somewhat of a break.
631089
It depends on your child's individual needs and abilities. I would suggest visiting your state's education association website to see if they have Pre-Kindergarten curriculum guidelines that they use in the public school. This might be a good place to start, and you can modify these if neccessary to meet your child's needs. \n\nAs for books, I would suggest reading books to your child as a regular part of your homeschooling. To begin teaching your child to read, I recommend the awesome book, "Phonemic Awareness in Young Children: A Classroom Curriculum" by Marilyn Jager Adams\n\nI would also try to keep a consistent schedule and routine as much as possible, and work on coping strategies for times the routine must change, if this is an issue. \n\nGood luck and enjoy learning with your child!
702005
tell him he should try to talk 2 his friend u can talk to his mother or father,talk him to school and tell him to make new friends its never over with friends in less one of them did something really mean to 1 anther ,but it will be okay if he came home crying then the other friend did something wrong,i hope every thing works out for him good luck
28114
I called my sister and asked her.  She's a kindergarten teacher.  \n\n\n"Knowing manners, sharing, waiting for a turn are all more important than knowing numbers and letters from day one.  Knowing them helps, but they come to school to learn the numbers and letters.  That's what kindergarten is for."\n\n\nShe recommends making sure your child is part of a playgroup or preschool at least once a week so  he/she knows how to deal with other kids.\n\nOh and cutting/pasting is for hand eye coordination and important brain development.\n\nI hope that helps.
984344
Why did you wait until the night before the test to start crying out for help.\nNext time, make the teacher take time to bring understanding, even if it means staying afterschool.
1073232
All of mine did that put a few little toys in his bed and let him entertain himself. If he cries let him. it will break your heart but he will be fine. just get up the first time check his bum and his belly if both are fine kiss him and lay him back down. it usually takes a week or two but they realize you aren't going to entertain them and give up. hearing them cry is the worst part but be strong.
457629
Schedule a parent/teacher meeting with her teacher. See if the teacher is willing to stay after school a couple of days a week and give her one on one tutoring.\n\nMy little brother went through the exact same thing with his math and english lessons and his teacher was more than happy to stay late with him since teachers are always at school after the kids to home.\n\nAlso, it may be a tough decision to make, but it is almost the end of the school year. If you daughter just quite doesn't grasp what she is trying to learn, maybe it is best if she is held back a year. If she is struggling so hard now, how in the world would she survive in a higher grade?\n\nGood luch!