The first few days of school….

@ 33 months

Ryan turned 33 months today and what a day to remember. Today, being the 7th day at school, finally he stopped crying. He was close to tears but he held back. He actually said ‘okay mommy‘ when I told him I’m just going to stay outside the door to take pictures and videos of him. We gave each other goodbye hug and a kiss and I walked out of the door. I was actually anticipating his cries but VOILA .. to my pleasant surprise, he shed no tears today. Infact he got busy right away, checking out the toys, puzzles what not while the teachers were busy settling down other crying babies. Ngek ngek ngek.. Bravo Ryan!!!!!!! Mommy is sure proud of you!!!!!

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Ryan started his first day at school on the 8th Jan 09. I was so anxious about the whole thing that I didn’t sleep well the night before.

That morning all of us woke up around 7.15am. Daddy had taken leave to accompany us to the school. We reached the school around 8.15am. Since N1 (3 year olds) students will only attend Circle Time Term 2 (obvious reasons) so we need not go to the assembly hall. Instead we got straight to the classroom.

Ryan was very happy in class which I am not surprised since there were many toys and books laying around. He helped himself with the trucks, puzzles etc. Of all, he was particularly fond of the horsy toys. I don’t know why but he like them so much he wanted to bring them home. Ryan truly enjoyed songs and stories time. Well, sessions like these are not new to him so I guess he probably feel a sense of familiarity. On this day, both hubs and I stayed with him throughout the 3 hours. To my relief, he was able to take on instructions well and answer when teachers asked him question. Save me from worrying he wouldn’t be able to express himself. Teacher was quite amazed at how well Ryan behaved and actually said this boy is one independant boy. Hahaha.. let’s see.  

 
Day 1. Looking a bit scared and lost when we first arrived…. 

On day 2, the crying started. No.. not Ryan. Some kids started crying because they simply refused to get into the classroom even under the parents/guardians companion. Of course some parents have chosen a more cruel but effective way to cope with separation anxiety by leaving their kid with the teacher right from the start. For me, I chose to stay. Again, Ryan behaved well throughout the class and participated in the activities/games. I did try my luck a few times by leaving the room. I told Ryan I’m just going to the toilet and will be back in no time. He said okay… but when reality hits and he realised mommy is no longer in sight, the crying starts. Poor boy. So on day 2, I actually stayed with him most of the time.


Day 2. Ryan opened up and was able to participate in most of the activities (with mommy by the side though)

Day 3 was the last day parents are allowed to stay on in the class. Today I refused to let Ryan cling on me. I stood at the back of the class and asked him to participate and do everything on his own. It was quite difficult at first as he kept running back to me for comfort but after a while he got the hint. Occassionally he turned his head to make sure I was still around. That night, same like the previous nights, I continue to tell him about stories of school, his friends, etc etc etc.. and showed him the videos and pictures I took.

 
Day 3. During gym session

Day 4, the nightmare began. Parents were asked to leave the room after their first toilet break. There were so much cryings everywhere (from other classes too) that I thought it’s going to bring down the whole school. I told Ryan I will go out to buy a pressie for him and will be back by 11 o’clock (no.. he doesn’t know how to read the time but I have been teaching him to recognise 11 o’clock). Expectedly Ryan was okay for the first few mins but when reality hits again, the wailing starts. Sotong couldn’t contain her tears. I almost cried myself but I controlled and held back my tears. I even told Sotong, “it’s okay.. it’s natural for kids to cry. This is a phase all has to go through”. I want to laugh now that I think of it. Did I actually say that?? LOL. 

I stepped away to the canteen as the crying was just too much to bear. Sotong was tasked to monitor Ryan and text me with updates every 15 minutes. After about half hour, I got the long awaited sms from Sotong. Ryan had stopped crying. So does everyone else. Phew….. great relief! 

When I picked him up after school, his eyes were a little puffy but he still gave me the biggest smile of his when I showed him a Pooh bear which I bought from Popular bookstore in the school. Well, I kept my promise on the pressie bit. :D


Day 4. Being comforted by one of the teachers (Liang laotsi). While some were just sobbing, this boy was definitely screaming his lungs out. Sobs…..

Day 5. I brought him to the school playground before class starts in hope to settle him better. He was all happy jolly until the minute we reached the class. Right after we stepped in, he clinged on to me like a koala. I thought to myself, sigh.. another crying episode. The teacher tried to coax him but to no avail. I have to toughen up. After a hug and goodbye kiss, I left him with the teacher and left the room. I hid around the corner outside the room and peeped at him. My heart breaks again. Yes. Another crying episode indeed. Again, I stepped away and asked Sotong to update me every 15 minutes. I went to the canteen and joined other heart breaking mommies pouring our hearts out. 30 mins later, the sms came. Ryan stopped crying. Phew… I bought him a small little pressie again to cheer him up after school. I know.. bribery is wrong… but it works wonder you know.. whatever it takes to get a smile on the little fella’s face.

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Day 5. Participating in one of the story telling. I wonder what was he telling the teacher. :D

Ryan did better in school on day 6. Although he still cry when I left him but the extreme of it was much much milder. To my relief, he only cried for 10 minutes. I monitored him for a short while after which I decided I should go home for a good break myself.


We didn’t go playground today. Instead I brought Ryan to see the fountains near the school’s canteen. He loves water.

Today, day 7th. Ryan earned a perfect score from mommy! No crying! He actually gave me a hug and kiss before saying goodbye. I asked Mrs Goh (English teacher) how did it go with Ryan today. The feedback was good. She said Ryan did very well in class. He’s always keeping himself busy. He’s a very curious boy with an inquisitive mind and he asked a lot of questions. Ryan is also good with blocks (finger training). 


Day 7. at the outdoor playground.

It has been a long and exhausting week but I feel extremely good today. It’s like seeing all the hardwork finally bearing some fruits. I definitely feel on cloud 9 today. Have a good weekend everyone. :D

20 thoughts on “The first few days of school….”

  1. Woohoo! Happy Kid and Happy Mom!! :) Ryan is way better as compare to me! i cried for a good 6 months !!!!

    EM: Wahh.. you quite ‘siu che’ eh.. Hehehe.. I can imagine your parents’ happiness when you finally stoppsed crying..

  2. well done ryan! you are definitely a tough and adaptable boy!
    I really respect your patience and waiting around to make sure he is alright, given me, i cant hang around to hear the cries.. something that i cannot bring myself to face until today.. but aint it nice to have them adjusted without crying? you did well yvonne.. i have to learn from you instead..:)

    EM: We were asked to leave the classroom by the teachers. They were really strict. I bet if they had allowed us to stay, I would without doubt. But then, it’s undeniable when the parents are no longer in sight, the kids adjusted better and faster. Soo.. arrhhhh… have to turn on a deaf ear for their good. Bring an ipod. :P

  3. Well done .. Ryan..!! it’s hard .. and i feel for you .. !
    Chloe started school when she was 4.5 yrs old.. means older than your Ryan. She didn’t cry.. but 3 months into school.. she didn’t wanna go no more.. *slap forehead* .. grade primary was supposedly to be like kindie.. but NOPE..!! we were so wrong.. it is like primary one in singapore..*slap forehead*
    You are doing the right thing.. by putting Ryan to school now.. trust me.

    EM: Oh? kindie having P1 syllabus? That’s tough! They really have high expectation of the kids eh. Here.. I don’t know. I do feel wicked for sending Ryan to school at such young age but then I don’t want him to have problems catching up so just have to follow the norm here. I rmb I only went to kindie at 5 years old but I guess those were the days. I cannot live in our past anymore can we.

  4. bravo ryan!!! i know how you felt yvonne. heartbeaking lah. you did well :D hey, sotong knows how to text you? heheheheh

    EM: Hehehe.. ya.. I gave her a handphone here (actually almost every maid has a phone here.. part of their benefit in addition to the day off) but she has to reload her credit herself la.

  5. Well done, Ryan! I think he’ll be fine as he’s such a good boy.

    Yeah, if parents stick around more than 3 days, the kids will think they are there to stay!

    I think we Malaysian/Singaporean mothers are more protective. The China parents are tougher – the hai zi yao du li! LOL

    EM: Ooo.. China parents are definitely much tougher eh. I cannot imagine myself leaving Ryan all alone with whole class of strangers on first day.

  6. good, seems like Ryan has overcame the separation anxiety!

    saw a lot of mothers taking pictures there..:)

    EM: Ya.. first day of school, every parents came with camera/video camera!

  7. hehe.. me also cried when my son cried … die or not, luckily i find someplace to ‘hide’..haha..

    Bravo Ryan, brave boy… 7th day had settled down, my son principal said normally boy will take longer times compare with girl.. Ryan had done well! my son.. eiks.. cried for few weeks..:p

    EM: But girls usually less dramatic.. the ones in Ryan’s class only sobbed. Anyway.. they all pretty much settled. So happy :D

  8. I guess most kids will go thru the same crying process on the 1st few days of school if it’s their 1st time. At least he got used to it now.Hehe..Way to go Ryan.Big boy already.

    EM: In Ryan’s class there’s one boy who never shed a single tear but cry much later when the rest almost settled.

  9. Ryan’s kindy look so modern. compared those in malaysia big difference i think..

    EM: I think Malaysia has some good ones. I know there’s one in Cheras. One of the blogger mommies send her kid there…

  10. Congrats Ryan! See, I told you he’ll be fine. Don’t worry too muchlah. :) The school looks good!

    EM: I was very very heart broken the first few days… but really glad it’s all soooo over now. Phew….

  11. I’m sure you’re very proud of him. I must say, the first few days of Shern’s kindy was all drama too, but still I think it’s a big milestone of him and I felt so proud the day he stopped crying, he even asked me to drop him off at the gate, kiss and hug me goodbye and asked me not to accompany him into his class. Big boy already.

    Wah, his school looks like university standard to me. Impressive.

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