...and I think to myself: What a wonderful world

Preschool.  It is bittersweet to close this chapter. Happy, since I am not shuttling children everywhere several times a day and we are saving a few bucks a month in tuition and gas.  Sad, since my kids are growing up and we are leaving behind one of the best experiences of our lives.

I was very excited about all the choices our community has to offer with schools. There are Montessori, Waldorf, playschool, religious based, academic based, daycare based, the list goes on and on. Although the gals are very close, they have different personalities.  Marlee being extroverted, calm, a leader, but yet a rule follower is contrasted with Mya who is introverted, dramatic, and fearful of change. I had the feeling their needs would have to be met in different ways.

Marlee spent 2 years at Montessori.  We both loved it.  She did the Montessori works at her own pace and had free choice of how she got to learn.  With being 1 of 5 kids in her 3-year-old class and 1 of 8 kids in her 4- year-old class, she got individualized attention and was able to develop fantastic social skills. Ms. Tonya will forever be her hero.  She reached Marlee in ways that I never could academically...I am thinking I was too pushy in her early years with forcing her to learn letters and numbers at the age of 2 so she would be "smart". Ah, well, hindsight is 20/20. Marlee happily graduated from Montessori school and was a superstar heading to kindergarten. By the way, her favorite imaginative play is office and school.

Marlee on her 1st day of preschool.



Marlee on her last day of school.  She still keeps in touch with Ms. Tonya. **dates on my camera are incorrect. This should be 2010.


Mya is a different story.  I decided not to do anything academic with her at all...not saying I tried and her response was "This is a lot like learning and I don't like it." (insert crinkled nose) Since she was so introverted and had a hard time socially, I decided to take Mya to a playschool co-op, which is play-based, experiential learning. At first, I thought it was a huge mistake.  Seeing all these kids interacting with organized chaos just freaked Mya out!  She cried for most of the drop offs, had no friends, and stalked the teachers. Little by little the crying eased, she made a few friends, and even had a few play dates. Her days were filled with curiosity and thinking outside the box.  What impressed me most was the ability she had to connect what she learned in school with the outside world.  My reluctant learner suddenly became a scientist, mathematician, and a colorful writer.  Her teachers Louise, Melissa, and Donna were so patient and nurturing, allowing her to be her authentic self and letting her grow.  I am so impressed with what they do with these children.  I am sure Mya will be fine in kindergarten even though she did not attend a traditional academic preschool.

1st day of school.  Mya was not very excited about going somewhere to "learn".

Last day of school.  Mya has come a long way. Her teachers are incredible!




 
As we sat in the yard of Mya's school for her graduation and her class sang "What a Wonderful World" with props and all, I thought about our preschool years and how lucky we were to have these teachers who helped both girls grow and teach them skills to be successful in life. I even had a little tear come to my eye, realizing that at the moment our world was really wonderful.