My daughter started a 3-year-old preschool program in September, and we were all thrilled. She was excited to get a back pack, have a teacher and play on a big kid playground. I had dreams of my child coming home with stunning artwork to plaster on the fridge, play dates with new friends, and a child whipped in to shape with rules and restrictions. Mostly, I admit, I was over the moon about almost 3 free hours BY MYSELF four days a week. BY MYSELF!
We’re just about at that half-way point in the year, and here is the reality – I both love and hate preschool. In the end I don’t hate it enough to not put her in the 4-year-old program next year, and it’s quite possible, and likely, some of my ‘hates’ have more to do with her being three than actually with school. Nevertheless, here are some of my picks and peeves about preschool.
LOVES
- My daughter loves school and she’s excelling. It’s a proud mommy moment when a teacher compliments your child unsolicited and says she’s a great student. I feel my daughter’s teacher deserves a lot of credit for this, as she is the one that makes the classroom a place kids can’t wait to go to.
- She is exposed more to children different than her. This may not be a big thing to most, but I grew up in an area where everyone, for the most part, was the same – i.e. skin color, religion, etc. Different was pretty much frowned upon. Her class may be small, but it’s made up of kids from different ethnicities, learning abilities and lifestyles; and I hope that as she gets older this is just normal for her.
- The 3 year old program focuses more on fine motor skills than academics, and I have noticed so many improvements in my daughter’s abilities, such as drawing and painting, in her balance, and in her confidence to do such things.
HATES
- My daughter has never had a problem with sharing until now, and, despite the stigma, she is an only child. She had never muttered the term, “MINE!” until a few weeks after school started. I know many of her classmates are the youngest or middle children of their families, and while I loathe to put blame on another child, it is certainly a big possibility that this territorial behavior is something she picked up. It has subsided as the year has gone on, as I suppose most kids are getting better at sharing in school, but the initial shock of hearing her say such a thing was awful.
- My dreams of “me-time” are actually filled with running tedious errands, doctor’s appointments, cleaning, and other things that are easier to get done alone. Where are the naps? The sit down and read time? The pull out an unfinished, pre-child started craft that’s been sitting for years?
- Preschool is making my child grow up. She insists on doing things for herself instead of asking Mommy for help. She can button her own coat, put on her own hat and mittens, feed herself, drink from a cup, sleep in her own bed, no longer needs diapers …. what’s a mom to do?
Has preschool changed your child? What things do you love or hate?
