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Over the weekend, we took TJ to an open house at the preschool he’ll be attending in the fall. It’s hard to believe that he’s getting so big! But he will, indeed, turn three this August.
I know that some areas have to get on preschool waiting lists practically at the moment of conception, but we’re lucky enough to live in an area where the waiting list starts in January of the same year the kids will start school.
We got the letter confirming his placement in the morning class on the day before the open house. It was such a relief! This school is the second hardest one to get into around here, and you have to know someone to assure your spot. My mom is caregiver to a little girl currently in the three-year-old class, so she was our in. (Thanks!) We could’ve gotten TJ into the afternoon class on our own, but I really wanted him in the morning class, so this worked out very well.
He did so well at the open house! He went right in, smiled at the teachers, and started playing with the toys they’d set out. He impressed them with his coordination and motor skills by putting a wooden puzzle together. He dumped a whole container of foam blocks onto the floor, but he listened to me when I told him to pick them up. And even though the teacher said he didn’t have to pick up all of them, he did!
TJ also wanted to explore the entire school. He will be assigned to the classroom we first entered, but he made sure to check out the other three classrooms before we left. He drew a picture with markers and played catch with several different balls in each room. He didn’t want to leave, but after an hour and fifteen minutes, I called an end to the fun because we had things to do.
He was such a good boy. So mature. He already loves the school. And I am very encouraged as to how he will handle it.
They have an impressive fenced-in playground. They have a fish pond with a floating dock, so the kids can feed the fish. They have a separate area with tricycles and other ride-on vehicles. There’s a kitchen where they learn how to make simple snacks. There’s a computer. They go on field trips, which parents are invited to attend, but are not obligated to attend.
And something I didn’t know that made me happy – they work on toileting. It’s not a problem if TJ is not potty trained by September. They give the kids stickers every time they use the potty at school, a valuable commodity. Peer pressure probably works in a positive manner, as well. Any kids who aren’t potty trained will want to be like their friends who get the stickers. It’s a relief that we don’t need to stress about getting him potty trained by fall.
He’s growing up so fast.
But he’s got nine more months of being a toddler before he becomes a preschooler. He’s still my baby.
That’s me: Christina Gleason. I’m a writer, editor, and disability advocate. I'm a multiply disabled autistic lady doing my best in this world built for abled people. I’m a geek for grammar, fantasy, and casual gaming. I hate vegetables. I cannot reliably speak, so I’ll happily conduct business over email or messaging instead.
