The Slice of Life is
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I wonder if they will love their time at their new school. Not just like it. But LOVE it. Kindergarten should be magical and fun with continuous opportunities to learn and grow. School should inhale the dreams of all children and exhale all the possibilities of life.
I wonder if they will continue to love books. Will they continue to look at books as a new world of wonder? Will they continue to intensely look at each page thinking about the characters as friends? I wonder if they will share their love of Todd Parr and Fancy Nancy and Mo Willems.
I wonder if they will make good choices at school. Usually I hear about how sweet and quiet they are, but this summer I've seen my fair share of sibling rivalry. Not pretty. I wonder if they will choose kind and be a friend -- to each other and every other child.
I wonder if the girls will depend on each other too much. Will they seek others to connect with? Will one feel left out? I wonder if keeping them together is best for them or best for me. I wonder if they will grow closer, yet grow in their independence.
I wonder if they will continue to be creative and curious and ask questions and make things. Just yesterday I heard: "I know Mommy! This [garbage bag box] can be a mailbox! I'm going to make a flag!" I wonder if they will set up a store and play with their pretend money. I wonder if they will continue to love to draw, doodle in notebooks, and create their own books.
Now more than ever I'm fully understanding the importance of the transformation of schools. Real school should be like real life. Full of opportunities to be curious, create, and be inspired. And time. Time to play and use their imaginations. Without squashing hopes and dreams for compliance and fake engagement.
My whole world -- my two amazing five year olds -- will be entrusted to teachers I do not know yet with students and families that I know nothing about ... and I worry. Of course, I don't show my worry face or express my fears to my girls, but I've been thinking about life in our house in the next three weeks.
There will be many conversations and life lessons. I pray that God continues to give me the right words to share and eases any of our concerns.
I want try my best to be hopeful and excited ... But then I wonder what else there is to wonder about. I'm sure there will be more as we enter this whole new world.
It is very difficult to allow another person to have an important part of the formation of your children's character. But don't forget you will always be their most important teacher
ReplyDeleteWill your girls be in your building? If so, I suspect you needn't worry. During my long career, I've tried to make a special effort for the children of teachers, whether the teacher is in my building or not, as I know so much is expected from those teachers, and sometimes it's hard to be the kid of a teacher.
ReplyDeleteAs a parent who took the journey you're getting ready to embark upon, I can say that I wish I had trusted my instincts more. I thought it was my responsibility to support my kids' teachers, and sadly there are a couple of times when I should not have done so.
It is an adventure...and your girls are lucky to have you, Michelle, to return to day after day, to sort through what they've learned and enrich that experience.
ReplyDeleteIt is an adventure...and your girls are lucky to have you, Michelle, to return to day after day, to sort through what they've learned and enrich that experience.
ReplyDeleteSo many wonders and concerns. Trust in God and let him be your guide. Because of your love and guidance they will learn and spread their wings. Yes there will be some bumps along the way, but they will be and do all that they can be. Hugs. Love ya, Mom
ReplyDeleteMichelle, you have wonderful wonders and hopes for your girls. You will find the right words to ease their concerns and you will laugh a little bit as they figure out their role in kindergarten and share stories at home. It's exciting and a worry but you've had those feelings before kindergarten, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteThe wondering and worry - that's what mom's do. Being a knowledgeable and caring teacher you know what could and should be possible. I hope your daughters will get a magical teacher!
ReplyDeleteI love this line: "School should inhale the dreams of all children and exhale all the possibilities of life." Students come to school with so many hopes, desires, and expectations. This line reminded me of how important it is to help students maintain the love of learning that they naturally bring with them to school.
ReplyDeleteSo amazing to read this now.
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