Is it traumatic for a five year old to be sent to school all day?

Question

Does you five year old find it tramatic to be separated from you? Do you think they should be broke in more gradually or start later?

Answer 1

no

Answer 2

I think the tough part isn't the separation as much as it is the whole new routine and the rules.  Even the most orderly, scheduled type of mama isn't imposing the same amount of structure as a school.

My son was in childcare early days, but I became a SAHM when he was two.  Nearly a year later, it was time for nursery school, and he'd forgotten that he'd ever been anywhere else.  So he was younger than five.  But even so, I can honestly say he adjusted pretty quickly.  And he's a bit shy, so I think that if he could adjust, most kids can.

It also seems like our attitude about it really helps.  We talk up school as exciting and fun, and nearly a whole school year after he started, he really thinks that, too.

If anything, the longer you wait to start, the harder it is.  And the more your own reluctance shows, the more your child picks up on that uncertainty - and reflects it.

Answer 3

The child will be fine. Honestly it is usually harder on us mothers than it is the children. My child did just fine going to all day Kindergarten.

There is already a way to break them in gradually, it is called preschool or pre-K. Most are offered in a morning session or afternoon session either 2 days, 3 days, or 5 days a week. Different programs vary state to state.

Try to prepare your child. Talk to your child about school and what he/she should expect. Remain calm and collected while talking about it. If you are worried about your child going all day to school and you show that, the child may react.Take your child shopping and let them pick out his/her backpack. Some kids find it hard the first few weeks being away from mom for that long. However the situation should not be "traumatic" and if it is, the child may need to see a doctor. Other children don't care one way or another. I am a stay at home mom and thought my child would have a hard time but she didn't. She was excited to start school.

Answer 4

It really depends on the child. And what birth order they are in. First borns are more attached to their parents and home because they really haven't been exposed to anything else. But if they have been involved in activities away from parents such as soccer or karate at a young age it will be easier for them to leave.

I was the youngest and I could not wait to go to school! It was too boring staying at home all day without my siblings.

My nephew is the first born and is involved in karate so he is use to having someone he doesn't know be in charge of him. He hasn't gone to school yet but will start in a year.

Answer 5

Some schools are still doing halfday kindergarten but most have switched to fullday because they feel by 5-6 years old children need to start adjusting to all day schooling.  Some schools have year round schooling too.  Here they do for the first 3 wks only half day 3 days a week for an adjusting time for the kids then it is fullday 5 days.  My nephew and my cousin both started this year and they love it but my 5 year old son (who will be 6 in August) went with me to register for next year and he is already freaking out about it and dreading being away all day.  Usually if they are use to all day preschool or partial preschooling everyday they adjust better than if they are only at home with mom/dad or family all the time.

Answer 6

He/she won't be so traumatized if you would relax and not be so dramatic about it.

Answer 7

traumatic? no.  

the best use of a childhood? no, i don't think it's that, either.

i fail to see the huge rush in putting kindergarteners into school full day, except that it's a good accommodation for families where both parents are working full-time.  i think it's sad that we pressure children earlier and earlier.

and don't tell me they need the extra half day to succeed in school.  my two kids who had half-day kindergarten are both working well above grade level.  kids can learn in places besides school, at their own pace and following their own interests.

Answer 8

I went to school all day starting at age 5. I went to preschool for a half day starting at age 4 and I never had any issues. I think that if the child has been eased into it before, they will be fine with a whole day at school.

Answer 9

I thought it might be. I was angry when I found out our school district only had full day kindergarden.  The first two weeks of school they went for a half a day, they have been at a full day ever since.

It has been just fine. Even though my son had never gone to preschool, and had been home with me till he started Kindergarden, it was not traumatic at all. He misses me by the end of the day, but he loves school and is happy.  And when he does have half days, it is a bit of a pain beause my day is broken up into such small bits I can't really do anything with my other kids.

Answer 10

no, i work at a daycare.

and there are toddlers who are left there for twelve hours.

during the first week there is a lot of crying, seperation from the others, and staying close to the adult in the room.

after that, they find friends and start running around like crazy!

but its different for all kids.

Answer 11

no i dont think so my son started at five he was very excited try to make it a fun time for him

Answer 12

My five year old started kindergarten this year and he was fine. A couple children in his class had a hard time adjusting BUT they were fine after the first few days. Even though they would still get a little clingy and teary at drop off, once the parents were gone and the day started they are fine.

I teach pre k so my children are four and five. The children with the problems are the ones that have parents with separation problems. I get upset for the parent because I know that they are just heartbroken over leaving their little one all day. If you don't make a big deal of it, they won't either!

Good luck. SD

Answer 13

I think it's more traumatic on parents than the kids. If you make it matter of fact and a fun thing to look forward to in going to school at that age they won't stress as much about it. It's when parents turn everything into an issue that the the kids start freaking out.

Answer 14

No I think that they have to learn it is something you do for the rest of your childhood

Answer 15

I went to school all day in K I am not traumatized, Really what do they accomplish in 2 1/2 hours.

Answer 16

My daughter couldn't wait to start pre-school. I think it's important for kids to gradually get introduced to a full day of kindergarden.  

When my daughter was 3, i worked at the daycare that I attended collage at. We would spend all day at the collage. The first 4 hours i would work then I would go to class for 3-4 hours. So she kinda got use to me being gone and knew i would return after snack.

When she was 4 although I still worked at the daycare, I thought it was important that she get use to being at school when mom wasn't there. So she did 1/2 day pre-K.

She then went to full day Kindergarden the next year at age 5. She is in 2nd grade now and loves it.

So yeah I think progression is good.. It's important that your child spends some time away from you (even its going to grandma's a couple hours each week) Before they start a whole day of Kindegarden.

Answer 17

my son loves going to school yes he does miss me but he knows I'll be here when he gets off the bus.  He is so excited too when he gets home and has to tell me everything they did that day.  He is in kindergarten.  

He was in preschool last year and at first it was hard for him to go but once he got used to it and realized I would be back for him then he didn't mind going.  Every child is different though and it may take some longer to adjust.