I went through a Mommy first this week. I became a Mom to a kindergartner and I
dropped my son off for the first time. I
must say, having a child start kindergarten is an experience like no
other. As a working mom, my kids have
been going to daycare since they were babies, but there was something about
kindergarten that made it different.
Something about the finality of it all, as he officially passed from
the realm of a child into that of a big kid.
And I certainly wasn’t alone in my feelings. I watched as the other
kindergarten moms (and dads) tried to hide the tears in their eyes. I saw those precious last few moments of hugs
and well wishes and encouragement. I was a bystander to the spur of the moment
therapy group going on in the parking lot, as the moms reassured one another
that it would all be okay, that their kids were in good hands.
And you know what?
Every single mom agreed. My son is lucky
enough to get an amazing kindergarten teacher who simply oozes love for
children. I have only known this woman
for two days, but in just two days, this is overwhelmingly apparent. Everything, from the first day “jitter
bubbles” and poem that she gave out at Open House, to the kind words, to the
extra moments she let parents sneak in final goodbyes, showed that their kids
were in good hands, they were cared for, they were loved. I could not have
asked for a better experience for my first time as a kindergarten mom.
My nephew is the same age and also embarking on kindergarten
transition as well. My sister-in-law and I have been calling and texting and
giving one another moral support as we cross this threshold. However, my sister-in-law is also a mom of a
new freshman to high school, and I think this transition is actually more
difficult than the kindergarten one. And
as I had this lovely first day experience, I began thinking to myself about the
high school transition. Our freshmen and
their parents are also transitioning to that new territory and leaving a stage
behind, but unfortunately, they’re not always greeted with as warm of a
welcome, with the hugs, with the smiles, and with the encouragement. There’s not as much care in handling parents
and helping them understand that their child will be okay. We assume because they are in high school the
students and parents don’t need that type of encouragement. I’m thinking we are wrong. I’m always surprised when parents or students
comment on my classroom during Open House and tell me they like it. I try to make it inviting, but I don’t think
my classroom is anything that special.
But, I think they are trying to find some sort of encouragement and
warmth, similar to that of elementary classrooms, and my classroom sometimes
provides that. Sometimes my smile or my mannerisms may help them. Sometimes it’s a friendly wave or hello in the
hallway.
No matter what, this year, as I meet my new students and
their parents, I am going to remember myself in that kindergarten room and how
welcomed and encouraged it made me feel, and I am going to do my very best to
make my students and parents feel they are in a kindergarten classroom again
too.
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| My Kindergartner and Pre-Schooler 2015 |
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