As kids head off to school this fall, and first day of school photos are taken, and first day of school scrapbook pages are planned and executed, Andrew and I are having our own first day of school.
It was yesterday actually.
I half-heartedly looked into sending him to preschool this fall. It was either the cost of tuition (we've rented apartments for cheaper than a month of preschool) or the fight to get a spot (we have friends that lined up on registration day at 5:00 in the morning) or knowing too much about early childhood education (and how the preschools we would pay a lot for and fight to get into would be okay), but something scared me off. No formal preschool for Andrew. Not this year at least.
In it's place: Mommy School.
We started yesterday. We talked a little about the calendar, I had a letter I had to written to him for us to read and work with (Dear Andrew, I love you. Love, Mommy) and we read Brown Bear, Brown Bear and talked about colors. I thought it would take an hour. It took 20 minutes.
What struck me yesterday was how very 'first day of school' it felt. I've had 5 'first days of schools' as a teacher and they have all felt quite similar. I'm feeling things out. I'm nervous. Some things feel forced. And nothing takes as long as I think it will. I couldn't believe that those feelings came rushing back in my own home. With my own son.
Today was much, much better. We 'worked' together for about 40 minutes and it felt more natural and more fun. I really, really like sitting down with Andrew, at a table, with paper and pencils, and seeing what he knows. And what he doesn't.
I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes and what unfolds. For both of us really. And don't you worry: I'll keep you posted along the way. ;)
8 comments:
Since you are the Scrapbook Queen, I hope you did take a first day of preschool picture of Drew, because even though it's at home, it was still his first day of preschool - if not, you can still get a first week of school picture. And, don't forget to get a shot of him with his favorite teacher. Randy's daughter started preschool last week, and is working on a project where she has to make a page where she cuts things out to show what her favorite things are (foods, things to do, color, etc.), and he said it was fun to hear her answers. I love reading back in my school scrapbooks and seeing what I wrote each year for what I wanted to be when I grew up and things like that - I remember that I wrote roller skater and farmer in a couple of those early years. Whoa, I was way off. Enjoy school - I'm sure you'll both do great!
no pics yet. But you are absolutely right, my friend! Pictures are in order! A lot of the work we do is on dry erase boards or the MagnaDoodle...so I should get some pics of that too. Cause, you know, it just gets erased....
thanks for the tips!
I can't believe I'm admitting this, but I saw on The Housewives of New York that it's harder to get into preschool than Harvard there.
Things are so different over there! When the kids get to 3 here in UK, they go to a nursery unit at the primary school, then at 4 1/2 they go into reception class then at 5 they are in Year 1. And it costs nothing! There is no price that can be put on time with your child, and why would you want to pay someone else to experience all his 'firsts' - enjoy being with him for as long as possible. And make sure you capture all those memories on film!
Writing and reading - wow! At this stage, 3-year old preschool is mostly play-based/free-play, etc. (I call it glorified daycare.) And Andrew gets to do that all the time at home anyway!
So though they have the water table, the sand table, the reading circle, the paint easel, the kitchen, etc. Lucas looks at me like, "Why do I need to come here to do what I do at home?" Urg. It's kind of confusing when home is just as fun as preschool!
So I've always hated the "socialization" argument, but that's the biggest thing I think Lucas is getting out of it right now. And Mama gets a much-deserved and needed break!
But we find what works for each person, right? I hope you both enjoy Mommy Preschool. Andrew is one lucky kid to have such an intentional mama!
Deb- I was an education major in college and the system in England was so revered that there was a semester abroad program for teachers there. Pretty cool!
Vanessa- Socialization is definitely our weak area! Maybe even for the whole family! I'm going to try to be better about time at the playground and library and playdates. I tend to just hide myself away in the winters with my projects and baking...so I really need to be better about that for Andrew. And I would do what you are doing if I had it in me to fight and pay for it! I think it's great that Lucas is going to preschool! I really do and I can't wait to hear more about what they are doing!
oh, and Deb...what is film by the way? ;)
Please do keep us updated- I hope to steal your ideas!
Oh Robyn, your blog brought back all my "first day of school" jitters!! I think I was always more nervous than the kiddos and you're right--all the little "get to know each other" activities and things you have planned never take as much time as you were planning/hoping for :)
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