Signed up for afterschool activities

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-13-2006
Signed up for afterschool activities
1
Tue, 09-19-2006 - 2:18am

I just signed David up for his very first after-school activity.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-03-2004
Tue, 09-19-2006 - 6:57am

Hi Evelyn,

I think it's great you are signing up David for Lego workshop! Are you planning on being there with him or will he go alone? Either way, I do think you need to speak with his instructor and just be simple and honest. You don't have to give family history, that's just every time you meet a new doctor or educator lol. But mainly what instructor needs to know is what to expect a little and maybe a few coping mechanisms or suggestions to help out, especially if you won't be there.

Will the other kids already know David? That would be helpful as well, because they'd already have knowledge of his quirks. If this were me, I would go along for awhile or send a adult friend to keep an eye on him, until he gets used to it. Also, do you have any idea how many other kids will be in group?

By the way, I didn't ask Malcolm whether or not he wanted to do programs when he was younger because he also would have said "no" just out of anxiety. I have been known to use a "Just-try-it" bribe, not a high ticket item, but an encourager and then a reward for being brave. It is always important to gently acknowledge Malcolm's resistance as the anxiety it is and encourage him to be brave. This often works.

Good luck. We have also had failures at this, but just keep trying, trying, trying.

Sara
ilovemalcolm