3 year old behavior-Need Advice

[churchmom]

We recently put our 4 and 3 your olds in a private christian school.  They like going there and are having fun.  We are not having any issues with our four year old but our 3 year old is another story.  Our 3 year old wakes up all the time during the night crying.  This only started when she started school.  She always went to bed between 8-9pm and would sleep through the night and she has been doing that since she was 2 months old.  Since we have started school she won't fall asleep until about 9:30 to 10pm and wakes up about 8 times a night and then when I go to get her up in the morning for school around 6:45am she is so nasty.  Like this morning she pushed the table into her older sister and everything came off the table (breakfest).  I went to school to ask the teacher if something may be going on at school and i asked about nap time and the only thing I can see that may be a problem is nap time.  My little one does not take naps during the day and was a very happy kid.  But now she has rest time and at school they don't make them take a nap but they do have them lay down and listen to music for a hour and half.  I am not sure what to do because I asked the teacher to possibly shorten the nap time and the teacher tells me that it is mandated in New Hampshire for the child to have rest time.  If anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear.  I am a stay at home mom and my husband works.  thanks

[margypops]

I think the problem is the nap time a lot of children dont need naps during the day at this age, find out if she can sit quietly and read books, an hour and a half listening to music for active children doesnt sound too good, do they give plenty of stimulation otherwise. ? They Mandate Nap time for 3and 4 year olds, WOW what next ...

[vhc09]

I also agree, she is so young. let her stay home with you. why did you want your kids to start school so young? just wondering.

[specialmom]

I agree with the above poster.  If you have the option of staying at home with her, I'd do so.  Or find a program that is better suited to her needs.  My sons both went to preschool for either one half day (2 1/2 hours only) or two half days a week at that age.  It was perfect as they got social interaction and used to classroom settings.  It also didn't start until 9:30 so it didn't disrupt schedules.  An hour and a half quiet time sounds really long and BORING if a child doesn't take a nap.  Do you have any other options?  Good luck

[jdtm]

Could your three-year old daughter stay home for another year?  It appears that she is just not ready to spend so much time away from home.  Our son and his wife put their two-year old in daycare for one morning a week.  It caused so much stress that they pulled her out within one month.  A year later, they tried it again and everything went so well the second time around.  Our granddaughter was just not ready to be separated from her home and parents.  I think this might be the same issue in your situation.