Comments on: Know Thy Child

By: Thea

Thea — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:29:57 +0000

That is a sweet and familiar story. I used to work at a pre-school and there was one difference I noticed between the children who cried and had seperation anxiety and the children who happily hopped in and did not look back. Children who cried all day long, sensed a longing and hesitation from the parent who dropped them off. Even if the parent tried hard not to show it, the difference was there. For those children that had a very hard time, instead of working with the children, we tried breathing methods with the parents before walking in with their children, and it made a big difference.

Children are tied with an invisible heartstring to their parents. Even though the parents do not always see it, the teachers do, and it is a beautiful bond.

By: HarryJacksMom

HarryJacksMom — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:30:27 +0000

Ugh, I remember the pressure for such things. Having worked in schools for a long time, being older, and being selfish, I kept my two home until they were ready for one year of preschool at age 4 1/2. It was great timing for all of us, so I’ll always encourage people to do what works for their family. We did a LOT of planned activities with friends in our community, so we sort of did our own version of ‘preschool’ GL, Meg, love every minute of it because it truly does fly!

By: Rita

Rita — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 20:30:51 +0000

I always check in to see what interesting thing you’ve written about,and I’m never disappointed. I am just now wondering why there seem to be no comments from (other)homeschooling moms…I know they’re out there! Seems to be just the right place to jump in and mention all the learning Sean could be happily doing with you at home (and at the zoo, too)!

By: Glennon

Glennon — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:24:42 +0000

Beautiful, excellent, perfect.

I am a preschool teacher and I tell my students’ parents over and over….trust yourself. When your heart tells you something about what your child needs, don’t listen to your head’s arguments.

Know thy child and trust thy heart!
Thanks AM.

Do you mind if I save this one for my preschool file for parents?

By: Allison

Allison — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:42:42 +0000

Girl #1 loved preschool. She’s a rule follower, so going somewhere that was all about rules was great with her. Girl #2 not so much. I recall receiving a phone call from her teacher telling me that she had cried all day. Yeah? Okay, so she is crying. I still need these few hours to re-group…she’ll be okay. The teaching assistant called me and asked that I send to school something comforting with my crying child. So, I sent with her a blanket and a sippy cup. Miracle of all miracles! The child quit cryng! She carried around those things and knew that her mommy would come back for her. Whew!

* * *
I think if the teachers had reported that Sean was crying all day, that would have been the hammer over the head I needed to take him out. But he just sort of sat there the whole time, going along, but hating it.

When he could talk, he would occasionally tell the teacher that he was ready to go home. One time the teacher told me that he said he was ready to go home. She told him, well first we have lunch, then your mommy will come and get you. He said, “Okay. Then let’s have lunch!”

By: Carrie

Carrie — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:50:12 +0000

Ooh, such a good tip. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 22:46:56 +0000

I apparently should have gone to mda or preschool bc I have not idea what dyspespia means (unless it refers to Pepsi) or mea culpa. I’ll look them up. Great story, AM!

By: mythoughtsonthat

mythoughtsonthat — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:33:08 +0000

This is so true. I have made a career of child development and teaching preschool and I have come to know this: Preschool is great for some kids but not for everyone. And most kids don’t need 5 days/week of preschool. And preschool should really just be for the year before (pre!) kindergarten. I don’t expect everyone or anyone to agree with me but, like I said, it is what I have come to know and believe. Peace.

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:58:42 +0000

I started bith girls in preschool the summer after they turned 3. Summer preschool was a little more low-key – no curriculum, just play time, crafts, letters etc. They both enjoyed it but I used it as a testing ground to see how they’d do. By Fall, both girls were thrilled to be in the “big girl” class. Little sister always cried when we left big sister at school. I had teachers and the the director laughingly ask me when I was going to enroll the little one. The truth was, she just wanted to stay with her sissie – she wasn’t ready to go to her own classroom yet! She is in her big girl classroom now as of just last week and she is loving it. But the teacher, who had big sister 2 years ago, has told me that if she didn’t know any differently, she’d be surprised to hear my two were sisters. In the classroom apparently they’re very different students! Which shouldn’t surprise me, b/c they are very different little girls. But they both love(d) preschool…I think it was a little surprising to me that they both enjoy(ed)it but for different reasons apparently!

So yes, definitely know thy child!

By: Jenny 867-5309

Jenny 867-5309 — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:29:44 +0000

How interesting. I have always thought I should’ve put my oldest in preschool before kindergarten so he would’ve had time to adjust to group settings, classroom discipline, and just being around children in general. My oldest was a serious old soul who didn’t understand his peers and they didn’t want to understand him. Now my youngest went to preschool just 1 semester before K and it was a God-send. His preschool teacher taught him to love writing/drawing/creating while learning. I love her so much.