First Year of Preschool
Being a teacher, I thought I had the whole school thing all figured out. I was overly excited to be on the other side of the coin and be a parent of a student. Of course, I had all the emotions of excitement and worry, wondering how my girl was going to do in school academically, socially, and emotionally.
We had many ups and downs our first year of preschool – some of which I was prepared and others that were very unexpected.
Up
The school and teacher have created such a great love of learning in my daughter. I couldn’t be more pleased that she has this positive foundation of learning set early on. She’s happy to go to school and happy to talk about school.
Down
It’s a lot harder getting a kid to school in the morning than I thought it would be. Making sure I’m dressed (maybe showered), the baby’s dressed and fed, the school kid is dressed, fed, teeth brushed, hair brushed, has all her stuff and that we’re on time, because we CANNOT miss the morning song, feels like quite the feat. Drop off is almost anticlimactic with all that leads up to getting to school looking presentable. I almost look around for a high five for all I did to make getting to school on time happen.
Up
She’s learned a lot! She can cut shapes. She knows her shapes. She draws people. She tells you about her drawings. She knows so many songs. She can recognize her name. She can count and knows her colors and so much more!
Down
She’s been sick A LOT! And, not just a cold here and there, but illness that have had us in the ER multiple times and have resulted in blood tests, chest x-rays, shots, antibiotics, breathing treatments, and inhalers. Illnesses that have started right as one ended, so it seems like months of coughs, runny noses, and fevers. We’re hoping this just means a super strong immune system for next year!
Up
We’ve learned a lot! We’ve learned that our girl is going to cry at school and that’s ok. Her teacher has handled tears quite masterfully. She’s also reassured us that it’s ok that our girl is sensitive. It’s part of what makes her HER!
Down
She cries often at school. Luckily, it doesn’t seem to take away from her day, but it’s been a common question, “Did you cry at school today?”
Followed by, “Yes, because the boys said my building was pirate ship, but it was a castle.”
At first I felt so embarrassed, but as I mentioned above, her teacher reassured us that our girl mostly always seemed happy at school and the tears were short-lived and part of her learning.
Up
She’s made a lot of friends. We learned she has a best friend who is a boy, who she calls her person. She’s a good friend to all, which warms our hearts.
Down
We’ve had to deal with “Elizabeth* and the Mean Girl”. Our girl loves to play with everyone and it was hard for her to handle being rejected by kids who didn’t want to play with her. It was hard for us to see her struggle and not be able to do much about it, besides lots of talks and hugs.
Up
Celebrating the holidays is magnified by school. All the school activities leading up to holidays, just helped our girl understand that something special was coming up. I can’t express how much joy her Christmas program brought me.
Down
Celebrating the holidays is magnified by school. Yes, I meant to type that twice. Valentine’s Day, for example, was so much work! Making the cards and treats for her class really wasn’t as fun as I imagined it would be. Celebrating her birthday at school was also more work and money than anticipated. It was news to me that the birthday kid brought treats for the other kids in her class, in addition to the cupcakes to share with her classmates during snack time.
Through all the ups and downs, it all has definitely been worth it. It’s been an important learning experience for us all and has been good preparation for all that is to come with having a school age kid. I’m sure it’s going to make summer shine even brighter, as well!