What about us?

This is the time of year, when I am ready to move on from summer. My husband, who is a high school teacher, generally doesn't want to hear about all that.

Here at preschool we start saying goodbye to our friends who are leaving for Kindergarten and saying hello to a few new faces.  There are lots of transitions and sometimes this leaves everyone in a frenzy.

There are lots of questions.
"When am I going to Kindergarten?"
"When is my last day?"
"Why isn't _____ here today?"

It is easy for parents (and teachers) to overlook the changes that are going on at preschool, because nothing for their child is changing this year. The truth is their entire world is changing. The dynamics of their home away from home is changing.  It is like a domino effect of change. When one child leaves their friend behind, that child now needs a new playmate, but what if all the friends already have friends? Will that child enter a friendship that is already formed or find a friend that has no bond already? Friendships shift and so does their group status.

Kids who were the younger friends last year are now the oldest friends in the class. They are suddenly the role models. Although some march right into their new position with heads held high, some aren't so sure about how to behave. There is always articles and discussion on how to transition kids into Kindergarten, but rarely how to transition the children that are left behind.