my 2 year old closes up in school

[rghkah38]

My dd turned 2 in July.  I just had another baby in April. My 2 year old says many words, but I feel like sometimes it's a struggle for her to talk. She does repeat things back to me.  She gets frustrated a lot, but there are times where she will tell me what she wants.  She is out goings everytime we went to social places and she will go up and say hi to people.  Well, I started her in school 2 days a week in August.  I wanted her to be sociable without mommy or daddy there.  I thought she was going to do good, but I was wrong.  I drop her off in class and she just stands in the same spot until the teacher goes and gets her.  She also squats a lot and ignores them when they call her.  They have not heard her speak at all.  The only thing they heard her say is mommy when I come in the room.  I  talked to the dr.  and she feels I should add another day. I switched her to half days too.  If there is no change in 2 weeks I'm taking her out.  I don't understand it.  This isn't my daughter.  I feel so bad watching her from outside of the classroom.  Has this happen to anyone else.   I really need advice. Can this be a jealousy issue because of the new baby.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Try to be patient and allow time for her to adapt. It goes without saying that it would not be OK if the situation goes unchanged. But over time it likely will change. She needs time and she needs sufficient exposure to the program so that it becomes a routine part of her schedule. That is the reason for giving her more exposure.

[rghkah38]

Also what you said was unfair and you did not understand where I was coming from.  

[rghkah38]

It's actually her teacher that came up to me and said she has a problem.  I argued with her stating my daughter doesn't have an issue.   The more the teacher said there was an issue I got worried and wanted to talk to the doctor about how I can get my daughter to get adjusted in school easier and she gave me some good ideas.  I watched my daughter outside the classroom and to see her just standing there and not doing anything broke my heart.  I actually wanted to take her out of school then, but decided I would wait to see if there any changes in her.  I just don't want my 2 year old to be stressed.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Your expectations need adjusting. Her world has been turned upside down. You are assuming that something is the matter because she is not acting the way you want her to act. Really, it is your expectation, not her response, that is the matter. Give her time - this is a major adjustment for your daughter. Your self-imposed deadline is not a good idea. I agree with the pediatrician. If your daughter is going to attend the program, two exposures a week is not sufficient.