Tomorrow Big will be “graduating” from preschool. And while a ceremony might seem a bit silly, recognizing how very far he’s come in two short years is a must. His first day he tackled me crying, begging me not to leave. Now he practically tackles me running in the door to see his friends and teachers. He’s gone from being letter agnostic to a beginning reader. Big has developed a love of learning that I know he’ll take with him to kindergarten. He’s grown in confidence, knowledge and spirit these past two years. What more could a mom ask for?
The funny thing is, I learned a lot too. Since he barely spoke the first year, I would get glimpses into his preschool life when I co-oped once a month. This year—as he’s come out of his shell—I’ve been able to relax a bit more when I’m there, and really reflect on what a special time in life preschool can be.
Lesson #1: Fingers are meant for painting, picking and sucking.
Often all at once. And when the teacher says “Criss-cross-apple-sauce!”, she might as well say, “Nose picking time!”
Lesson #2: Some kids can’t help but do the exact opposite of what they’re told.
This one I wish I had known before reading Don’t Bite the Teacher to a group of 3-year-old boys.
Lesson #3: This is a time when parents fears are calmed or confirmed.
Not being able to write upper and lower case letters at age 3 is not a sign of a learning disability. Not having a best friend in the class (or any friends, really) doesn’t mean your child will be a social outcast for the rest of his life. Spitting at and biting authority figures actually is a sign of a real problem. And the positive influence your “good kid” has on the “troubled kid” far outweighs the negative influence going the other direction—thanks, of course, to the wonderful foundation you’ve given your child—and it means a great deal to the teacher and the other parents.
Lesson #4: “D is for Diet Coke!”
Kids don’t censor themselves (even when they’re revealing things about their parents). Another kid told me, “I saw a man marry a man.” Which seemed deep for a 4-year old, until he followed that up with, “I also saw a man marry a hot dog!” Ah, innocence.
Lesson #5: If imitation is the greatest form of flattery, preschoolers are all about confidence building.
When the teacher asks a question and goes around the circle for responses, 7 out of 10 answers are the same. But somehow each kid says it with pride and enthusiasm.
Lesson #6: You can’t help but smile doing the Chicken Dance.
Ok, maybe not when the DJ busts it out at your kid-free wedding, but when you’re surrounded by 15 giddy preschoolers, it’s just about the best song in the world.
Lesson #7: Prep work for preschool art projects takes way longer than the project itself.
And if the perfectionist in you develops a phobia of cutting at age 5, you can bet your co-oping assignment will almost always involve cutting. Very, very intricate shapes.
Lesson #8: There comes a point in the year when the kids realize they’re outgrowing preschool.
Recently at circle time, a little boy was trying to squeeze into his spot and he said, “When is the rug going to grow like we have?”
And so the time comes for me to accept that my little boy is growing up—literally and figuratively. I’m so grateful that he’s had this time in preschool—with loving, nurturing teachers—to develop. And that I got the opportunity to see it happen right before my eyes.
Do you have a preschooler? What funny or insightful lessons have you learned watching your child’s experience?
right there with you, Amy!!! Finn’s graduation from preschool is tomorrow as well… It’s crazy to think that’s been going to this “school” since he was 8 months old!!!! So I guess it will be a change for him AND a change for us.
I also find it humorous that even at this age, they know something is up and apparently have been acting up and are “checked out”… didn’t know this happens at the preschool level, too! 🙂
Glad to be going through this with you!!
j
Happy graduation to Finn! I hope you guys enjoy the festivities and that the transition to kindergarten is smooth, but exciting. Funny about the summer itch…Big’s teacher said the same thing.
Oh, I am so with you on this one! Eli finished preschool yesterday and I am already tearfully counting down the days until Kindergarten begins! It sounds like Eli and Big would have eventually made friends in their second year of preschool as in their first year they were too busy observing the world and making mental notes! So much changes in those two precious years! Congratulations to you both for surviving the experience!
So sweet that our boys have similar personalities. Big has been crying all afternoon at the thought of saying goodbye to preschool. I love what a big heart these boys have…it will serve them well as they move up and on. Congrats to you too!
Irene’s preschool graduation was one of my favorite things ever! The smile on her face, the kids marching in to pomp and circumstance, the chaos, the tears (yes mine), the mortar board, the diploma… all of it. I think we avoided the tears from Irene because even though she graduated, she still went to preschool for the rest of the summer. Enjoy it. Take it all in. It is a wonderful rite of passage… for the parent!
Thanks so much, Melissa. It was hilarious, sweet and sad all at the same time. And we survived! (Though the tears haven’t stopped yet…his or mine.) I’m glad it’s such a wonderful memory for you.
After seeing you and the kids (all 3!!) on your walk yesterday, complete with Big’s proud announcement that he was graduating from preschool today, I have to say that while caring for my elderly Dad today, I was thinking constantly about the proud event for all. Enjoy these little milestones. They will give you joy in your memory bank for a very long time! God bless little kids!
Linda, I hope your dad is continuing to recover well. We’re certainly doing our best to cherish and appreciate these moments. Thanks for the good thoughts and reminder of how quickly they pass.
It was a total joy for us to attend Big’s graduation last week. Your boy is growing and changing just like your family! I remember a certain little girl who was short on words in the classroom for many years, and yes, she was listening and taking it all in just like Big. No wonder you are both wise beyond your years! It sounds like you and Big did a lot of growing over the past two years and I know one of you will have lots of advise for Little as he begins his preschool journey. Congratulations to you both!
Thanks for being there to cheer us both on along the way!