School (pre-K) thing - WWYD?

[ahisma]

DS is in pre-K this year. Overall, we're happy. He's quirky so there have been some hurdles but as a whole school is good. He's generally well liked, although there have been a few issues.

This week they started a "post office." The premise is that there are customers (writing letters), a mailman and a postmaster (who stamps the letters, collects "money", etc.)

DS really enjoys this and has sent many letters over the past 3 days. He has received one. His perception is that other kids are getting many letters. He's usually spot on with his perception, but could obviously be wrong. In an effort to get "mail", he's sending more and more letters and trying to be very, very nice to people so he gets mail. He's putting a lot of weight on this, tonight we had 3 crying episodes (abnormal for him) over the fact that he didn't get mail today or yesterday.

WWYD? On one hand, I think it's a cool thing. DS likes it except for the fact that he's not getting mail. I can see the benefit (role playing, literacy, money handling, etc.). On the other hand, it feels like a popularity contest and it's hard to see DS hurting. I know that life isn't fair and that he has to learn that. Is this an okay way for him to learn that, or should I say something to the teacher. I do think that his reaction is valid and real, but that he is probably much more focused on this than other kids - that's just how he ticks.

[Canna]

Do you have contact with the teacher(s) at drop-off? This is the kind of thing I would briefly mention at DD's preschool in the morning so teachers could keep an eye on him and the way the interaction is going during the day. They should be able to subtly help out.

"DC is so excited about the post office in the classroom. He loves it but I wanted to let you know that he seems upset that he hasn't been getting letters from other kids. He has been crying about it at home."

ETA: In this case I would definitely say something to the teachers because I know my DD's preschool teachers would want to be made aware of something that might become an issue in the classroom. If he's that upset at home it seems likely he'll also be upset at school or could easily be set off at school.

[smilequeen]

I would ask the teachers about it. It seems kind of dangerous to let it be a popularity contest with preschoolers. They take these things so to heart.

My 1st grader's class just did this for Valentines Day. When they first opened it, they each had to write a letter every day, but they chose a name from a bag, so everyone got a letter. Then they used the post office to send their valentines.

[crl]

I would definitely mention it to the teachers. My son's preschool did something similar, but all the time. And they encouraged parents to leave notes for their kids as well. I wonder if family members could write letters to your son. And maybe the teachers could start writing some letters too, to all the kids.

Catherine

[maestramommy]

yeah, I would talk to the teachers. For Valentines Day the kids are supposed to send a card to every classmate, probably to avoid this kind of situation. At this age I think it's just hard for little kids to think of each and every kid in their class, particularly if they don't usually play with them. It's just not on their radar. Arwyn is in pre-k and she only mentions one other girl in class. And that's an improvement from last year

[elephantmeg]

I would absolutely talk with the teachers about this-or the director if there is no good time to talk with the teachers when they are not distracted with watching the kids. Or write a note.