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Expert Q&A

	By Harriet S. Worobey, M.A. Early Childhood Educator Director, the Nutritional Sciences Preschool

At the end of the morning, my 3-year-old sonø preschool teacher takes the class to the playground so she can meet with parents. The children play while the parents visit and catch up with the teacher. My son has a horrible time leaving the playground. He cries and doesnŴ want to go. What can I do?

I just want to make sure that I properly understand the question. At the end of the session, the children exit via the playground and your child is reluctant to leave school. Correct? This is not unusual. Since you are already there, he feels safe that you have returned and would happily play on the playground for as much time as possible. Of course, since the session has ended, this isn't possible. I'm sure that you have already explained to him that school is over, that the children go home, and that the teachers need to clean up. Reading a story about going to preschool or making your own book about preschool that emphasizes the school (we do this, this, this, and this; then the parents return and the children go home) could help reinforce this at night or before he goes to school.

Another suggestion would be to bring a timer with you. When it is almost time to go home, show him the timer and tell him that he can play for three (or five, or whatever) more minutes. When the timer goes off, it will be time to go home. Perhaps there is a special outdoor toy that he feels he hasn't had enough time to play on. You could speak to the teacher about seeing if he could be first to play on/with it the next day. Be sure that you empathize with his feelings. "I know it is hard to leave when you are having so much fun, but it is time for all the children to leave. Come tell me what special things you would like to do tomorrow." It is important to help a 3 ?-year-old verbalize his feelings and let him know that his feelings are normal and OK.

Perhaps having some special games you play or songs you sing in the car on the way home will also ease the transition. Definitely resist the urge to bribe him in any way (candy or new toys) if he doesn't cry. That would only reinforce the crying and get you into a bad habit that is difficult to break. Perhaps the teacher has a special book to lend him or could make him a special "see you tomorrow" card that he could take home with him. Hope some of these suggestions are helpful!

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