Need Some Advice- 3 Year Old

[wahmof3]

I have cared for DCB for over a year now.

He just turned 3 late August & DCM put him in preschool.

That's awesome BUT the school he is attending had a lot of funding cuts & the class is all age 5. He just turned 3. The ONLY 3 year old.

I care for him 1 day a week and he is very very very whiny and plays very aggressive. He cries over EVERYTHING! All of these things since he started preschool. DCM says he is always getting in trouble at school.

I would like your thoughts on this. I think he is in a class that is a lot older than he is and constantly has to compete to get toys, attention, etc. Therefore he is acting out and he is not getting good naps during the day.

It is driving me insane- he NEVER behaved like this prior to preschool. I am about ready to term and I really like this family.

I am ready to send him home today.

[Blackcat31]

I think you are spot on that his beahvior is due to his being in preschool. I don't necessarily think it is all from having to fight for toys and attention as much as it may be from just simple anxiety about not really fitting in and being as developmentally advanced as most 5 yr olds are.

He is probably feeling stressed about keeping up and fitting in so all of that stress comes out for you in the environment he feels comfortable in...yah for you right?!

I would talk with mom and see if you can get her to re-evaluate her decision to place him in a preschool calss with kids who are on the opposite end of the developmental charts as her son is right now. That will take a toll on him eventually so maybe taking him out until next year and trying again then might be best for him.

Esepcially if she is aware of the fact that you are on the verge of terming due to this behavior.

[wahmof3]

Thank you! I have him 1 day a week and I am to the point where I want to suggest to DCM to have him go to school 5 days per week and not come here. The only thing holding me back is that I don't think this preschool is a good fit for him. So sending him there 5 days per week and I don't have to deal with him solves my issues BUT that is not fair to this little fellow.

I wish I could talk to his preschool teacher because DCM won't pull him out if preschool teacher doesn't make her.

DCM and I have talked about his behavior and she has said he gets in "trouble" a lot at school.

[wahmof3]

I just had a wonderful talk with the DCM.

She says she is experiencing the same behavior at home. I mentioned that maybe he is stressed because he is younger and "doesn't fit in" (I didn't put it that way) with the 5 year olds.

She listened and was glad that it just isn't her.

We didn't come up with a plan of action BUT the ball is now in her court

I am SO proud of myself- I was gentle, professional, and she was receptive to what we were discussing.