For a long time Scott and I faced a decision that needed to be made about our boys' education. With Camden having a mid-August birthday and Micah's birthday falling on September 30th (which is the cutoff day in our town) we needed to make a choice about whether we wanted them to be the very youngest in their classes or one of the oldest. After lots of research, talking to friends with older children and teachers who we respect and taking into consideration our kids personalities, we decided to give both Camden and Micah another year of preschool before starting Kindergarten which means they will be turning six at the start of the year instead of five. For many different reasons, this decision made the most sense for our family - and no, it's not so that they can dominate in sports among their peers as seems to be the assumption about families who make this decision.
After two wonderful years in his little Montessori school - where he attended two mornings a week last year and three mornings a week this year - Camden will be starting full-day Kindergarten in the fall. A transition that I'm kind of freaking out about deep down inside. I know that kids can sense stress in their parents, and I don't want to put that on Camden at all, and I have to say I'm doing a relatively good job of hiding it, but it's all such a big deal I can't help but feel nervous! After three 3.5 hour mornings a week he'll be transitioning to five days from 7:40-2:45! Whew! That's a lot of school! At 5.5 years old, he's still napping most afternoons and still falls asleep early at night! He's going to be exhausted! He taught himself to read this winter (literally...I have no idea how it happened he just started reading!) and is able to pretty much pick up anything and read it. He'll sit for 45 minutes on the couch with Micah reading Gerald and Piggy, Frog and Toad, Dr. Seuss, Little Bear and tons of other books out loud to his brother. Although we're not worried about him academically, I know he's going to be challenged in many other areas - socially, making new friends, learning how to interact in new settings, how to stand up for himself and do what's right etc...
We attended his Kindergarten registration at the school last week and many of my fears and anxieties were put to rest. We were both nervous that morning, and we've had a lot of good talks recently about how feeling nervous and excited often go together and it's OK to feel that way! Sometimes we're nervous about new experiences, but the feeling will usually go away after the newness wears off. I knew they were going to take the kids on their own for a bit while the parents got some information on the school and I was so scared that he would be clinging to my leg and not want to leave me...but he did great!!! Phew!!! We had an opportunity to meet both of the kindergarten teachers, the principle and assistant principle, the reading specialist, the school nurse and various other staff members. Scott and I were both really impressed with all the adults we met and just feel like it's a really great school. The building houses all grades K-8 with two classes per grade level. It's the same little small school that I attended as a child with the same secretary and at least one of the same teachers! I had a wonderful experience there, and I know my kids will too! Thankfully, there were only 22 kids on the list for next year's class which means that even if a few more children move to the area, the class sizes will be really small! The teachers always do their best to meet the needs of the students - both the ones that fall behind and the ones who are ahead and we left the session feeling excited to be a part of this great community. Camden had a great time and is saying that he's really excited to start Kindergarten in the fall. I know I'll be a weepy mess on the first few days of school, but I'm hopeful that he'll make a smooth transition and that we're doing the right thing for our boy. He always makes me so proud to be his Mama and I'm excited to see what the future holds for him!
Camden with his two best friends at preschool. He loves his girls!
