We’ve hit another major milestone. My daughter has all but finished her kindergarten (pre-school) year and I feel really emotional about it, this is an odd feeling for me to accept and understand and despite telling myself daily to get a grip I feel like I’m going through a break up.
I worked in childcare for nearly 20 years, so in that 20 years I have seen hundreds of little ones finish their pre-school year and head off to big school. I was the one presenting them with their mock graduation certificates as their parents looked on with pride. I’ve even had parents cry that their children were leaving the protection of nursery and moving on to the big wide world of school. I understood and was touched that parents were sad about leaving us, it meant we’d done a good job. Never in this world did I imagine with my own children I’d feel so sad, after all, I know the system, I’ve lived the system. We can’t change it and life is all about our children progressing, growing and developing into the successful, happy people they will be. I have realised I am not a parent who is wishing her children’s early years away, quite the opposite. If I could let Rosie re-live her Kindergarten year I would. It’s been simply wonderful. Of course, I know, even if this was an option, it would not be the right thing to do.
So why do I feel so emotional about it? Do you feel or did you feel like this, or am I being totally irrational? I really need to know the answer to this.
What I do know is, the little just 3 year old that I dropped off with total strangers in September 2018 is totally different to the little nearly 4 year old I now collect from teachers who are just amazing and have become part of our life. Rosie often calls me by their name, before correcting herself and I can tell when she has really learned some valuable life lesson because she re-enacts them, in her teachers voice. What’s even more hilarious is at moments when I am in school and see her teachers interacting with the children, I can totally see where’s Rosie’s impersonation comes from, right down to the words and phrasing. This makes me melt and fills my heart with joy. These wonderful people have left a lasting impression on my little girl. How can I not feel emotional about it.
I now have a 3 year old that can confidently write her name, that is enthusiastic and runs into her classroom making sure that everyone sees her as soon as she’s walked in. I have a three year old that everywhere we go we are told how happy she is and what a lovely little girl she is.
Most of my professional experience was with pre-school aged children, in that time I learned what a truly significant year it was in so many ways. Their first memories will be around now. They learn about more complex emotion other than happy, sad or hungry. They become responsible for dealing with minor conflict and learn how it feels to hurt other people’s feelings. They learn to communicate more effectively, whether they are shy and retiring, or always at the front and raring to go. Personality development at this age is immense, so really one of the greatest privileges is to be trusted with these young, very impressionable and ready to learn about life human beings. So I guess when I look at my wonderful little girl with the same pride that all the parents mentioned above did, it helps me understand why I feel so emotional. Kindergarten has been a life lesson, a place for Rosie to grow and wow what a wonderful place it has been. Why would I want my little girl to move on, when everything she has in there has been so good. And of course, I will look at her teachers like they are part of the family, even friends because their influence on us has been immeasurable. Rosie is ready for her next big step into reception, I, however am not! It is the end of an era, the end of an incredibly important year and the end of a relationship with people that have helped make Rosie who she is.
A wonderful world of opportunity awaits Rosie as she goes into her ‘compulsory education’, my enthusiasm and investment in her education won’t change, nor will my appreciation for the education she is receiving and Kindergarten will always have a special place in our hearts.
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