SA DCK Napping?

[daycarediva]

He is 5 1/2 and going to K in fall, but he has been AWFUL behavior wise and I spoke to Mom about his obvious lack of sleep affecting his behavior and she enforced a bedtime, 8:30 and because dck is newly diagnosed with ADHD, the pediatrician started him on fish oil, a vitamin supplement and melatonin. He always has layed down for afternoon circle/story time with the littles, and then I would have him come with me when I left the room, but now he is falling asleep (usually the first one out)! He is sleeping from 8:30/9p-6:30am, and then yesterday slept from 1:30-2:45!

Mom started the meds Friday night, and he napped both Saturday and Sunday at home as well. Mom has no issues with him napping here as it's obvious to both of us he was sleep deprived.

His behavior this week has DRAMATICALLY improved.

BUT dcm and I are both concerned about how this is going to affect him at K. They do not allow them to nap (will wake them) and only have a 30 minute 'rest period' after recess. Dcm doesn't want to put him to bed at 7:30, as she usually gets home with him at 6. During the school year he also needs to be up earlier (6:00).

We are both SHOCKED at how much sleep changed his behavior. He was the kid jumping on the bed at 11p and wide awake at 5am and very, very hard to keep quiet at naptime.

Any advice for me and/or dcm? She mentioned holding him back, but he will be 6 1/2 when he starts K if she does that, and even I agree that's a little old.

[Heidi]

Since Kindy is not compulsory, she could hold him back and then enroll him in 1st grade next year. The only thing I would worry about is if he's keeping up with the academic stuff they learn in Kindy.

If mom or you is willing to make sure that happens, then it would work.

She should really talk to the school counselor/psychologist and see if there is a way to meet his need for a longer a nap. If this is something that is part of his diagnosis, they may be willing to see what they can do, especially if it positively affects his behavior!

[daycarediva]

Since Kindy is not compulsory, she could hold him back and then enroll him in 1st grade next year. The only thing I would worry about is if he's keeping up with the academic stuff they learn in Kindy.

If mom or you is willing to make sure that happens, then it would work.

She should really talk to the school counselor/psychologist and see if there is a way to meet his need for a longer a nap. If this is something that is part of his diagnosis, they may be willing to see what they can do, especially if it positively affects his behavior!

Awesome ideas! I wonder if the pediatrician/specialist that diagnosed him wouldn't be willing to write it out? Hmmm... will see if Mom wants to look into that!

He really, really needs help if he is going to be held back. He didn't pass the K entrance examination and they are already formulating and IEP and BIP (I have a BIP here for him as well, haven't had to use ANY of it all week though!) So going in, he needs special services. He doesn't recognize all of the alphabet, or numbers, and he has speech issues that aren't being addressed right now (will in K) etc. Such a rough spot for him!

[CedarCreek]

Isn't is such a shame that they don't allow naps anymore in Kindy? I remember being in there and being really tired! I needed that nap.

The school system nowadays can be a sad place.

[Heidi]

Do you do a preschool program? I can't remember...

Does the school have a part-day early childhood program?

[NeedaVaca]

Don't they offer a half day Kindy? Our schools offer both

[daycarediva]

I do prek (not in summer) and honestly, he needs 1:1, so I don't think another year with me will get him where he needs to be.

There is no half day program available, and no naps are offered here (my ds is going into K so DCM and I attended orientation together)

[Familycare71]

I have one that is going in early (4.5) and is diagnosed with Autisum... I am so mad his parents are sending him!!! He NEEDS a nap!!
It is too bad we don't have half day kindergarten! Next you know Pre-K will be full day and as "normal" as Kind...
It just isn't what's best for the kids!!

[daycarediva]

Isn't is such a shame that they don't allow naps anymore in Kindy? I remember being in there and being really tired! I needed that nap.

The school system nowadays can be a sad place.

ITA I went to 1/2 day PM kindergarten and we had a nap time. I remember picking out my sleeping bag to bring to school and being so happy using it every day, and I ALWAYS napped at K!!

[daycarediva]

I have one that is going in early (4.5) and is diagnosed with Autisum... I am so mad his parents are sending him!!! He NEEDS a nap!!
It is too bad we don't have half day kindergarten! Next you know Pre-K will be full day and as "normal" as Kind...
It just isn't what's best for the kids!!

Hopefully your little guy will get special programs and be allowed to sleep. My ds has autism and started K early and they allowed him to take naps since the class size was so small it didn't affect their schedule.

[itlw8]

dgd got real cranky when kindergarten started moving bedtime to 7:30 solved the problem

[blandino]

I so wish that they still offered 1/2 day Kindergarten, like what I went to. Our schools switched about 15 years ago, and then added 1/2 day 4 year old program - which is BECOMING FULL DAY this year.

THey will offer nap at pre-k, but it will be 45 minutes. My 4 year olds take 20-30 min to fall asleep, so they will be getting 15 min of nap each day. I wish they had an option for children to do only 1/2 day, but it isn't even an option anymore. :confused:

[Unregistered]

My Pediatrician says that kids NEED a nap through age 6. It is sad that kids don't get what they need, but rather what educators/admins. WANT.

I have seen the effects of a good night's sleep on kids, too. I have a kid (4.5) I was ready to term and after months of pushing Mom to take the kid to the doctor, she finally did and Melatonin helps him sleep now, too. Saw a difference the first day. Now our little monster is a pleasant little boy, all because he's finally getting sleep. And, he is still napping 2-2.5 hours in the afternoon, as well.

[daycarediva]

My Pediatrician says that kids NEED a nap through age 6. It is sad that kids don't get what they need, but rather what educators/admins. WANT.

I have seen the effects of a good night's sleep on kids, too. I have a kid (4.5) I was ready to term and after months of pushing Mom to take the kid to the doctor, she finally did and Melatonin helps him sleep now, too. Saw a difference the first day. Now our little monster is a pleasant little boy, all because he's finally getting sleep. And, he is still napping 2-2.5 hours in the afternoon, as well.

Sounds just like my dcb! I can tell in a SECOND when he didn't get enough sleep and have him lay down for a bit and rest, every time he falls asleep and EVERY TIME he wakes up in a wonderful mood and is much better behaved.

My dcb's parents have an appointment to speak with the principal and have dcb's pediatrician writing up a letter recommending that he nap.

[Cradle2crayons]

Another thing to consider I've found, at least here.

My program is much much more active than kindy. Kids that have needed naps faithfully here, never needed them in kindy.

That's one of the typical issues with kindy and school in general with children with ADHD. They don't usually get enough energy out. So, the other problem.

I honestly Wouldn't worry about it and give it a shot.

As others have said, kindergarten isn't mandatory in most places so if its not going well, they will apply services.

But give hime a chance first, it may surprise you!!