My daughter started Kindergarten this year, a big year for many parents, and kids, as they embark on their first “big school” adventure. We were actually lucky enough to have my little girl in her school’s Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program, so while this still felt like a milestone, it wasn’t as scary as all the feelings last year.
Whether it’s TK, K or 1st Grade, here are 5 things we learnt as we transitioned from pre-school to “big school” and had our first back to school experience:
#1- Big Kid, Big School, Big Attitude
Over the summer, we spent a lot of time speaking with our little girl about how big she was getting, how she’s going to be at a big school, how grown up she was, and how proud of her we were. We talked about how her new class will be different to the preschool she was currently used to – no more post-lunch naps, larger classroom, and a bigger campus.
She looked at us nervously as we talked about all the changes, so we reminder her again how grown up she was, how big. The transition to TK was a little rocky, but all in all she did great.
What we weren’t expecting, was glimpses of that big attitude – the one that I’m sure will come out more in her teenage years. Soon after she started TK, we’d get responses such as “I’m a big girl now, I don’t need to tidy my room,” or “Hey little brother, I go to a big school now, we have to play my game.” We resolved it pretty quickly, but I definitely saw a flaw in our prep plan!
#2 – Don’t Forget About the Sibling(s)
As mentioned above, we spent the summer prepping my daughter for what’s to come. It didn’t really cross my mind to prep my son for the changes – to let him know that after 2 years of being together, his big sister wouldn’t be at the same preschool as him. That he’d be the only one in the car ride as we dropped him off to school, and he wouldn’t see big sis in the playground anymore. The school would bring the classes together at the end of each day so at pick up, I’d usually find them both playing in a corner together, ignoring other friends, and being the best of friends that I knew that they were.
I never thought about how the “big school” adventure for my daughter would impact him. He took it pretty hard. For a month, he cried at drop off, and clung onto me as I walked him to the playground. I’d see him playing alone in the afternoons when I’d go to pick him up.
Thankfully, he had a new friend join his class shortly afterwards and they quickly became best buds. I was so glad to see him smile again at drop off, adapting to the change in routine, and shining on his own at school.
#3 – Hey School Parents, Want to be Friends?
While we’ve been in Orange County for over five years now, I still feel like we’re finding our network and community of friends with kids of similar ages. A year on from starting at our local elementary school, I feel lucky to have made some really great mom and dad friends; creating friendships that have taken us through ups, downs, late night parent duties, and countless volunteering events.
It was a little daunting at first, felt a little like the dating game – do we have anything in common, do they want to be my friend, will our families get along? But as the year went along, while hanging out at school gates, participating in volunteering opportunities, chit-chatting after PTO meetings, or socializing at countless birthday parties and other events, we began to grow our little community and are so grateful for what our local school has given both our daughter, and our family.
#4 – The PTO and all the Volunteering Opportunities
I hadn’t really given the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) much thought ahead of the school year, nor had I decided on how involved I’d like to be in the school. At the Back to School night on the second day, I reviewed the volunteer from in front of me – Room Mom, Dino Dash, Yearbook Committee, Carnival Day – it all sounded fun. I asked if by checking the boxes, I was just expressing interest, and received a nod. So I checked a lot of them. I was certainly misguided!
The following Monday, I picked up my daughter and as I started to head back home, I heard her teacher call out to me. He thanked me for volunteering to be room-mom and introduced me to my co-room mom. I soon realized that checking boxes meant you were committed!
I had no idea what I’d gotten myself into, but I have to admit, it made for a very fun year of getting to know the kids in class, communicating with parents, organizing class parties, and working closely with the teachers. I joined monthly PTO meetings, which I found extremely valuable, and found myself volunteering for library time, group activities in class, field trips and even agreeing to lead the Yearbook Committee!
Perhaps it was my childhood dream of being a teacher, but I truly enjoyed getting to know the school, and felt lucky to be able to participate while still working a full-time job. While I don’t think I’ll volunteer as much as I did last year, I’m really glad I participated in so many different activities, got to know the school teachers and staff, helped the kids have a fun year, and made some really good parent friends.
#5 – The Emails, the Apps, and all the other Apps
I’ve seen a lot of Instagram videos on this but it’s truly scary how accurate they are. I’m thankful to be in such a good school district, but there is certainly a lot of communication! There’s an app for communicating with the teachers, one for the PTO, numerous to view your child’s work; I don’t even think I’ve even downloaded them all. It’s definitely nice to have regular communication from the school (and district), be able to get in touch with the teachers, and see my daughter’s work. But as a new parent to it all – it really is quite overwhelming!
So for all the parents with kiddos at a new school, or just going back to school, remember that it’s not just their adventure, it’s yours too. Whether you get involved in the school or not, have fun with them, embrace the chaos, enjoy the childcare, and please make some good memories for the yearbook! I guarantee those college years are going to be here sooner than you know.
I am still in awe at how much my daughter has learnt, grown and thrived this past year. I am so proud of her, so excited for the year ahead, and so grateful for the incredible opportunities our school has given both her, and us.
Yes!! Especially number 5!!