I love seeing everyone's back to school and first day of preschool pictures. It's weird being in a different category where the boys are already in school full-time. Each fall, our transition means moving to a new room with new teachers, a new schedule, and new challenges but it's not quite the same as First Day!
The transition to the 3s room has been a very big transition, for both us and the boys. The most remarkable differences are the increased independence and the structure. In the 2s room, open play meant kids running wild playing with whatever they wanted. In the 3s room, open play means playing at "centers." They must choose centers, stay there, then clean up and switch only when the rest of the group moves centers. (Alex's favorite center is science, I'm so proud!) The increased independence means they are expected to wash their own hands, make and clean up their naptime cot, clean up after every activity, go to the bathroom on their own, and change their own clothes when they have accidents.
I love the structure and independence, but it has come with some growing pains for the boys. Nate has really struggled with the structure. The first few weeks, after holding in his frustration all day he let us HAVE IT when he got home. It reminded me of the transition from two naps to one nap when they transitioned to the 1s room, our roughest transition. He has finally settled into the new routine and really enjoys the special activities they have planned (Friday is Ice Cream Social!). And while Alex has thrived with the increased structure, he comes home nearly every day having had an accident for one reason or another.
The transition has also brought some very pleasant changes to our house. The boys are SO MUCH MORE interested in playing with each other, and a newfound peace has settled in our house. After two years of feeling like a professional referee, it fills my heart to hear them in the playroom playing doctor or cooking a meal or building a lego house. I could listen to their conversations all day. They also come home with so many more stories about their day, their activities, and their friends. In just a short time, it feels like they have grown up so much, which makes me proud, happy, and sad all at the same time.
So, no First Day pictures but it's a big time for us as well!
10 comments:
Transitions are always interesting. I'm glad that the boys are starting to fall into the new structure.
If you ask Michael what he wants to be when he grows up, he answers, "A scientist." I beam every time he says it.
We start the transition next week (kind of a big deal because they've been in a 0 - 3 room for 2 1/2 years and are moving to the 3 - 6 room). Excited and nervous for the kids for all the reasons you described (for us, Friday is mixed up table and movie day).
That's awesome news on their play. Cooper is also much more energetic about his days after his transition to the 'big kids' room as he calls it. Firefighter visit yesterday and it's all he could talk about!
We're still too little for First Days of School of anykind yet, but man, I love the fall! I want to go school supplies shopping and pack my lunch in a cool new lunch box, see where my new desk will be... I hope my kids love school as much as I did!
And woohoo for the Sceince Center!
Your daycare sounds incredible. I hope whatever pre-school we send the kids to has a similar attitude about independence.
I sooo understand the transitions from room to room. Maggie is better now that she is in teh 2 room, but life at home has gotten harder. I think she holds it in all day and gets all of her frustrations out after school. Hopefully it will get better as she thrives on structure too.
Wow, I must not have a very good understanding of what three year olds are capable of because wow! That sounds HARD.
I teach F and J a lot about cleaning and putting things away, but I just cannot envision them doing all that you described in less than 9 months.
Always so interesting to see what my next year might look like through your experiences.
I think your about to reap some new benefits from having twins because I know exactly what you mean about the kids playing nicely together. In fact, it is easier to have Jake home to play with Jadyn because they keep each other entertained for hours but now with Jake in school, Jadyn is bored and leaning on me more for entertainment. And I 100% agree about these transitions being bittersweet. It makes me happy and sad and proud all at the same time.
My question is do you think they are playing better together due to age or from influences at the older room at preschool? Or both for that matter. I'm still referee and wondering if I can get my hopes up anytime soon. =)
Sounds like a great pre-school. I am glad that the transition has been somewhat smooth.
I am also glad that there may be a light at the end of the tunnel with this referee business. Ugh!
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