First Day of Preschool

Back in May, Tayshaun and I visited a couple of preschools to select one for the fall. Since Tayshaun's birthday just missed the deadline for Kindergarten, I thought it would be best that he attend a preschool that was geared more for socialization rather than academic since he'd be attending preschool for 2 years. I felt like 2 years of academic would only create a boring and less challenging Kindergarten. So after a few visits, we agreed on a Montessori Preschool. Tisha and Madison also had attended a Montessori Preschools and I was happy with the program.

Tayshaun had the option to begin in the summer. But he was a little nervous about meeting new kids so he decided to wait until fall. During the summer, we'd talk about him starting his new preschool but he didn't ever seem very excited.

So last weekend, we took a trip to my favorite store Target and selected some school supplies that his teacher Miss Julie asked us to bring. He selected his own lunch box, binder (which we decorated with his name), lunch box food, clothes, and shoes. We talked about the visits we'd had to the preschool in May and how he'd be playing with other kids, playing on the playground, having storytime, learning to read, playing with turtles, feeding the aquarium fish, etc.

On Sunday night, he told me "Mom, I'm a little nervous 'cause I'm not going to know any of the kids." And I explained that most of the kids were also new to the preschool and didn't know anyone either. During our visit in May, it was obvious the kids knew each other but he didn't realize that those kids had moved on to Kindergarten. I think this explanation put his mind at ease.

The next morning he was very excited while getting ready. He had everything ready to go before leaving. As we drove into the preschool parking lot, he noticed that only one truck was parked. And he said "Mom, I think I'm the first one here; there's only one car here." And I said, "There's no cars here because the other moms have dropped off their kids and have driven their cars to work." So he immediately started taking off his seatbelt and grabbing his things before I parked the car and says to me, "come on Mom, I think we're late then."

It was a relief to him when we walked in the preschool and he was the third kid there. He walked in and started playing with the other kids. The teacher showed him his spot for his backpack and lunchbox and I said goodbye to him. He was very comfortable with his new surroundings and he wasn't bashful or reluctant to stay.

His first week in school was great! He talked about all the kids he met and the things that they did. On Friday when I went to pick him up, I ran into an acquaintance of mine who I'd not seen for a while. It turned out his son was also attending. He laughed at me when I drove into the parking lot after recognizing me and joked that I was the last parent to be picking up my son. And I laughed back 'cause I told him he only beat me by a minute 'cause he was the second to last.

My new flex work school is actually going to be GREAT with his preschool hours. I'll work longer days but I'll be away from Tayshaun the same amount of hours as before. The preschool is located very close to home so I gain an hour of drive time to make up for the extra hour of work time. And now I'll have alternating Mondays off so I'll be able to spend more time with Tayshaun. I'm really looking forward to this school year.