Bored four-year-old
My son is four years old and goes to a nursery school. He seems to like school, but he is never 'excited' about going, as he was when he first started. He used to come home telling me everything they did. Now when I ask, I get the standard 'nothing' answer. I wonder if he is doing much apart from playing? I'm concerned because I don't want him to get bored with school, yet I don't want to push him too hard, too fast.
It's hard to know what 'nothing' means from a child. It may mean, 'I'm tired and I don't feel like talking about nursery' but, as you say it could also mean, 'I've done everything and it's a bit boring now'.
Have a talk with the nursery staff and ask them how your son spends his day. Do they notice him absorbed and interested? Perhaps ask if you could spend a session or two in the nursery. The staff should make you welcome, especially if you show genuine interest in the nursery activities as well as your own child's experience.
In nursery, children learn a great deal through the medium of their play, supported by interesting activities and suitable adult involvement. Their entry into more formal school learning activities should be gradual. Sure, you don't want to push your son, but as you say, it will not help if he finds nursery school boring.
Apart from the contact suggested with the nursery, do bear in mind that children continue to learn at home. Your involvement in sharing books, conversations and local outings with your child and his involvement helping with ordinary family routines will give him added interests outside nursery school.
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